Given, WV Utility & Living Guide

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Tier 3 Location

Given, WV Utility & Living Guide

Given is an unincorporated community in southwestern Jackson County, West Virginia, United States. It lies at the intersection of Rock Castle, Shamblin Run, and Wolfe Creek Roads, south of the city of Ripley, the county seat of Jackson County. Its elevation is 689 feet (210 m). Although Given is uni

Last updated: June 26, 2026
Total Utilities$350/mo
1BR Rent$900/mo
Sales Tax6%
COL Index94 (-6% below national average)
Family Score8/10
Median Home$180,000
📷 Live Cameras — Given
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🌤️ Live Weather — Given
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🚨 City In The News
Given, West Virginia, a village of roughly 1,200 residents, is about as far from the chaos of a UFC broadcast booth as one can get. While Dana White’s now-viral tirade against his production team—for mistakenly labeling boxer Shakur Stevenson as NBA player Jalen Williams—captured national attention for its frustration, it also serves as a peculiar backdrop for anyone considering a move here. In Given, the biggest production disasters involve a slow internet connection or a broken well pump, not million-dollar broadcast errors. This quiet, unincorporated community offers what the UFC boss cannot buy: predictable, low-stakes living. For potential transplants, the appeal is straightforward. Housing costs in Given are a fraction of what you would pay in a metropolitan area, with property taxes among the lowest in the nation. Life here moves at the pace of a winding backroad, not a corporate deadline. When your biggest headline is a mislabeled athlete from a sport no one is watching, you know you have traded the spectacle for substance. The cost of that trade is convenience—shopping, dining, and healthcare require a drive to Charleston or Huntington. As White screams at a teleprompter error, Given embodies the quiet correction to that noise. It is a place where a mistake is just a mistake, not a viral crisis. For those seeking affordability and a slower pulse, this town is the off-switch you have been looking for. With no UFC events on the calendar and a landscape that demands nothing of you, Given is worth watching for what it lacks.
⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Given
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💰 Budget Calculator
🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
👨‍👩‍👧 Families
🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$140/mo

Mon Power
🔥 Gas

$60/mo

Mountaineer Gas
💧 Water

$50/mo

Jackson County Public Service District
🗑️ Garbage

$30/mo

Jackson County Solid Waste Authority
📶 Internet

$70/mo

Combined Average Overhead$350/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom$900/mo
2 Bedrooms$1200/mo
3 Bedrooms$1600/mo
Median Home Price$180,000
Property Tax Rate0.8%
Avg Childcare/mo$800

The housing market in Given is relatively affordable, with a range of options from older homes to new constructions. Rentals are also available, though options may be limited. The area is seeing some growth, attracting families and retirees.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

94

US national avg = 100
vs National Avg

-6% below national average

Groceries

95

Transportation

88

Healthcare

105

Childcare/mo

$800

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax6%
Property Tax Rate0.8%
<p>State 6% + County 0%</p>

West Virginia has a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 3% to 6.5%

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score
8/10
Safety Index

70

Higher = safer
School Rating

7/10

GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare

$800/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend
+2% (growing)
Political Climate
Red
Business Momentum
Moderate, with key industries in manufacturing, tourism, and small business development
Top Local Concerns
Economic growth, infrastructure development, public services
🚌 Transit for Families

Given has limited public transit, but the area is relatively flat and walkable, making it accessible for strollers and families.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions
  • 🎯
    Jackson County Park
  • 🎯
    Cedar Lakes Conference Center
  • 🎯
    Mountwood Park

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The area around Given offers a mix of rural and suburban living, with neighborhoods like Ripley and Ravenswood being popular for families due to their schools and community amenities.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Given based on your household profile.

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📊 Given — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Summer months see higher electric bills due to air conditioning usage, while winter months result in higher gas bills for heating. Residents can expect to pay around 10-20% more for utilities during these peak seasons.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

The ZIP code 25245 has a property tax millage rate of 12.5 mills, with no local surtaxes

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

Score: 6, Given has decent sidewalk quality and park access, but limited elevator access in transit and variable family infrastructure, making it somewhat stroller-friendly.

📍 Given City Stories

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Given, West Virginia — “We are the worst” – Dana White goes off on UFC 329 producti

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📰 Latest WV Stories
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West Virginia Living Report — July 27, 2026

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West Virginia Living Report — July 24, 2026

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Considering a move to West Virginia means reckoning with a state that offers an extremely low cost of...

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