Parkersburg

Parkersburg, West Virginia Overview

Parkersburg faces challenges across several categories, earning a D grade (42.6/100) and ranking #16 of 20 cities in West Virginia. Even so, the city scores 87/100 in Affordability — a relative bright spot compared to its Health score of 11/100.

Income & Employment in Parkersburg

The median household income in Parkersburg is $44,675, 18% below the statewide median of $54,515. The local unemployment rate of 4.4% is lower than the state’s 4.7%. Population declined 0.5%.

Safety in Parkersburg

Parkersburg reports 265.9 violent crimes per 100,000, roughly in line with the statewide rate of 285 per 100,000. The property crime rate is 3577.5 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Parkersburg

With a cost of living index of 88.2, Parkersburg is well below the national average of 100, offering meaningful savings on everyday expenses. The median home value is $113,900. Median monthly rent is $746. Renters spend 20.0% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Parkersburg

The adult obesity rate in Parkersburg is 46.6%, above the national average and a factor in the city’s health profile. Diabetes prevalence is elevated at 18.6%. Residents report an average of 23.4 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. West Virginia ranks #48 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Parkersburg

Parkersburg has a high school graduation rate of 89%. The student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Per-pupil spending is $13,900. The city has 16 public schools serving 7,978 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Parkersburg

The annual average temperature in Parkersburg is 49.2°F. Summers average 71.8°F. Winters average 29.6°F. Annual precipitation is 38.2 inches. The average commute of 16.5 minutes is notably short.

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