Living in Cowen, West Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Cowen · Census data 2020–2024
Cowen has 485 residents with a median age of 36.5. The median household income is $27,708 (54% lower than the West Virginia median), the median home value is $52,100, the median rent is $675/month.
Cowen is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Cowen at a glance
- Population
- 485
- Median age
- 36.5State: 42.7
- Median household income
- $27,708State: $59,608
- Median home value
- $52,100State: $162,600
- Median rent
- $675/moState: $872
- Homeowners
- 56.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 7.8%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Cowen a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 68% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 54% lower than the West Virginia median; unemployment of 44%; a poverty rate of 35.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Cowen
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Cowen the median home value is $52,100, 84% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $675 per month, which is 39.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,272 a month in housing costs.
Cowen median household income
The median household income in Cowen is $27,708 and the income per person is $15,351. 35.9% of residents live below the poverty line (West Virginia: 16.7%).
Housing in Cowen: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 233
- Owner-occupied
- 56.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 43.5%
- Vacant
- 18%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1972
- Average household size
- 2.54
Cowen demographics
- Population
- 485
- Median age
- 36.5
- Under 18
- 21.6%
- 65 and older
- 17.7%
- Households
- 191
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 2.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Cowen ›
Education in Cowen
7.8% of adults 25 and older in Cowen have a bachelor's degree or higher (West Virginia: 24.1%), and 1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Cowen
- Unemployment rate
- 44%State: 5.4%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 0%
- Drive alone
- 67.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 12.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 81.7%
Cowen vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowen | 485 | $27,708 | $52,100 | $675 |
| Camden-on-Gauley | 182 | $55,917 | $93,500 | — |
| Tioga | 577 | $86,056 | — | — |
| Craigsville | 2,190 | $39,943 | $83,500 | $611 |
| Addison (Webster Springs) | 1,038 | $33,333 | $89,200 | $657 |
| Richwood | 2,403 | $30,833 | $70,000 | $682 |
| Summersville | 3,373 | $56,571 | $230,000 | $395 |
| Sutton | 797 | $42,817 | $87,700 | $684 |
| Gassaway | 688 | $33,500 | $94,400 | $463 |
More for people moving to Cowen
Cowen ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Cowen: FAQ
What is the median household income in Cowen, WV?
The median household income in Cowen is $27,708, 54% 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 Cowen?
The median home value in Cowen is $52,100, compared with $162,600 in West Virginia.
How much is rent in Cowen?
The median gross rent in Cowen is $675 per month, about 39.2% of household income.
Is Cowen, WV a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 68% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 54% lower than the West Virginia median; unemployment of 44%; a poverty rate of 35.9%.
What is the median age in Cowen?
The median age in Cowen is 36.5 years (West Virginia: 42.7).
How long is the commute in Cowen?
The average commute to work in Cowen is 21 minutes; 0% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Cowen?
The unemployment rate in Cowen is 44% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Cowen?
7.8% of adults in Cowen 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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