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West Virginia›Randolph County

NortonWV

The town, settled in 1919, counts 196 residents.

Is Norton a good place to live?

Norton’s median age is 76.2 years, where West Virginia’s towns sit at 42.2 years and U.S. towns at 40.5 years. Of the 62 West Virginia towns we compare, none has a higher share of homes lived in by their owners than Norton. Norton has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.

Small town

196 people, and everyone knows the way

In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.

Nearby towns
Getting set up

Moving to Norton: who provides what

Norton is unincorporated, so Randolph County and regional agencies provide most services.

PowerMon Power14.3¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterNorton Harding Jimtown PSDNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesRandolph CountyRandolph County provides services here
SchoolsRandolph County School DistrictWhich school depends on your addressNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn West Virginia you can register online until 21 days before Election Day, in person until 21 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 21 days before).vote.gov
Who runs elections hereRandolph Clerk of the County CommissionRandolph County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2021
ZIP codes26285, 2625726285 79% · 26257 21%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Norton.

Work & commute

Norton stands out in West Virginia and nationally, with fewer of its working residents who work locally

Nearly one in ten residents live below the poverty line in Norton. Between 2013 and 2023, jobs here rose by 88, to 96. The top destinations are Elkins (27%), Buckhannon (5%) and Mill Creek (3%). Half commute less than 14 miles.

1%work in town
NortonWest Virginia townsU.S. towns
Working residents who work in town0.8%14%8%
Below the poverty line8.2%16%9.6%

Where working residents work

In Norton1%
Elkins27%
Buckhannon5%
Mill Creek3%
Belington3%
14 mi
median commute distance
96
jobs based in Norton
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

Natural hazards

Norton faces a high natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding

90% of Norton’s expected losses from natural hazards come from inland flooding. Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 73% of U.S. communities.

73risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
73High riskLowerHigher
Inland flooding

FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Climate

Norton: snowy winters and pleasant summers

A winter brings about 69 inches of snow, with January nights at 21° and July afternoons at 81°.

69″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter23–42°
Spring39–62°
Summer58–80°
Fall41–64°
Oct 12
typical first frost
May 5
typical last frost
+1.4°
vs. the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Health

How healthy Norton is

The share of adults in Norton who sleep under 7 hours: 40%. The town beats the West Virginia average on 4 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 2. Among adults in the town, 31% have been diagnosed with depression and 13% binge drink.

NortonWest Virginia townsU.S. towns
High blood pressure (CDC PLACES)47%44%35%
Depression (CDC PLACES)31%31%23%
Binge drink (CDC PLACES)13%14%16%
Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES)18%17%14%
32 measures vs. West Virginia
4 better26 too close to call2 worse
What stands outNortonWV
Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off8.8%11%
Fewer adults without reliable transportation7.5%8.9%
More adults who have had cancer11.5%9.6%
Davis Medical Center
6.2 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Norton

15pages on Norton
After high school

Colleges nearby

2 within 15 miles of the center of Norton

A commuter town

99% of working residents leave Norton for work

Where Norton’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.

27% → Elkins Elkins 27% 5% → Buckhannon Buckhannon 5% 3% → Mill Creek Mill Creek 3% 3% → Belington Belington 3% 2% → Beverly Beverly 2% 2% → Philippi Philippi 2% Norton · 1% stay
96jobs based in Norton
1%of working residents work in town
14 mimedian commute distance

Census LEHD 2023

Questions about Norton

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Norton, WV a good place to live?

Norton has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.