Barbour County, West Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Barbour County is located in West Virginia with a total population of 15,454. It is the 36th most populous county out of 55 in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Barbour County is 42.4 years. This is about average than the state median of 42.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Barbour County is $48,347. This is 17% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. 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 10.3%. This is 80% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $126,000. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Barbour County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Barbour County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.8%.

Education

12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 23.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.6%.