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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Beckley

West Virginia · 17,254 residents · 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 $28,122. Population has declined 6% since 1990. Median home value is $71,300. With a median age of 41.6, the population is older than the US median of 35.2. The poverty rate of 20.9% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 41.6
US median: 35.2
Average education
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,254
−6%since 1990
from 18,296 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,817 / sq mi
−6%since 1990
from 1,926 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
41.6
+5%since 1990
from 39.5 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K17K17K18K18K1990201020202024Beckley
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$28,122
+12%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $19,110 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,912
+53%since 1990
from $12,371 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
20.9%
−0.5 ptssince 1990
from 21.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$71,300
+9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $49,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$409
−1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $312 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
63.3%
+1.6 ptssince 1990
from 61.6% in 1990
36.7% rent
Afford Score
2.5
−3%since 1990
from 2.6 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Beckley on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic76.4%(13,984)
Black21.8%(3,981)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(107)
Asian1.5%(282)
Diversity Score46.9%(8,588)
2000
White, non-Hispanic73.2%(12,635)
Black22.8%(3,932)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(128)
Asian1.9%(325)
Diversity Score49.4%(8,521)
Diversity Score
49
+5%since 1990
from 47 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.0%
+1.7 ptssince 1990
from 19.3% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
80.2%
+8.6 ptssince 1990
from 71.6% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
8.1%
−0.3 ptssince 1990
from 8.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.4 min
+2%since 1990
from 13.2 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Beckley to nearby cities

BECKLEY VS
Bluefield
Income$49,375+76%
Home value$105,400+48%
Population9,158−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BECKLEY VS
Charleston
Income$65,812+134%
Home value$203,300+185%
Population46,117+182%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BECKLEY VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884+127%
Home value$155,400+118%
Population13,072−20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BECKLEY VS
Pulaski
Income$49,491+76%
Home value$160,500+125%
Population8,807−46%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Beckley, West Virginia?

Beckley, West Virginia has about 17,254 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Beckley, West Virginia earns about $28,122 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 $71,300, and the typical rent is about $409 a month.

How educated are people in Beckley, West Virginia?

About 21.0% 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 20.9% 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 1,042 residents, a change of about -6 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 →