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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

McDowell County

West Virginia · 19,111 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 $26,072. Population has fallen 30% since 2000, a loss of 8,218 residents. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $39,500. With a median age of 44.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 46% less than the West Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,111
−30%since 2000
from 27,329 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
36 / sq mi
−30%since 2000
from 51 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.5
+10%since 2000
from 40.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K21K27K32K37K1990201020202024McDowell County
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,072
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $16,931 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,150
+49%since 2000
from $10,174 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
14.2%
+8.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
32.8%
−4.9 ptssince 2000
from 37.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing15.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing15.5%
US avg: 0.5%
Information8%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade2.4%
US avg: 10%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$39,500
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$594
+52%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $260 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
79.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 80.1% in 2000
20.5% rent
Afford Score
1.5
+23%since 2000
from 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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic83%(15,871)
Black11.2%(2,139)
Hispanic / Latino2%(390)
Asian0.1%(20)
Other1.8%(353)
Diversity Score33.9%(6,486)
Segregation Score48.8%(9,331)
Diversity Score
34
+23%since 2000
from 27 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
49
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
6.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
72.2%
+22.2 ptssince 2000
from 50.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 2.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.5 min
+30%since 2000
from 25.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
87.0%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 83.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
13.4%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
15.0%
+5.8 ptssince 2011
from 9.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
28.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 30.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.7%
−30.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.8%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Female
49.2%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.9%
−75.6 ptssince 2013
from 80.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to McDowell County

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Pop 11,588
Bullock County
Pop 9,780
Hale County
Pop 15,194
Jeff Davis County
Pop 15,219
Places similar to McDowell County
Head to head

Compare McDowell County to nearby counties

MCDOWELL COUNTY VS
Wyoming County
Income$48,440+86%
Home value$82,900+110%
Population19,801+17%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MCDOWELL COUNTY VS
Tazewell County
Income$47,313+81%
Home value$118,300+199%
Population38,635+129%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MCDOWELL COUNTY VS
Buchanan County
Income$42,886+64%
Home value$94,900+140%
Population18,492+10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MCDOWELL COUNTY VS
Mercer County
Income$53,210+104%
Home value$121,700+208%
Population57,503+241%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in McDowell County, West Virginia?

McDowell County, West Virginia has about 19,111 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in McDowell County, West Virginia earns about $26,072 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 $39,500, and the typical rent is about $594 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 32.8% 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 16,122 residents, a change of about -46 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

8 census tracts
Census Tract 9545.03Census Tract 9545.04Census Tract 9538Census Tract 9545.01Census Tract 9540Census Tract 9542Census Tract 9539Census Tract 9536
34 ZIP codes (top 30 by population)
ZIP 24817ZIP 24892ZIP 24844ZIP 24868ZIP 24836ZIP 24862ZIP 24866ZIP 24871ZIP 24808ZIP 24872ZIP 24853ZIP 24828ZIP 24894ZIP 24813ZIP 24831ZIP 24811ZIP 24878ZIP 24846ZIP 24873ZIP 24879ZIP 24815ZIP 24830ZIP 24816ZIP 24848ZIP 24861ZIP 24888ZIP 24826ZIP 24881ZIP 24884ZIP 24855
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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