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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

McDowell County

West Virginia · 27,329 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 $16,931. Population has fallen 22% since 1990, a loss of 7,904 residents. 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $20,800. With a median age of 40.5, the population is older than the US median of 35.2. Households here earn about 43% less than the West Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 40.5
US median: 35.2
Less educated
6% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

27,329
−22%since 1990
from 35,233 in 1990
1990 – 2025
51 / sq mi
−22%since 1990
from 66 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
40.5
+19%since 1990
from 34.0 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
16K21K27K32K37K1990201020202024McDowell County
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$16,931
−2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $13,141 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$10,174
+46%since 1990
from $6,961 in 1990
US average: $21,522
37.7%
Unchangedsince 1990
from 37.7% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$20,800
+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $15,100 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$260
−11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $221 in 1990
US average: $602
80.1%
+1.4 ptssince 1990
from 78.7% in 1990
19.9% rent
1.2
+7%since 1990
from 1.1 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in McDowell County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

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

Education

5.6%
+1.1 ptssince 1990
from 4.6% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
50.0%
+7.7 ptssince 1990
from 42.3% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
2.3%
+0.5 ptssince 1990
from 1.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

25.1 min
+1%since 1990
from 24.9 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
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 27,329 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in McDowell County, West Virginia earns about $16,931 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 $20,800, and the typical rent is about $260 a month.

How educated are people in McDowell County, West Virginia?

About 5.6% 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.

Has McDowell County, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, McDowell County, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 7,904 residents, a change of about -22 percent over that period.

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

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