CensusEasy
CITY

Rainelle

West Virginia · 1,180 residents (2025 est.) · 1.113 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Rainelle has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $35,625. Population has declined 6% since 2000. 13% 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 $80,800. With a median age of 48.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 40% less than the West Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 48.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% 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
1,458
−6%since 2000
from 1,545 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,310 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 1,388 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
48.8
+6%since 2000
from 45.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,180 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Rainelle
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,625
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $19,491 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,745
+55%since 2000
from $14,069 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
17.5%
+12.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
29.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 28.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.472
+6%since 2010
from 0.443 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information20.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services14.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration12.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing3.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services2.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Retail trade2.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$80,800
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$663
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $278 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
66.9%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 64.2% in 2000
33.1% rent
Vacancy rate
12.5%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.4%
−12.1 ptssince 2009
from 36.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.3
+17%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
33
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rainelle on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.6%(1,493)
Black0.7%(11)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(10)
Asian0.1%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.8%(58)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.5%(1,290)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(17)
Asian0%(0)
Other10.4%(151)
Diversity Score25.8%(376)
Diversity Score
26
+587%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.6%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
80.7%
+16.7 ptssince 2000
from 64.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 2.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.8 min
+51%since 2000
from 21.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 77.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.2%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.6%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% 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
10.0%
−10.2 ptssince 2009
from 20.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.7%
−15.5 ptssince 2011
from 18.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
44.8%
+3.9 ptssince 2011
from 40.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.5%
−12.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
Female
54.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.6%
−36.5 ptssince 2009
from 42.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
23.9%
−11.4 ptssince 2012
from 35.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.2%
−81.6 ptssince 2013
from 85.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.5%
+32.9 ptssince 2017
from 57.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2016
from 99.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 0.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Rainelle

Gretna
Pop 1,296
Southport
Pop 873
Allentown
Pop 955
Archer
Pop 1,159
Places similar to Rainelle
Head to head

Compare Rainelle to nearby cities

RAINELLE VS
Beckley
Income$45,826+29%
Home value$158,000+96%
Population16,373+1288%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RAINELLE VS
Charleston
Income$65,812+85%
Home value$203,300+152%
Population46,117+3808%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RAINELLE VS
Blacksburg
Income$50,182+41%
Home value$446,300+452%
Population45,104+3722%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RAINELLE VS
Bluefield
Income$49,375+39%
Home value$105,400+30%
Population9,158+676%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rainelle, West Virginia?

Rainelle, West Virginia has about 1,458 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Rainelle, West Virginia earns about $35,625 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rainelle, West Virginia expensive?

In Rainelle, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $80,800, and the typical rent is about $663 a month.

How educated are people in Rainelle, West Virginia?

About 12.6% of adults age 25 and over in Rainelle, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rainelle, West Virginia?

About 29.8% of people in Rainelle, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rainelle, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Rainelle, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 223 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
West Virginia
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Rainelle with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →