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CITY · 2010 ACS

Beckley

West Virginia · 17,614 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 $31,480. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $95,400. The poverty rate of 25.0% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 41.6
US median: 37.2
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,614
+2%since 2000
from 17,254 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,854 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 1,817 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
41.6
Unchangedsince 2000
from 41.6 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K17K17K18K18K1990201020202024Beckley
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,480
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,122 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,122
+17%since 2000
from $18,912 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
18.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
25.0%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 20.9% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.513
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information18.5%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services8.6%
US avg: 7%
Public administration6.2%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing4.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food4%
US avg: 2.4%
Retail trade3.3%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade3%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$95,400
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$526
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $409 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
34.1%
−29.1 ptssince 2000
from 63.3% in 2000
40.1% rent
Vacancy rate
15.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
24.5%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 20.8% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.8%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 39.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.0
+20%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic71.7%(12,635)
Black21%(3,704)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(265)
Asian2.4%(428)
Other3.7%(644)
Diversity Score55.4%(9,754)
Diversity Score
55
+12%since 2000
from 49 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 21.0% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
82.6%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 80.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
9.6%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 8.1% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.6 min
+31%since 2000
from 13.4 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
82.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 82.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
5.9%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
5.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
13.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
16.0%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
33.4%
−29.0 ptssince 2009
from 62.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
54.9%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
3.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
13.7%
−34.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare Beckley to nearby cities

BECKLEY VS
Bluefield
Income$49,375+57%
Home value$105,400+10%
Population9,158−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BECKLEY VS
Charleston
Income$65,812+109%
Home value$203,300+113%
Population46,117+182%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BECKLEY VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884+103%
Home value$155,400+63%
Population13,072−20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BECKLEY VS
Pulaski
Income$49,491+57%
Home value$160,500+68%
Population8,807−46%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Beckley, West Virginia?

Beckley, West Virginia has about 17,614 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Beckley, West Virginia earns about $31,480 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 $95,400, and the typical rent is about $526 a month.

How educated are people in Beckley, West Virginia?

About 22.4% 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 25.0% 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 682 residents, a change of about -4 percent over that period.

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

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