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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Lester

West Virginia · 322 residents · 0.50 sq mi
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The short version

With 322 people, Lester is a city in West Virginia. Four-year degrees are less common here than nationally, at 7% of adults. The median age is 41.8, about 7 years above the US median. 84% of homes are owner-occupied. The typical home is worth $33,100. The population has fallen 33% since 1990.

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

322
−33%since 1990
from 482 in 1990
1990 – 2025
41.8
+13%since 1990
from 36.8 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Land area
0.50 sq mi
Population, 19902024
27337347357267219902000201020202024Lester
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

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

Housing

$33,100
−6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $26,600 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$392
+11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $267 in 1990
US average: $602
83.8%
+5.4 ptssince 1990
from 78.4% in 1990
16.2% rent
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)
Section 05

Education

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%
1.2%
−3.7 ptssince 1990
from 4.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

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
Section 09

Health coverage

Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).

5.0%
−6.9 ptssince 2013
from 11.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
61.8%
+2.3 ptssince 2020
from 59.5% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
40.6%
+23.0 ptssince 2020
from 17.6% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
31.6%
+9.9 ptssince 2020
from 21.7% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
41.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2020
from 42.4% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
6.1%
+2.7 ptssince 2020
from 3.4% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
63.7%
−1.9 ptssince 2020
from 65.6% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
72.7%
+9.6 ptssince 2020
from 63.1% in 2020
US average: 36.7%

Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.

Section 09 · Service history

Veterans

Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)80%(8)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)0%(0)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era20%(2)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War0%(0)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%

Share of the 10 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.

BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
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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 →