Bluefield city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Bluefield city is a small city located in West Virginia. The total population is 9,511. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bluefield city is 41.2 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. 10.1% 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 Bluefield city is $43,826. This is 24% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 44% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.1%. This is 21% 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 6.9%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $101,000. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Bluefield city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Bluefield city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (15.0% vs 3.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (3.0% vs 2.0%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.

Education

24.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% higher 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 87.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bluefield 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.