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CITY

Sylvester

West Virginia · 149 residents (2025 est.) · 0.252 sq mi
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The short version

Population has fallen 33% since 2000, a loss of 64 residents. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $78,100. With a median age of 56.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Older
median age 56.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 36%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
131
−33%since 2000
from 195 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
520 / sq mi
−33%since 2000
from 774 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
56.4
+17%since 2000
from 48.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:149 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
762153544936321990201020202024Sylvester
2024131
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Per capita income
$31,960
+31%since 2000
from $24,420 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.7%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 21.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.1%
+11.4 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.424
+30%since 2010
from 0.326 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing23.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing23.7%
US avg: 0.4%
Retail trade23.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance10.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services5.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Information0%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$78,100
−36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
93.8%
+14.1 ptssince 2000
from 79.8% in 2000
6.2% rent
Vacancy rate
36.9%
+15.8 ptssince 2009
from 21.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.0%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.0%
+25.0 ptssince 2009
from 25.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sylvester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.9%(191)
Black1%(2)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(1)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.8%(7)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.7%(124)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.3%(7)
Diversity Score12.6%(17)
Diversity Score
13
+231%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.7%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 12.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.7%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 74.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
38.6 min
+110%since 2000
from 18.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
89.5%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 79.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.5%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% 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
6.2%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−5.8 ptssince 2011
from 10.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
34.8%
−15.1 ptssince 2011
from 49.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.9%
−11.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
55.3%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 58.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.3%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
Female
55.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
14.8%
−31.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
27.5%
+13.6 ptssince 2012
from 13.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.0%
−63.7 ptssince 2013
from 63.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.8%
+21.9 ptssince 2017
from 71.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Sylvester to nearby cities

SYLVESTER VS
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Income$65,812
Home value$203,300+160%
Population46,117+30851%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SYLVESTER VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884
Home value$155,400+99%
Population13,072+8673%
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SYLVESTER VS
Beckley
Income$45,826
Home value$158,000+102%
Population16,373+10889%
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SYLVESTER VS
St. Albans
Income$53,972
Home value$140,800+80%
Population10,210+6752%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sylvester, West Virginia?

Sylvester, West Virginia has about 131 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

Is Sylvester, West Virginia expensive?

In Sylvester, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $78,100.

How educated are people in Sylvester, West Virginia?

About 21.7% of adults age 25 and over in Sylvester, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sylvester, West Virginia?

About 19.1% of people in Sylvester, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sylvester, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Sylvester, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 53 residents, a change of about -29 percent over that period.

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

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