RANKING · 2020 CENSUS · 31 SHOWN OF 31

Highest poverty rate, West Virginia cities · 2020

West Virginia cities with the highest share of residents below the federal poverty line (2020 ACS). This list covers the 31 cities in West Virginia that qualify, ranked against each other statewide.

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SAME RANKING BYCounties States Metros ZIP codes

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2024

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOVERTY RATEVS 2000

01Morgantown, WVWV30,29334.7%−3.7 pts

02Huntington, WVWV44,81532.1%+7.4 pts

03Martinsburg, WVWV19,21124.7%+4.7 pts

04Moundsville, WVWV7,65923.6%+1.2 pts

05Clarksburg, WVWV15,56223.2%+3.4 pts

06Fairmont, WVWV18,03522.4%+2.4 pts

07Parkersburg, WVWV28,59322.1%+2.3 pts

08Oak Hill, WVWV7,62920.7%+2.9 pts

09Beckley, WVWV16,37320.3%−0.6 pts

10Charleston, WVWV46,11719.8%+3.1 pts

11Elkins, WVWV6,62219.8%+0.8 pts

12Nitro, WVWV6,27019.3%+8.6 pts

13Princeton, WVWV5,57818.9%−5.2 pts

14Bluefield, WVWV9,15818.7%−0.6 pts

15New Martinsville, WVWV5,03918.4%−2.2 pts

16Buckhannon, WVWV5,05417.8%−6.9 pts

17South Charleston, WVWV13,07217.7%+5.7 pts

18Pea Ridge, WVWV6,98817.2%+11.0 pts

19St. Albans, WVWV10,21017.0%+8.8 pts

20Wheeling, WVWV25,68015.7%−2.3 pts

21Ranson corporation, WVWV6,85315.2%–

22Dunbar, WVWV7,05013.7%−1.6 pts

23Vienna, WVWV10,32111.9%+4.1 pts

24Weirton, WVWV18,13311.5%+1.2 pts

25Charles, WVWV9,32911.3%−4.5 pts

26Brookhaven, WVWV6,2128.5%−7.0 pts

27Cross Lanes, WVWV9,6718.4%+2.5 pts

28Hurricane, WVWV7,3677.2%−3.1 pts

29Cheat Lake, WVWV10,9026.3%+0.4 pts

30Teays Valley, WVWV14,1514.9%−3.2 pts

31Bridgeport, WVWV9,4274.8%−0.1 pts

SHOWING 1–31 OF 31

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UPDATED 2026-08-08 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU DECENNIAL CENSUS