The Town FilesMarlinton, West Virginia
Town in Pocahontas County · population 998 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $93,900
- Household income
- $37,273
- Jan low / Jul high
- 16° / 78°
- Snow a year
- 43 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 1
- Median age
- 42.5
Marlinton is a town of 998 people in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The median home is worth $93,900, below the typical West Virginia town ($125,000). It ranks better for a vacation home than 99% of West Virginia towns, quieter than 91% of West Virginia towns, better for retirees than 81% of West Virginia towns.
How Marlinton ranks
Percentile among West Virginia towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of West Virginia towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Marlinton is worth $93,900, below the typical West Virginia town ($125,000). Homes cost about 2.5 times the median household income of $37,273, which is more affordable than 52% of West Virginia towns. Median rent is $722 a month. 60.0% of households own their home.
| Housing | Marlinton | Typical West Virginia town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $93,900 | $125,000 |
| Median rent | $722 | $811 |
| Median household income | $37,273 | $52,093 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.5× | 2.5× |
| Homeownership | 60.0% | 70.7% |
| Median year built | 1963 | 1965 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 13.5% | — |
Who lives in Marlinton
| People | Marlinton | Typical West Virginia town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.5 | 43.6 |
| Age 65 and over | 24.5% | 21.9% |
| Under 18 | 18.3% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.0% | 18.6% |
| Below the poverty line | 34.9% | 18.6% |
| Veterans | 9.5% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.3% | — |
| Work from home | 5.6% | 6.6% |
| Average commute | 18.1 min | 22.2 min |
| Homes with broadband | 92.8% | 86.7% |
Weather in Marlinton
July highs average 78.4°F and January lows 16.2°F. About 44.9 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 42.5 inches of snow (typical West Virginia town: 23.8 in). Expect about 1 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 167 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
1 tornado has passed within 10 miles of Marlinton since 1950, compared with 5 for the typical West Virginia town. The strongest, an EFU, struck on September 25, 2024 about 7.5 miles from the town center. The most recent was on September 25, 2024.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 4 times; the largest was 1.00 inches on April 9, 2021.
Severe weather in Pocahontas County since 1996
Pocahontas County has been included in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3639: Severe Winter Storm |
| April 3, 2020 | Biological | DR-4517: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3450: Covid-19 |
| June 25, 2016 | Flood | DR-4273: Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides |
| November 27, 2012 | Hurricane | DR-4093: Hurricane Sandy |
Jobs and pay in Pocahontas County
Pocahontas County had 2,975 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $41,144 a year. Unemployment was 4.5% in 2023; in Marlinton itself the ACS puts it at 21.9%.
Public schools in Marlinton
2 public schools with 346 students, about 12.4 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marlinton Elementary School | PK-5 | 211 | 12.4 |
| Marlinton Middle School | 6-8 | 135 | 12.3 |
Towns near Marlinton
- Hot Springs, VA21.0 mi · 524 people · home $260,100
- Richwood, WV24.4 mi · 1,660 people · home $70,000
- Addison (Webster Springs), WV24.6 mi · 731 people · home $89,200
Marlinton questions
Is Marlinton, West Virginia a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Marlinton scores better for retirees than 81% of West Virginia towns and quieter than 91%. 24.5% of residents are 65 or older (median age 42.5).
How much does a house cost in Marlinton?
The median owner-occupied home in Marlinton is valued at $93,900 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $37,273, so homes cost about 2.5 times income. Median rent is $722 a month.
What is the weather like in Marlinton?
July highs average 78.4°F and January lows 16.2°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 44.9 inches of precipitation a year and 42.5 inches of snow.
Does Marlinton get tornadoes?
1 tornado has passed within 10 miles of Marlinton since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EFU on September 25, 2024. The typical West Virginia town has had 5.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)