Belington, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Belington, West Virginia had a total population of 1,781, the 86th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $48,508, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.2%.
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 (25.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Belington Quick Facts
How Belington 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 | 1,843 | 1,781 | -3.4% |
| Median household income | $47,361 | $48,508 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $95,200 | $104,400 | +9.7% |
How Belington 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+)
Belington Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Barbour County
Cities Similar to Belington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Alta | 1,841 | $50,536 | $95,200 | 8.8% | 29.1% |
| Mannington | 1,829 | $54,286 | $106,000 | 18.6% | 10.4% |
| Romney | 1,922 | $49,286 | $184,400 | 14.9% | 25.9% |
| McMechen | 1,826 | $40,446 | $96,900 | 12.7% | 27.5% |
| Harrisville | 1,574 | $47,768 | $123,000 | 18.0% | 25.1% |
Population Overview
Belington is a small community located in West Virginia, within Barbour County. The total population is 1,781. It ranks as the 86th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belington is 42.6 years. This is about the same as the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Belington is $48,508. This is 19% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.2%. This is 51% 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 5.7%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $104,400. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Belington is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Belington has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%.
Education
11.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 84.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belington, 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 Belington, West Virginia?
Belington, West Virginia has a population of 1,781 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belington, WV?
The median household income in Belington is $48,508, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Belington, WV?
The poverty rate in Belington is 25.2%. This means approximately 449 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Belington, West Virginia?
Belington's population is 89.5% White, 0.0% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belington, WV?
The median home value in Belington is $104,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Belington, West Virginia?
11.6% of adults (25+) in Belington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.