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CITY

Beckley

West Virginia · 16,373 residents (2025 est.) · 9.498 sq mi
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The short version

Beckley has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $45,826. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $158,000. The poverty rate of 28.9% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
29% 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
16,818
−3%since 2000
from 17,254 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,771 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 1,817 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.3
+2%since 2000
from 41.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:16,373 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
16K17K17K18K18K1990201020202024Beckley
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,826
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,122 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,431
+66%since 2000
from $18,912 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.7%
+16.0 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
28.9%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 20.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.536
+5%since 2010
from 0.513 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance4.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food3.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade2.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade1.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing1.3%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$158,000
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$869
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $409 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
55.4%
−7.9 ptssince 2000
from 63.3% in 2000
44.6% rent
Vacancy rate
18.3%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.2%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.1%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 39.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+36%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
52
RELATED:See current rent listings in Beckley on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic73.2%(12,635)
Black22.8%(3,932)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(128)
Asian1.9%(325)
Other0%
Diversity Score49.4%(8,521)
2024
White, non-Hispanic70.6%(11,881)
Black16.5%(2,767)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(600)
Asian2.7%(446)
Other6.7%(1,124)
Diversity Score58.4%(9,826)
Diversity Score
58
+18%since 2000
from 49 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.2%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 21.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.0%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 80.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
12.0%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 8.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.5 min
+23%since 2000
from 13.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.7%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 82.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.5%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.3%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.7%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
17.0%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.2%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 6.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
50.4%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 52.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.8%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
36.3%
−26.0 ptssince 2009
from 62.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
51.2%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
3.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.0%
−40.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2012
from 20.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.0%
−81.2 ptssince 2013
from 84.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.8%
+8.8 ptssince 2017
from 74.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 94.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 2.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Beckley to nearby cities

BECKLEY VS
Bluefield
Income$49,375+8%
Home value$105,400−33%
Population9,158−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BECKLEY VS
Charleston
Income$65,812+44%
Home value$203,300+29%
Population46,117+182%
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BECKLEY VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884+39%
Home value$155,400−2%
Population13,072−20%
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BECKLEY VS
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Income$49,491+8%
Home value$160,500+2%
Population8,807−46%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Beckley, West Virginia?

Beckley, West Virginia has about 16,818 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Beckley, West Virginia earns about $45,826 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Beckley, West Virginia expensive?

In Beckley, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $158,000, and the typical rent is about $869 a month.

How educated are people in Beckley, West Virginia?

About 29.2% of adults age 25 and over in Beckley, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Beckley, West Virginia?

About 28.9% of people in Beckley, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Beckley, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Beckley, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,478 residents, a change of about -8 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →