COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Mercer County

West Virginia · 62,980 residents · 418.962 sq mi

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The short version

Mercer County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $26,628. Population has declined 3% since 1990. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $56,200.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $42,589

Older

median age 40.2

US median: 35.2

Less educated

14% 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

Total population

62,980

−3%since 1990

from 64,980 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

150 / sq mi

−3%since 1990

from 155 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

40.2

+10%since 1990

from 36.5 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

202459K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$26,628

+4%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $19,365 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$15,564

+50%since 1990

from $10,405 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

19.7%

−0.6 ptssince 1990

from 20.4% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$56,200

−4%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $44,500 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$372

+1%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $280 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

76.8%

+0.5 ptssince 1990

from 76.3% in 1990

23.2% rent

Afford Score

2.1

−8%since 1990

from 2.3 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Mercer County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic93.3%(60,598)

Black6%(3,900)

Hispanic / Latino0.4%(286)

Asian0.5%(350)

Diversity Score16.8%(10,909)

2000

White, non-Hispanic92.2%(58,073)

Black5.8%(3,657)

Hispanic / Latino0.5%(285)

Asian0.5%(288)

Diversity Score16%(10,052)

Diversity Score

−5%since 1990

from 17 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

13.8%

+2.2 ptssince 1990

from 11.6% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

72.1%

+8.9 ptssince 1990

from 63.1% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

5.2%

+1.0 ptssince 1990

from 4.3% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

16.4 min

−11%since 1990

from 18.4 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.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Mercer County

Head to head

Compare Mercer County to nearby counties

MERCER COUNTY VS

Bland County

Income$61,216+130%

Home value$152,100+171%

Population6,151−89%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

MERCER COUNTY VS

Summers County

Income$40,699+53%

Home value$140,100+149%

Population11,532−80%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

MERCER COUNTY VS

Giles County

Income$65,691+147%

Home value$151,100+169%

Population16,564−71%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

MERCER COUNTY VS

Raleigh County

Income$52,150+96%

Home value$150,900+169%

Population71,775+25%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Mercer County, West Virginia?

Mercer County, West Virginia has about 62,980 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Mercer County, West Virginia earns about $26,628 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Mercer County, West Virginia expensive?

In Mercer County, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $56,200, and the typical rent is about $372 a month.

How educated are people in Mercer County, West Virginia?

About 13.8% of adults age 25 and over in Mercer County, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Mercer County, West Virginia?

About 19.7% of people in Mercer County, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Mercer County, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Mercer County, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,000 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →