Beckley, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Beckley, West Virginia had a total population of 16,818, the 9th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $45,826, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Beckley Quick Facts
How Beckley 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 | 16,977 | 16,818 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $39,939 | $45,826 | +14.7% |
| Median home value | $148,800 | $158,000 | +6.2% |
How Beckley 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Beckley Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Raleigh County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shady Spring | 3,381 | $67,407 | 13.8% | $188,900 |
| Sophia | 1,528 | $36,080 | 38.0% | $116,900 |
| MacArthur | 1,493 | $35,650 | 36.4% | $160,800 |
| Daniels | 1,489 | $60,278 | 24.2% | $171,300 |
| Stanaford | 1,449 | $44,219 | 44.5% | $162,800 |
| Bradley | 1,424 | $43,641 | 11.8% | $84,700 |
| Mabscott | 1,396 | $57,813 | 16.7% | $159,700 |
| Prosperity | 1,389 | $85,094 | 11.4% | $141,200 |
| Crab Orchard | 1,139 | $43,792 | 16.6% | $168,200 |
| Piney View | 986 | $66,422 | 1.5% | $98,800 |
Cities Similar to Beckley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksburg | 15,549 | $47,386 | $129,900 | 25.7% | 23.5% |
| Weirton | 18,647 | $59,575 | $133,500 | 24.2% | 12.6% |
| Fairmont | 18,221 | $63,032 | $163,800 | 32.9% | 17.4% |
| Martinsburg | 18,904 | $59,555 | $240,000 | 24.7% | 19.8% |
| South Charleston | 13,457 | $63,884 | $155,400 | 37.8% | 16.9% |
Population Overview
Beckley is a small city located in West Virginia, within Raleigh County. The total population is 16,818. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Beckley is 42.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Beckley is $45,826. This is 23% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.9%. This is 73% 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 $158,000. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 55.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Beckley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (16.4% vs 3.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (3.6% vs 2.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.6% vs 0.8%).
Education
29.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% higher 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 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Beckley, 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 Beckley, West Virginia?
Beckley, West Virginia has a population of 16,818 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Beckley, WV?
The median household income in Beckley is $45,826, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Beckley, WV?
The poverty rate in Beckley is 28.9%. This means approximately 4,630 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Beckley, West Virginia?
Beckley's population is 70.6% White, 16.4% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Beckley, WV?
The median home value in Beckley is $158,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Beckley, West Virginia?
29.2% of adults (25+) in Beckley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.