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CITY

Chester

West Virginia · 2,080 residents (2025 est.) · 0.999 sq mi
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The short version

Chester has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,607. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 413 residents. 22% 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 $112,000. With a median age of 52.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 52.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% 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
2,179
−16%since 2000
from 2,592 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,181 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 2,595 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
52.8
+31%since 2000
from 40.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,080 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K3K3K3K1990201020202024Chester
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,607
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,550 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,783
+85%since 2000
from $17,137 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.1%
+24.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.6%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 10.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.372
−16%since 2010
from 0.443 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade25.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services2.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$112,000
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$647
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $403 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
75.4%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 66.3% in 2000
24.6% rent
Vacancy rate
9.3%
−5.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.5%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 39.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
−6%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.8%(2,536)
Black0.2%(4)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(29)
Asian0.2%(5)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.6%(95)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.8%(2,044)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(34)
Asian0.7%(16)
Other3.9%(85)
Diversity Score14.8%(322)
Diversity Score
15
+305%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.5%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 87.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.7%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.9 min
+108%since 2000
from 14.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.8%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 83.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.7%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.2%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
12.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.7%
+8.7 ptssince 2011
from 5.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 57.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.0%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.5%
−26.2 ptssince 2009
from 59.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
40.2%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Female
59.8%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.7%
−40.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.8%
+2.4 ptssince 2012
from 18.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.4%
−80.0 ptssince 2013
from 86.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.8%
+18.1 ptssince 2017
from 68.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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CHESTER VS
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CHESTER VS
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CHESTER VS
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CHESTER VS
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Home value$92,100−18%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, West Virginia?

Chester, West Virginia has about 2,179 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Chester, West Virginia earns about $56,607 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chester, West Virginia expensive?

In Chester, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $112,000, and the typical rent is about $647 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, West Virginia?

About 22.5% of adults age 25 and over in Chester, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chester, West Virginia?

About 15.6% of people in Chester, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chester, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Chester, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 726 residents, a change of about -25 percent over that period.

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

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