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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Mercer County

West Virginia · 59,664 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 $40,716. Population has declined 5% since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $100,900. With a median age of 44.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
59,664
−5%since 2000
from 62,980 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
142 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 150 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.0
+9%since 2000
from 40.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
58K60K62K64K66K1990201020202024Mercer County
202459K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,716
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,628 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,341
+50%since 2000
from $15,564 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
21.6%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.3%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.3%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade4.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.4%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing2%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$100,900
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $56,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$695
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $372 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
70.3%
−6.5 ptssince 2000
from 76.8% in 2000
29.7% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+17%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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic87.6%(52,264)
Black6.2%(3,694)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(705)
Asian0.5%(292)
Other2.6%(1,560)
Diversity Score24.7%(14,720)
Segregation Score45.1%(26,911)
Diversity Score
25
+55%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
45
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.1%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.3%
+12.2 ptssince 2000
from 72.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.9 min
+34%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.9%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 83.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.4%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 6.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
48.7%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 48.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.1%
−28.3 ptssince 2009
from 60.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
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
1.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.0%
−78.5 ptssince 2013
from 84.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+50%
Home value$152,100+51%
Population6,151−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Summers County
Income$40,699same
Home value$140,100+39%
Population11,532−80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Giles County
Income$65,691+61%
Home value$151,100+50%
Population16,564−71%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Raleigh County
Income$52,150+28%
Home value$150,900+50%
Population71,775+25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Mercer County, West Virginia?

Mercer County, West Virginia has about 59,664 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Mercer County, West Virginia earns about $40,716 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 $100,900, and the typical rent is about $695 a month.

How educated are people in Mercer County, West Virginia?

About 20.1% 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 18.3% 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 5,316 residents, a change of about -8 percent over that period.

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16 census tracts
Census Tract 15Census Tract 11Census Tract 17Census Tract 18Census Tract 10Census Tract 23Census Tract 13Census Tract 22Census Tract 12Census Tract 9Census Tract 21Census Tract 14Census Tract 24Census Tract 20Census Tract 19Census Tract 16
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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