McDowell County is home to 17,943 people in West Virginia. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, below the 36% national rate. 34.2% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Home values have more than doubled since 2000, reaching $50,000. Households here earn about 47% less than in West Virginia as a whole. Households take in $31,559 at the median, 62% less than the US figure.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $31,559, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about McDowell County
What changed most since 1990
Population35,233 → 17,943(−49%)US over the same years: +35%
Median age34.0 → 43.7(+9.7 years)US over the same years: +6.0 years
Median home value (2024 dollars)$36,241 → $50,000(+38%)US over the same years: +67%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)8.8%(61)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)23.2%(161)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era44.5%(309)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War1.6%(11)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II1%(7)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 694 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
McDowell County, decade by decade
McDowell County population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
35,233
$31,539
$36,241
4.6%
29.9
2000
27,329
$30,842
$37,890
5.6%
29.3
2010
22,113
$31,870
$47,185
6.3%
25.3
2020
19,111
$31,600
$47,876
6.8%
37.1
2024
17,943
$31,559
$50,000
6.8%
30.4
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in McDowell County, West Virginia?
McDowell County, West Virginia has about 17,943 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in McDowell County, West Virginia?
The typical household in McDowell County, West Virginia earns about $31,559 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is McDowell County, West Virginia expensive?
In McDowell County, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $50,000, and the typical rent is about $643 a month.
How educated are people in McDowell County, West Virginia?
About 6.8% of adults age 25 and over in McDowell County, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in McDowell County, West Virginia?
About 34.2% of people in McDowell County, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.
Has McDowell County, West Virginia grown since 1990?
Yes, McDowell County, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 17,290 residents, a change of about -49 percent over that period.
