Big Chimney, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big Chimney, West Virginia had a total population of 610, the 199th largest community in West Virginia, with a median household income of $43,403, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.1%.
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 (32.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.3% is notably above the national average.
Big Chimney Quick Facts
How Big Chimney 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 | 497 | 610 | +22.7% |
| Median household income | $72,740 | $43,403 | -40.3% |
How Big Chimney 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+)
Big Chimney Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Kanawha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 47,421 | $65,812 | 15.8% | $203,300 |
| South Charleston | 13,457 | $63,884 | 16.9% | $155,400 |
| St. Albans | 10,522 | $53,972 | 14.1% | $140,800 |
| Cross Lanes | 9,671 | $63,537 | 5.1% | $153,800 |
| Dunbar | 7,254 | $58,379 | 14.9% | $119,600 |
| Nitro | 6,853 | $53,848 | 20.2% | $128,900 |
| Pinch | 4,037 | $76,741 | 5.1% | $221,500 |
| Sissonville | 3,593 | $66,944 | 23.4% | $180,800 |
| Alum Creek | 1,749 | $74,231 | 11.0% | $159,300 |
| Chesapeake | 1,702 | $60,927 | 21.5% | $84,500 |
Cities Similar to Big Chimney
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron | 609 | $43,750 | $65,000 | 13.9% | 30.5% |
| Matheny | 586 | N/A | $160,100 | 12.3% | 17.6% |
| Bruno | 638 | N/A | $251,700 | 5.2% | 4.9% |
| Lashmeet | 655 | N/A | $187,500 | 6.2% | 13.0% |
| Rivesville | 627 | $48,000 | $150,700 | 10.3% | 14.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 610, Big Chimney'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
Big Chimney is a small community located in West Virginia, within Kanawha County. The total population is 610. It ranks as the 199th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Chimney is 59.3 years. This is 39% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 4.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Chimney is $43,403. This is 27% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.1%. This is 92% 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 13.3%. This is 146% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. 90.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Big Chimney was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
12.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 80.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Chimney, 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 Big Chimney, West Virginia?
Big Chimney, West Virginia has a population of 610 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Chimney, WV?
The median household income in Big Chimney is $43,403, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big Chimney, WV?
The poverty rate in Big Chimney is 32.1%. This means approximately 196 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Chimney, West Virginia?
Big Chimney's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Chimney, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Big Chimney — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Big Chimney, West Virginia?
12.8% of adults (25+) in Big Chimney hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.