Belva, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Belva, West Virginia had a total population of 17, the 423rd largest community in West Virginia. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Belva Quick Facts
How Belva 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 | 35 | 17 | -51.4% |
How Belva 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+)
Belva Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Nicholas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summersville | 3,373 | $56,571 | 20.3% | $230,000 |
| Richwood | 2,403 | $30,833 | 25.9% | $70,000 |
| Craigsville | 2,190 | $39,943 | 6.1% | $83,500 |
| Tioga | 577 | $86,056 | 21.5% | N/A |
| Nettie | 183 | N/A | 10.4% | N/A |
| Fenwick | 16 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Birch River | 7 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Belva
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fenwick | 16 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Hico | 16 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arbovale | 20 | N/A | N/A | 45.0% | 0.0% |
| Bergoo | 20 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 70.0% |
| Peach Creek | 14 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 17, Belva's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Belva is a small community located in West Virginia, within Nicholas County. The total population is 17. It ranks as the 423rd most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belva is 58.2 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. 35.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in Belva. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The survey records no unemployed residents in Belva, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Belva is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.1% of the population.
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 53.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belva, 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.
Free data download: Get all West Virginia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Belva, West Virginia?
Belva, West Virginia has a population of 17 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belva, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Belva — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Belva, WV?
The ACS sample for Belva recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of Belva, West Virginia?
Belva's population is 47.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belva, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Belva — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Belva, West Virginia?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Belva hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.