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CITY

Sophia

West Virginia · 1,076 residents (2025 est.) · 0.698 sq mi
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The short version

Sophia has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,080. Population has grown 17% since 2000. 7% 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 $116,900. With a median age of 45.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 39% less than the West Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
7% 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
1,528
+17%since 2000
from 1,301 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,189 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 1,864 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.4
+10%since 2000
from 41.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,076 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Sophia
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,080
−24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,008 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,398
+112%since 2000
from $15,296 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
22.4%
+10.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
38.0%
+14.4 ptssince 2000
from 23.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.652
+49%since 2010
from 0.438 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services16.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade10.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing9.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing9.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Information5.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade3.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance2.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$116,900
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$870
+44%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $332 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.1%
−6.8 ptssince 2000
from 65.0% in 2000
41.9% rent
Vacancy rate
7.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 21.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.6%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
+56%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
30
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sophia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.2%(1,251)
Black1.2%(15)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(8)
Asian0.5%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.8%(75)
2024
White, non-Hispanic91%(1,391)
Black8.7%(133)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.3%(4)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score20.5%(313)
Diversity Score
20
+255%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
6.6%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
71.8%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 73.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.1%
−4.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.0 min
+54%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
91.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 91.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.6%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% 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
7.3%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.4%
+4.8 ptssince 2011
from 7.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
43.5%
−9.4 ptssince 2011
from 52.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
4.1%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.3%
−17.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.3%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Female
53.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Foreign born
6.3%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
1.2%
−48.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.2%
−5.8 ptssince 2012
from 24.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.1%
−71.3 ptssince 2013
from 74.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
53.5%
−8.7 ptssince 2017
from 62.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 99.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 0.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Sophia to nearby cities

SOPHIA VS
Beckley
Income$45,826+27%
Home value$158,000+35%
Population16,373+1422%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOPHIA VS
Bluefield
Income$49,375+37%
Home value$105,400−10%
Population9,158+751%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOPHIA VS
Charleston
Income$65,812+82%
Home value$203,300+74%
Population46,117+4186%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOPHIA VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884+77%
Home value$155,400+33%
Population13,072+1115%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sophia, West Virginia?

Sophia, West Virginia has about 1,528 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Sophia, West Virginia earns about $36,080 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sophia, West Virginia expensive?

In Sophia, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $116,900, and the typical rent is about $870 a month.

How educated are people in Sophia, West Virginia?

About 6.6% of adults age 25 and over in Sophia, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sophia, West Virginia?

About 38.0% of people in Sophia, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sophia, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Sophia, West Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 366 residents, a change of about 31 percent over that period.

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

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