Benwood city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Benwood city is a small community located in West Virginia. The total population is 1,173. It ranks as the 133rd most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Benwood city is 47.1 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Benwood city is $39,474. This is 32% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 50% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 50% 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 3.3%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $90,400. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Benwood city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Benwood city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.2%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.

Education

9.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 88.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Benwood city, West Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 430 Census-designated places in West Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.