Bethany, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethany, West Virginia had a total population of 1,039, the 145th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $60,313, which is 1% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 50.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in West Virginia.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.0% is notably above the national average.
Bethany Quick Facts
How Bethany 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 | 1,066 | 1,039 | -2.5% |
| Median household income | $61,250 | $60,313 | -1.5% |
| Median home value | $113,600 | $110,600 | -2.6% |
How Bethany 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+)
Bethany Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Brooke County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Follansbee | 2,757 | $58,371 | 8.1% | $133,900 |
| Wellsburg | 2,203 | $42,868 | 20.3% | $104,500 |
| Hooverson Heights | 2,090 | $60,781 | 13.8% | $154,600 |
| Windsor Heights | 491 | $42,270 | 27.7% | $58,600 |
| Beech Bottom | 443 | $33,125 | 24.0% | $60,300 |
| Colliers | 117 | N/A | 18.8% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bethany
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Union | 1,039 | $60,417 | $98,600 | 15.4% | 18.9% |
| Man | 1,049 | $60,000 | $154,200 | 24.1% | 12.5% |
| Rand | 1,064 | $61,047 | $89,900 | 25.3% | 8.6% |
| Hamlin | 1,068 | $61,429 | $95,500 | 16.2% | 21.7% |
| Carpendale | 1,035 | $66,027 | $171,300 | 10.1% | 10.8% |
Population Overview
Bethany is a small community located in West Virginia, within Brooke County. The total population is 1,039. It ranks as the 145th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethany is 20.9 years. This is 51% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 10.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethany is $60,313. This is 1% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 10.0%. This is 85% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $110,600. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Bethany is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethany is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 23.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (23.4% vs 3.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
50.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Bethany in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 108% 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 97.7%. Notably, 33.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethany, 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 Bethany, West Virginia?
Bethany, West Virginia has a population of 1,039 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethany, WV?
The median household income in Bethany is $60,313, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethany, WV?
The poverty rate in Bethany is 8.1%. This means approximately 30 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethany, West Virginia?
Bethany's population is 73.6% White, 23.4% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethany, WV?
The median home value in Bethany is $110,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Bethany, West Virginia?
50.2% of adults (25+) in Bethany hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 33.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.