CensusEasy
CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Lester

West Virginia · 322 residents · 0.501 sq mi
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The short version

Lester has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $24,375. Population has fallen 33% since 1990, a loss of 160 residents. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $33,100. With a median age of 41.8, the population is older than the US median of 35.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 41.8
US median: 35.2
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 6%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
322
−33%since 1990
from 482 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Median age
41.8
+13%since 1990
from 36.8 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
2733734735726721990201020202024Lester
2024377
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2000
Under 59%(29)
US avg: 6.8%
5 to 94.7%(15)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 143.4%(11)
US avg: 7.3%
15 to 195.6%(18)
US avg: 7.2%
20 to 246.8%(22)
US avg: 6.7%
25 to 3412.1%(39)
US avg: 14.2%
35 to 4414%(45)
US avg: 16%
45 to 5414.3%(46)
US avg: 13.4%
55 to 6413%(42)
US avg: 8.6%
65 to 749%(29)
US avg: 6.5%
75 to 843.7%(12)
US avg: 4.4%
85 and over4.3%(14)
US avg: 1.5%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$24,375
−8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $20,208 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2023
Per capita income
$11,026
−11%since 1990
from $12,378 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
15.7%
−0.1 ptssince 1990
from 15.8% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$33,100
−6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $26,600 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$392
+11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $267 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
83.8%
+5.4 ptssince 1990
from 78.4% in 1990
16.2% rent
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic67.4%(325)
Black32.6%(157)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
2000
White, non-Hispanic79.8%(257)
Black19.9%(64)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Mexican0.5%(2)
Ancestry
English60.5%(228)
German9.3%(35)
Polish4.2%(16)
Dutch4%(15)
Irish3.7%(14)
American2.1%(8)
Italian0.3%(1)
RANKED:Largest English population · Largest German population · Largest Polish population · Largest Dutch population · Largest Irish population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.1%
+0.3 ptssince 1990
from 6.8% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
57.1%
+5.5 ptssince 1990
from 51.6% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
1.2%
−3.7 ptssince 1990
from 4.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.0 min
−1%since 1990
from 23.2 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.

Marital status
Men 15+
Never married12.6%(14)
Married65.8%(73)
Widowed7.2%(8)
Divorced14.4%(16)
Women 15+
Never married13.7%(23)
Married47.6%(80)
Widowed21.4%(36)
Divorced17.3%(29)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Drill deeper

Places similar to Lester

Nobleton
Pop 386
Barwick
Pop 352
Midville
Pop 380
Harrison
Pop 318
Places similar to Lester
Head to head

Compare Lester to nearby cities

LESTER VS
Beckley
Income$45,826+88%
Home value$158,000+377%
Population16,373+4847%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LESTER VS
Bluefield
Income$49,375+103%
Home value$105,400+218%
Population9,158+2667%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LESTER VS
Charleston
Income$65,812+170%
Home value$203,300+514%
Population46,117+13833%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LESTER VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884+162%
Home value$155,400+369%
Population13,072+3849%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lester, West Virginia?

Lester, West Virginia has about 322 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Lester, West Virginia earns about $24,375 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lester, West Virginia expensive?

In Lester, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $33,100, and the typical rent is about $392 a month.

How educated are people in Lester, West Virginia?

About 7.1% 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 15.7% 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 160 residents, a change of about -33 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 →