Living in Chester, West Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chester · Census data 2020–2024
Chester has 2,179 residents with a median age of 52.8. The median household income is $56,607 (5% lower than the West Virginia median), the median home value is $112,000, the median rent is $647/month.
Chester at a glance
- Population
- 2,179
- Median age
- 52.8State: 42.7
- Median household income
- $56,607State: $59,608
- Median home value
- $112,000State: $162,600
- Median rent
- $647/moState: $872
- Homeowners
- 75.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22.5%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Is Chester a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 31% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 15.6%.
Cons: Median household income 5% lower than the West Virginia median; an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 13.7%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Chester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chester the median home value is $112,000, 66% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $647 per month, which is 28.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $769 a month in housing costs.
Chester median household income
The median household income in Chester is $56,607 and the income per person is $31,783. 15.6% of residents live below the poverty line (West Virginia: 16.7%).
Housing in Chester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,251
- Owner-occupied
- 75.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 24.6%
- Vacant
- 9.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1950
- Average household size
- 1.92
Chester demographics
- Population
- 2,179
- Median age
- 52.8
- Under 18
- 15.1%
- 65 and older
- 30%
- Households
- 1,135
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 7.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chester ›
Education in Chester
22.5% of adults 25 and older in Chester have a bachelor's degree or higher (West Virginia: 24.1%), and 1.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chester
- Unemployment rate
- 13.7%State: 5.4%
- Average commute
- 30 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 6.7%
- Drive alone
- 81.8%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 3.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.8%
Chester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 2,179 | $56,607 | $112,000 | $647 |
| East Liverpool | 9,783 | $34,009 | $81,300 | $785 |
| Newell | 1,246 | $60,278 | $88,100 | $915 |
| La Croft | 915 | $50,054 | $106,100 | — |
| Georgetown | 341 | $89,500 | $140,600 | $1,125 |
| Glenmoor | 1,590 | $73,750 | $155,100 | $957 |
| Wellsville | 3,063 | $31,720 | $78,600 | $823 |
| Greene | 2,060 | $103,750 | $245,300 | $1,762 |
| Calcutta | 4,754 | $58,793 | $158,000 | $646 |
More for people moving to Chester
Chester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chester: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chester, WV?
The median household income in Chester is $56,607, 5% lower than the West Virginia median of $59,608 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Chester?
The median home value in Chester is $112,000, compared with $162,600 in West Virginia.
How much is rent in Chester?
The median gross rent in Chester is $647 per month, about 28.7% of household income.
Is Chester, WV a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 31% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 15.6%. Minuses: median household income 5% lower than the West Virginia median; an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 13.7%.
What is the median age in Chester?
The median age in Chester is 52.8 years (West Virginia: 42.7).
How long is the commute in Chester?
The average commute to work in Chester is 30 minutes; 6.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chester?
The unemployment rate in Chester is 13.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chester?
22.5% of adults in Chester have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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