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CITY

War

West Virginia · 536 residents (2025 est.) · 0.891 sq mi
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The short version

War has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $29,500. Population has fallen 20% since 2000, a loss of 160 residents. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $32,600. With a median age of 45.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 51% less than the West Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 24%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
628
−20%since 2000
from 788 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
705 / sq mi
−20%since 2000
from 884 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.0
+9%since 2000
from 41.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:536 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5446918379831K1990201020202024War
2024628
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$29,500
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $16,012 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,601
+90%since 2000
from $9,285 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
10.6%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
35.2%
−8.1 ptssince 2000
from 43.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.414
−10%since 2010
from 0.462 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing40.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing40.8%
US avg: 0.4%
Information14.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade14%
US avg: 9.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
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
$32,600
−24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$703
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $297 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 69.2% in 2000
29.4% rent
Vacancy rate
25.4%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
12.0%
−55.5 ptssince 2009
from 67.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.1
−24%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
21
RELATED:See current rent listings in War on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94%(741)
Black4.6%(36)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score12.5%(98)
2024
White, non-Hispanic96.3%(605)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.7%(23)
Diversity Score8.8%(55)
Diversity Score
9
−29%since 2000
from 12 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
71.6%
+20.3 ptssince 2000
from 51.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.0%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
36.9 min
+95%since 2000
from 18.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.4%
−22.1 ptssince 2009
from 91.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.0%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.3%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% 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
5.0%
−12.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.5%
−9.4 ptssince 2011
from 11.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
30.0%
+5.2 ptssince 2011
from 24.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.8%
−18.6 ptssince 2009
from 29.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
8.9%
−44.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.5%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
56.5%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−39.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
28.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2012
from 29.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
14.5%
−71.4 ptssince 2013
from 85.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
61.7%
+9.8 ptssince 2017
from 51.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
90.2%
−9.8 ptssince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.7%
+3.7 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in War, West Virginia?

War, West Virginia has about 628 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in War, West Virginia earns about $29,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is War, West Virginia expensive?

In War, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $32,600, and the typical rent is about $703 a month.

How educated are people in War, West Virginia?

About 8.0% of adults age 25 and over in War, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in War, West Virginia?

About 35.2% of people in War, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has War, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, War, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 453 residents, a change of about -42 percent over that period.

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

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