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CITY

Wheeling

West Virginia · 25,680 residents (2025 est.) · 13.786 sq mi
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The short version

Wheeling has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,590. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 5,069 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $146,500. With a median age of 45.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. The poverty rate of 20.5% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.4
US median: 38.9
Average education
34% 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
26,350
−16%since 2000
from 31,419 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,911 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 2,279 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.4
+7%since 2000
from 42.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:25,680 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
25K28K31K33K36K1990201020202024Wheeling
202426K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,590
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,388 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,509
+104%since 2000
from $17,923 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.0%
+18.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.5%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 18.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.515
+9%since 2010
from 0.471 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade6%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade5.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing2.1%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$146,500
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$794
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $363 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
59.8%
−2.9 ptssince 2000
from 62.7% in 2000
40.2% rent
Vacancy rate
13.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 18.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.9%
+11.4 ptssince 2009
from 40.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+23%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
56
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wheeling on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.3%(28,988)
Black5%(1,556)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(181)
Asian0.9%(284)
Other0%
Diversity Score15.4%(4,849)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.8%(23,402)
Black4.5%(1,180)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(368)
Asian0.4%(95)
Other5%(1,305)
Diversity Score25.8%(6,804)
Diversity Score
26
+67%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.1%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 23.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.4%
+10.5 ptssince 2000
from 81.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
14.1%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 10.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.8 min
+54%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.3%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 75.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.2%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.9%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.0%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
15.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2011
from 6.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.6%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 57.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
40.2%
−23.5 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
52.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
2.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.4%
−39.7 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.8%
Unchangedsince 2012
from 18.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.7%
−83.6 ptssince 2013
from 88.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.7%
+20.5 ptssince 2017
from 64.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 97.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Wheeling to nearby cities

WHEELING VS
Steubenville
Income$48,172−1%
Home value$130,700−11%
Population17,922−30%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WHEELING VS
Weirton
Income$59,575+23%
Home value$133,500−9%
Population18,133−29%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WHEELING VS
Washington
Income$52,975+9%
Home value$128,200−12%
Population13,377−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WHEELING VS
Canonsburg
Income$79,227+63%
Home value$213,200+46%
Population9,529−63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wheeling, West Virginia?

Wheeling, West Virginia has about 26,350 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Wheeling, West Virginia earns about $48,590 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wheeling, West Virginia expensive?

In Wheeling, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $146,500, and the typical rent is about $794 a month.

How educated are people in Wheeling, West Virginia?

About 34.1% of adults age 25 and over in Wheeling, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wheeling, West Virginia?

About 20.5% of people in Wheeling, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wheeling, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Wheeling, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 8,531 residents, a change of about -24 percent over that period.

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

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