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CITY · 2010 ACS

Cowen

West Virginia · 541 residents · 0.629 sq mi
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The short version

Cowen has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $30,652. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $40,300. The poverty rate of 27.9% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 41.7
US median: 37.2
Less educated
5% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
More affordable
home values down 25%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
541
+5%since 2000
from 513 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
860 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 816 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
41.7
+4%since 2000
from 40.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
4335356387418431990201020202024Cowen
2024485
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,652
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,250 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,778
+45%since 2000
from $10,893 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
11.7%
+6.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
27.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 27.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.387
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information25.7%
US avg: 11.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing15.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing15.2%
US avg: 0.5%
Finance & insurance6.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services3.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Retail trade1.9%
US avg: 10.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 3.1%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 7.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2.4%
Other services0%
US avg: 7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$40,300
−25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,700 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$435
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $350 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
26.1%
−46.7 ptssince 2000
from 72.8% in 2000
28.3% rent
Vacancy rate
22.9%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 24.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
23.1%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.9%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
1.3
−35%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cowen on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.2%(509)
Black0.2%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.5%(7)
2010
White, non-Hispanic98.3%(532)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score0%(0)
Diversity Score
0
−100%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
4.7%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
74.2%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 68.4% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
4.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.0 min
+27%since 2000
from 18.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
78.7%
−16.3 ptssince 2009
from 95.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
17.9%
+16.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
0.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
6.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
8.1%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
22.9%
−15.9 ptssince 2009
from 38.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
Female
50.8%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
6.6%
−42.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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Compare Cowen to nearby cities

COWEN VS
Beckley
Income$45,826+50%
Home value$158,000+292%
Population16,373+3421%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COWEN VS
Charleston
Income$65,812+115%
Home value$203,300+404%
Population46,117+9818%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COWEN VS
Clarksburg
Income$47,386+55%
Home value$129,900+222%
Population15,562+3247%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COWEN VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884+108%
Home value$155,400+286%
Population13,072+2711%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cowen, West Virginia?

Cowen, West Virginia has about 541 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cowen, West Virginia?

The typical household in Cowen, West Virginia earns about $30,652 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cowen, West Virginia expensive?

In Cowen, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $40,300, and the typical rent is about $435 a month.

How educated are people in Cowen, West Virginia?

About 4.7% of adults age 25 and over in Cowen, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cowen, West Virginia?

About 27.9% of people in Cowen, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cowen, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Cowen, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 43 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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