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City · 6,811 residents · Randolph County, West Virginia

Elkins , West Virginia

In Elkins, a typical home is worth $152,700 and typical rent is $903 a month. Compared with all of Randolph County, typical household income is 16% lower, typical rent is 10% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 17 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $152,700

    5% above the county

    6% below West Virginia

    • Elkins
    • Randolph
    • West Virginia

  • Typical rent

    $903a month

    10% above the county

    4% above West Virginia

    • Elkins
    • Randolph
    • West Virginia

  • Typical household income

    $44,217a year

    16% below the county

    26% below West Virginia

    • Elkins
    • Randolph
    • West Virginia

  • Households that own their home

    58%

    17 points below the county

    16 points below West Virginia

    • Elkins
    • Randolph
    • West Virginia

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$173,574
1.8% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Elkins is in Randolph County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Randolph County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Elkins apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Elkins has the 2nd lowest typical household income of the 31 cities in West Virginia with more than 5,000 people ($44,217).

  2. 58% of households in Elkins own their home, against 75% in Randolph County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Elkins

What homes there are in Elkins, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

The detached house is still the most common home in Elkins, but it weighs less than in Randolph County: 66% against 70%.

Year built

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,071 a month

Randolph County: $1,024 a month

Without a mortgage

$394 a month

Randolph County: $373 a month

Owners with a mortgage

51%

Randolph County: 38%

Owning costs about the same in Elkins as in Randolph County: with a mortgage, $1,071 a month; without one, $394.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Elkins rose 24%; in Randolph County, it rose 31%.

The typical rent in Elkins rose 43% over the same time; in Randolph County, it rose 25%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureElkinsRandolph CountyWest VirginiaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate6.7%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1.2%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1.3%3.4%
People per household 2.202.372.372.53
Drive alone 73%78%78%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate7%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate2%3%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate8%9%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate5%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

On average, a household in Elkins has 2.20 people, fewer than in Randolph County (2.37).

To get to work, 73% of workers in Elkins drive alone; in Randolph County, 78%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Elkins?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Elkins, worth $152,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 33% of the typical household income in Elkins, which is $44,217 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $51,606 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Randolph County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Elkins. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $5,345 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,204

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$149,934
Total interest
$215,719
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,579 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,032 a month

  • Tight

    $1,032 to $1,327 a month

    Your payment · 33%

  • Hard

    more than $1,327 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Elkins ($44,217 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,204
Principal & interest$1,016
Property tax$57
Home insurance$64
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$68

You need at least $5,345 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Elkins and Randolph County

Elkins is in Randolph County, West Virginia. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Elkins's own numbers

Typical home value
$152,700
Typical monthly rent
$903
Typical yearly household income
$44,217
Households that own their home
58%
Effective property tax rate
0.45%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Randolph County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$975
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+43%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
8.4%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Randolph County.

Everything about Randolph County

Buying

Buying a home in Elkins

A typical home in Elkins is worth $152,700: 5% above the county and 6% below West Virginia. With the typical household income in Elkins ($44,217 a year), a typical home costs 3.5 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Elkins 3.5 years
  • Randolph 2.7 years
  • West Virginia 2.7 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Randolph County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Randolph County rose 52% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Randolph County.

Period County West Virginia U.S.
Last year (2025) +6.0% +4.1% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +43% +40% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +52% +54% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Elkins next to Randolph County, West Virginia and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Elkins $152,700
  • Randolph $144,800
  • West Virginia $162,600
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Elkins $903
  • Randolph $821
  • West Virginia $872
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Elkins $44,217
  • Randolph $52,757
  • West Virginia $59,608
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Elkins next to Randolph County and West Virginia
Measure Elkins Randolph County West Virginia U.S.
Typical home value $152,700 $144,800 $162,600 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $903 $821 $872 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $44,217 $52,757 $59,608 $80,734
Households that own their home 58% 75% 75% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $684 $559 $865 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.45% 0.39% 0.53% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 56% 45% 49% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Randolph County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Elkins

For a typical $152,700 home in Elkins, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Elkins's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,204a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $5,345
    Cash to close
    $9,926
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $68

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,176a month

    Down payment
    $7,635
    Cash to close
    $12,216
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $73

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $948a month

    Down payment
    $30,540
    Cash to close
    $35,121
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,090a month

    Down payment
    $22,905
    Cash to close
    $27,486
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Elkins and for Randolph County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Elkins

0.45%of the home’s value each year

$684 a year for the typical owner in Elkins.

  • Elkins 0.45%
  • Randolph 0.39%
  • West Virginia 0.53%

What West Virginia publishes $20,000 homestead exemption for owners 65 or older or disabled (West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code))

Exemptions and deadlines in West Virginia

Flood risk in Randolph County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Randolph County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
8.4%
989
Of those, with NFIP insurance
8.4%
County West Virginia U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 8.4% 8.1% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 8.4% 10% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Elkins

Typical rent in Elkins is $903 a month: 10% above the county. In Elkins, 56% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Randolph County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($975 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $18.75 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Randolph County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $731 $14.06 $29,240
1 bedroom $745 $14.33 $29,800
2 bedrooms $975 $18.75 $39,000
3 bedrooms $1,207 $23.21 $48,280
4 bedrooms $1,555 $29.90 $62,200

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Elkins

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Elkins is in ZIP code 26241.

For 2 bedrooms it is $970: $5 less than the fair market rent for Randolph County ($975).

  • 26241 $970$1,200

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Elkins when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Elkins

HUD lists 6 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Elkins. These are the largest.

  • Elkins Manor 100 Tallman Ave, Elkins 26241 103 homes, 102 low-income · For older adults (304) 636-2583
  • Gateway Apartments Elkins 26241 80 homes, 78 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Elkins · Average payment: $424 a month (304) 636-6793
  • Valley Village Apts 218 Ward Rd, Elkins 26241 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 24 · In service since 2007 · For older adults
  • Randolph Village Apts 302 Nathan St, Elkins 26241 44 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2000
  • Tygart Valley Apts 330 Wilson Ln, Elkins 26241 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 30 · 2 bd: 2 · In service since 1995

See all 8 buildings in Randolph County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Elkins

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Randolph County; none says it serves in Spanish.

A man smiles on a bench outside his apartment building.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Elkins

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Elkins or Randolph County. The ones below are statewide in West Virginia: they work in Elkins the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in West Virginia

  • Low Down Home Loan

    Statewide in West Virginia

    West Virginia state fund loan of up to $12,000 for the down payment and closing costs, over 15 years at 2% interest, only with the Homeownership Program mortgage. Offered by West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF).

    Repayable

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Elkins

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Elkins, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Homeownership Center, Inc.

    2276 Randolph Ave, Elkins · 4 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 7 more
    (304) 636-9115

  • The Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority

    103 12th St, Fairmont · 41 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Home improvement and repairs
    • and 5 more
    (304) 363-0860

  • CCCS of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Inc.

    2435 Dudley Avenue, Parkersburg · 94 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 7 more
    (304) 485-3141

Every agency in Randolph County All counseling agencies in West Virginia

Help in Spanish near Elkins

None of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Elkins

HUD’s record names them for Elkins or Randolph County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Housing Authority of the City of Elkins Public housing (304) 636-6793
  • Housing Authority of Randolph County Section 8 vouchers (304) 636-6495

All housing agencies in West Virginia Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Elkins, with the typical home value.

Everything about Randolph County Housing in West Virginia

Neighboring counties

If Randolph County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Elkins.

All guides
A mother holds her laughing daughter on a grey sofa.

Questions

Housing questions about Elkins

Short answers with the numbers for Elkins and all of Randolph County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Elkins?

The typical home value in Elkins is $152,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Randolph County it is $144,800.

How much does it cost to rent in Elkins?

Typical rent in Elkins is $903 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Randolph County is $975.

What is the FHA loan limit in Elkins?

Elkins uses the FHA limit for all of Randolph County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Elkins?

The typical homeowner in Elkins pays $684 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.45% of the home’s value; in Randolph County, the rate is 0.39%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Elkins?

There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Randolph County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).