Big Chimney CDP, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Big Chimney CDP is a small community located in West Virginia. The total population is 497. It ranks as the 231st most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Big Chimney CDP is 54.9 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 5.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Big Chimney CDP is $72,740. This is 26% higher than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 7% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.9%. This is 26% 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 10.4%. This is 82% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $216,500. Housing costs are 39% higher than the state median of $155,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 84.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Big Chimney CDP has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 100.0% of all residents.

Education

16.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 93.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Big Chimney CDP, 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.