RANKING · 2020 CENSUS · 31 SHOWN OF 31

Most residents in poverty, West Virginia cities · 2020

West Virginia cities with the most residents living below the poverty line, as of the 2020 American Community Survey. Ranked by number of people, not the poverty rate. 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

RELATEDHighest median household income Lowest median household income Highest per-capita income Lowest poverty rate Highest poverty rate Most six-figure households

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2024

RANKPLACESTATEPOPRESIDENTS IN POVERTYVS 2000

01Huntington, WVWV44,81515,042+18%

02Morgantown, WVWV30,29310,545+2%

03Charleston, WVWV46,1179,683+9%

04Parkersburg, WVWV28,5936,568+0%

05Martinsburg, WVWV19,2114,634+55%

06Wheeling, WVWV25,6804,243−25%

07Fairmont, WVWV18,0354,134+8%

08Clarksburg, WVWV15,5623,726+12%

09Beckley, WVWV16,3733,506−3%

10South Charleston, WVWV13,0722,421+50%

11Weirton, WVWV18,1332,204+4%

12Moundsville, WVWV7,6591,912−15%

13St. Albans, WVWV10,2101,846+94%

14Bluefield, WVWV9,1581,806−18%

15Oak Hill, WVWV7,6291,692+26%

16Elkins, WVWV6,6221,370+3%

17Nitro, WVWV6,2701,279+76%

18Vienna, WVWV10,3211,263+50%

19Pea Ridge, WVWV6,9881,138+187%

20Princeton, WVWV5,5781,110−27%

21Dunbar, WVWV7,0501,022−18%

22New Martinsville, WVWV5,039955−22%

23Buckhannon, WVWV5,054924−35%

24Ranson corporation, WVWV6,853828–

25Cross Lanes, WVWV9,671816+35%

26Charles, WVWV9,329736+60%

27Teays Valley, WVWV14,151703−31%

28Cheat Lake, WVWV10,902630+65%

29Hurricane, WVWV7,367503−7%

30Brookhaven, WVWV6,212486−34%

31Bridgeport, WVWV9,427450+24%

SHOWING 1–31 OF 31

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UPDATED 2026-07-15 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU DECENNIAL CENSUS