Alderson, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alderson, West Virginia had a total population of 1,383, the 119th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $32,212, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 45.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (45.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Alderson Quick Facts
How Alderson Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,182 | 1,383 | +17.0% |
| Median household income | $33,794 | $32,212 | -4.7% |
| Median home value | $119,200 | $130,400 | +9.4% |
How Alderson Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alderson Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Greenbrier County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisburg | 3,835 | $49,560 | 28.1% | $334,900 |
| White Sulphur Springs | 2,549 | $46,178 | 23.2% | $117,000 |
| Rainelle | 1,458 | $35,625 | 29.8% | $80,800 |
| Ronceverte | 1,419 | $41,889 | 25.9% | $130,300 |
| Fairlea | 1,312 | $24,411 | 27.6% | N/A |
| Rupert | 909 | $28,194 | 50.0% | $104,000 |
| Quinwood | 221 | $36,250 | 33.0% | $77,300 |
| Falling Spring | 182 | N/A | 0.0% | $153,100 |
Cities Similar to Alderson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesage | 1,329 | N/A | $221,900 | 21.7% | 34.7% |
| Granville | 1,257 | $31,901 | $138,300 | 20.2% | 45.8% |
| Rainelle | 1,458 | $35,625 | $80,800 | 12.6% | 29.8% |
| Logan | 1,294 | $29,832 | $84,700 | 9.4% | 44.5% |
| Mount Hope | 1,504 | $34,375 | $101,000 | 12.2% | 32.3% |
Population Overview
Alderson is a small community located in West Virginia, within Greenbrier County. The total population is 1,383. It ranks as the 119th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alderson is 53.3 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. 13.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alderson is $32,212. This is 46% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 45.8%. This is 174% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $130,400. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 70.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Alderson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 5.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (5.8% vs 3.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 24.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 68.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alderson, West Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Alderson, West Virginia?
Alderson, West Virginia has a population of 1,383 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alderson, WV?
The median household income in Alderson is $32,212, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alderson, WV?
The poverty rate in Alderson is 45.8%. This means approximately 633 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alderson, West Virginia?
Alderson's population is 92.4% White, 5.8% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alderson, WV?
The median home value in Alderson is $130,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Alderson, West Virginia?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Alderson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.