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CITY · 2020 ACS

Parkersburg

West Virginia · 29,738 residents · 11.782 sq mi
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The short version

Parkersburg has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $37,933. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $89,800. The poverty rate of 22.1% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 6%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
29,738
−10%since 2000
from 33,099 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,524 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 2,809 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.9
+5%since 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
29K30K32K33K34K1990201020202024Parkersburg
202429K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,933
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,990 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,408
+45%since 2000
from $16,106 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
19.0%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.2%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$89,800
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$671
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $418 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
60.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 62.0% in 2000
40.0% rent
Afford Score
2.4
Unchangedsince 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Parkersburg on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.8%(31,710)
Black1.7%(556)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(269)
Asian0.4%(138)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.2%(2,387)
2020
White, non-Hispanic90.3%(26,851)
Black2%(591)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(514)
Asian0.5%(156)
Other1.4%(408)
Diversity Score14.1%(4,187)
Diversity Score
14
+95%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.3%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.5%
+11.9 ptssince 2000
from 75.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.0%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.8 min
+57%since 2000
from 10.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 77.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
15.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 8.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
50.7%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 55.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.5%
−30.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
Female
51.7%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
Foreign born
0.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.9%
−77.3 ptssince 2013
from 85.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Parkersburg to nearby cities

PARKERSBURG VS
Vienna
Income$60,388+59%
Home value$154,300+72%
Population10,321−64%
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PARKERSBURG VS
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Income$47,873+26%
Home value$161,800+80%
Population13,053−54%
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PARKERSBURG VS
Athens
Income$38,204+1%
Home value$247,000+175%
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PARKERSBURG VS
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Income$42,946+13%
Home value$121,900+36%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Parkersburg, West Virginia?

Parkersburg, West Virginia has about 29,738 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Parkersburg, West Virginia earns about $37,933 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Parkersburg, West Virginia expensive?

In Parkersburg, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $89,800, and the typical rent is about $671 a month.

How educated are people in Parkersburg, West Virginia?

About 16.3% of adults age 25 and over in Parkersburg, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Parkersburg, West Virginia?

About 22.1% of people in Parkersburg, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Parkersburg, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Parkersburg, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 4,071 residents, a change of about -12 percent over that period.

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

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