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CITY

Alderson

West Virginia · 925 residents (2025 est.) · 0.894 sq mi
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The short version

Alderson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $32,212. Population has grown 27% since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $130,400. With a median age of 53.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 46% less than the West Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 53.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,383
+27%since 2000
from 1,091 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,547 / sq mi
+27%since 2000
from 1,220 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
53.3
+29%since 2000
from 41.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:925 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
9281K1K1K1K1990201020202024Alderson
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,212
−23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,043 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,158
+39%since 2000
from $14,474 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
19.4%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
45.8%
+22.9 ptssince 2000
from 22.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.496
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.495 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance20%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical20%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade12.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade10.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing8.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction8.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Information3.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$130,400
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
70.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 70.1% in 2000
29.3% rent
Vacancy rate
8.4%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
41.8%
+14.7 ptssince 2009
from 27.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
49.5%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.0
+55%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
26
RELATED:See current rent listings in Alderson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.7%(979)
Black6.6%(72)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(12)
Asian0.2%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score18.8%(205)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.4%(1,278)
Black5.8%(80)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(13)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.9%(12)
Diversity Score17.8%(246)
Diversity Score
18
−5%since 2000
from 19 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
68.8%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 72.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.2%
−3.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
60.9 min
+215%since 2000
from 19.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.7%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 74.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
1.7%
−13.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.3%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
15.2%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.2%
−6.0 ptssince 2011
from 9.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
26.4%
−25.3 ptssince 2011
from 51.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.7%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
22.7%
−40.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.7%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Female
45.3%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Foreign born
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.4%
−35.7 ptssince 2009
from 43.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
32.9%
+5.2 ptssince 2012
from 27.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.8%
−78.1 ptssince 2013
from 82.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
70.1%
−6.4 ptssince 2017
from 76.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2016
from 99.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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ALDERSON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Alderson, West Virginia?

Alderson, West Virginia has about 1,383 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Alderson, West Virginia earns about $32,212 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Alderson, West Virginia expensive?

In Alderson, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $130,400.

How educated are people in Alderson, West Virginia?

About 12.4% of adults age 25 and over in Alderson, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Alderson, West Virginia?

About 45.8% of people in Alderson, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Alderson, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Alderson, West Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 225 residents, a change of about 19 percent over that period.

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

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