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COUNTY · 2010 ACS

Mercer County

West Virginia · 62,264 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 $32,131. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $73,500. With a median age of 42.5, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 42.5
US median: 37.2
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
62,264
−1%since 2000
from 62,980 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
149 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 150 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
42.5
+6%since 2000
from 40.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
58K60K62K64K66K1990201020202024Mercer County
202459K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,131
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,628 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,431
+18%since 2000
from $15,564 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
14.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
22.8%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 19.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.462
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information14.1%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade8.1%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade7.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance5.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 4.2%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing3%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 3.1%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$73,500
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $56,200 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$509
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $372 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
34.0%
−42.8 ptssince 2000
from 76.8% in 2000
27.0% rent
Vacancy rate
16.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
15.1%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 41.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.3
+8%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Mercer County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.2%(58,073)
Black5.8%(3,657)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(285)
Asian0.5%(288)
Other0%
Diversity Score16%(10,052)
2010
White, non-Hispanic91.1%(56,711)
Black6%(3,740)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(480)
Asian0.5%(323)
Other1.2%(759)
Diversity Score20%(12,438)
Diversity Score
20
+25%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.4%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
79.1%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 72.1% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.5 min
+37%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
82.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 83.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
9.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
8.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
15.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
30.2%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 60.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Female
52.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Foreign born
1.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
12.4%
−34.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Mercer County

Russell County
Pop 58,898
Jackson County
Pop 54,281
Jefferson County
Pop 62,987
Laurens County
Pop 51,041
Places similar to Mercer County
Head to head

Compare Mercer County to nearby counties

MERCER COUNTY VS
Bland County
Income$61,216+91%
Home value$152,100+107%
Population6,151−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Summers County
Income$40,699+27%
Home value$140,100+91%
Population11,532−80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Giles County
Income$65,691+104%
Home value$151,100+106%
Population16,564−71%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Raleigh County
Income$52,150+62%
Home value$150,900+105%
Population71,775+25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Mercer County, West Virginia?

Mercer County, West Virginia has about 62,264 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Mercer County, West Virginia earns about $32,131 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 $73,500, and the typical rent is about $509 a month.

How educated are people in Mercer County, West Virginia?

About 16.4% 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 22.8% 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 2,716 residents, a change of about -4 percent over that period.

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16 census tracts
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17 ZIP codes
ZIP 24701ZIP 24740ZIP 24739ZIP 24747ZIP 24712ZIP 25971ZIP 24737ZIP 25820ZIP 25841ZIP 24715ZIP 24714ZIP 24731ZIP 24733ZIP 24724ZIP 25922ZIP 24729ZIP 24738
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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