Pocahontas County is a county of 7,784 people in West Virginia. The median age is 49.5, about 11 years above the US median. Owners hold 84% of the housing stock. Four-year degrees are less common here than nationally, at 20% of adults. Density works out to 8 people per square mile. 1% of residents were born outside the United States.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $42,119, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 49.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 36%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Pocahontas County
What changed most since 1990
White share98.6% → 93.7%(−4.9 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Population9,008 → 7,784(−14%)US over the same years: +35%
Median age38.3 → 49.5(+11.2 years)US over the same years: +6.0 years
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)7.2%(54)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)17.8%(134)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era43.9%(330)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War9.6%(72)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 752 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Pocahontas County, decade by decade
Pocahontas County population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
9,008
$41,370
$99,363
9.7%
3.4
2000
9,131
$48,094
$112,032
11.8%
4.9
2010
8,719
$46,266
$143,857
13.5%
6.7
2020
7,869
$45,624
$144,960
13.6%
12.8
2024
7,784
$42,119
$152,400
19.7%
15.0
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Pocahontas County, West Virginia?
Pocahontas County, West Virginia has about 7,784 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Pocahontas County, West Virginia?
The typical household in Pocahontas County, West Virginia earns about $42,119 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Pocahontas County, West Virginia expensive?
In Pocahontas County, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $152,400, and the typical rent is about $715 a month.
How educated are people in Pocahontas County, West Virginia?
About 19.7% of adults age 25 and over in Pocahontas County, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Pocahontas County, West Virginia?
About 22.5% of people in Pocahontas County, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.
Has Pocahontas County, West Virginia grown since 1990?
Yes, Pocahontas County, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,224 residents, a change of about -14 percent over that period.
