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CITY

Lester

West Virginia · 331 residents (2025 est.) · 0.501 sq mi
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The short version

Population has grown 17% since 2000. 11% 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 $89,400. With a median age of 56.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. The poverty rate of 41.4% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Older
median age 56.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 48%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
377
+17%since 2000
from 322 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
752 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 643 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
56.0
+34%since 2000
from 41.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:331 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2733734735726721990201020202024Lester
2024377
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Per capita income
$20,782
+88%since 2000
from $11,026 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
12.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
41.4%
+25.7 ptssince 2000
from 15.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.571
+59%since 2010
from 0.358 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing45.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing45.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing9.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Information2.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade0%
US avg: 9.9%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$89,400
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$850
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $392 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
74.3%
−9.5 ptssince 2000
from 83.8% in 2000
25.7% rent
Vacancy rate
13.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
52.2%
+50.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
66.7%
+66.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.8%(257)
Black19.9%(64)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score39.9%(128)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.1%(332)
Black1.3%(5)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other10.1%(38)
Diversity Score26.8%(101)
Diversity Score
27
−33%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.2%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
76.5%
+19.4 ptssince 2000
from 57.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.6%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 1.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
54.4 min
+136%since 2000
from 23.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
89.3%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 95.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.1%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% 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
1.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.6%
+5.6 ptssince 2011
from 0.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
30.4%
−6.6 ptssince 2011
from 36.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.1%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
11.9%
−50.5 ptssince 2009
from 62.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
60.2%
+18.1 ptssince 2009
from 42.2% in 2009
Female
39.8%
−18.1 ptssince 2009
from 57.8% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.5%
−38.2 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
26.0%
−4.4 ptssince 2012
from 30.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.0%
−83.1 ptssince 2013
from 88.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
65.8%
−7.9 ptssince 2017
from 73.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2016
from 98.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2016
from 1.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Lester to nearby cities

LESTER VS
Beckley
Income$45,826
Home value$158,000+77%
Population16,373+4847%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LESTER VS
Bluefield
Income$49,375
Home value$105,400+18%
Population9,158+2667%
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LESTER VS
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Income$65,812
Home value$203,300+127%
Population46,117+13833%
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LESTER VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884
Home value$155,400+74%
Population13,072+3849%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Lester, West Virginia?

Lester, West Virginia has about 377 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

Is Lester, West Virginia expensive?

In Lester, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $89,400, and the typical rent is about $850 a month.

How educated are people in Lester, West Virginia?

About 11.2% of adults age 25 and over in Lester, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lester, West Virginia?

About 41.4% of people in Lester, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lester, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Lester, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 105 residents, a change of about -22 percent over that period.

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

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