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COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

McDowell County

West Virginia · 35,233 residents · 533.458 sq mi
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The short version

McDowell County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $13,141. Population has grown 29% since 2000. 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $15,100. The poverty rate of 37.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 37% less than the West Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 34.0
US median: 33.0
Less educated
5% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

35,233
+29%vs 2000
vs 27,329 in 2000
1990 – 2025
66 / sq mi
+29%vs 2000
vs 51 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
34.0
−16%vs 2000
vs 40.5 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 19902024
16K21K27K32K37K1990201020202024McDowell County
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$13,141
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $16,931 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
$6,961
−32%vs 2000
vs $10,174 in 2000
US average: $14,340
37.7%
Unchangedvs 2000
vs 37.7% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

$15,100
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $20,800 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
$221
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $260 in 2000
US average: $450
78.7%
−1.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 80.1% in 2000
21.3% rent
1.1
−6%vs 2000
vs 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in McDowell County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.7%(23,695)
Black11.8%(3,234)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(132)
Asian0.1%(16)
Other0%
Diversity Score27.5%(7,513)
1990
White, non-Hispanic86.4%(30,458)
Black13.4%(4,728)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(121)
Asian0.1%(26)
Other0.1%(21)
Diversity Score30%(10,565)
30
+9%vs 2000
vs 27 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

4.6%
−1.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 5.6% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
42.3%
−7.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 50.0% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
1.9%
−0.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 2.3% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

24.9 min
−1%vs 2000
vs 25.1 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in McDowell County, West Virginia?

McDowell County, West Virginia has about 35,233 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in McDowell County, West Virginia?

The typical household in McDowell County, West Virginia earns about $13,141 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 $15,100, and the typical rent is about $221 a month.

How educated are people in McDowell County, West Virginia?

About 4.6% 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 37.7% of people in McDowell County, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

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

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McDowell County, West Virginia (1990): demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy