Bolivar, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bolivar, West Virginia had a total population of 1,215, the 128th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $83,068, which is 39% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in West Virginia.
Bolivar Quick Facts
How Bolivar 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 | 1,317 | 1,215 | -7.7% |
| Median household income | $81,641 | $83,068 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $253,700 | $251,600 | -0.8% |
How Bolivar 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+)
Bolivar Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Town | 7,337 | $89,263 | 6.5% | $377,700 |
| Ranson | 5,729 | $89,523 | 12.0% | $242,700 |
| Shannondale | 3,465 | $80,000 | 13.3% | $293,600 |
| Shepherdstown | 1,460 | $63,750 | 6.2% | $485,200 |
| Shenandoah Junction | 1,141 | $94,821 | 8.2% | $192,900 |
| Middleway | 479 | $123,917 | 4.8% | $298,800 |
| Harpers Ferry | 350 | $116,587 | 2.3% | $529,100 |
Cities Similar to Bolivar
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado | 1,114 | $83,000 | $174,800 | 30.4% | 8.8% |
| Lesage | 1,329 | N/A | $221,900 | 21.7% | 34.7% |
| Cassville | 1,149 | $90,478 | $253,000 | 41.9% | 15.1% |
| Shenandoah Junction | 1,141 | $94,821 | $192,900 | 8.6% | 8.2% |
| Gilbert Creek | 1,061 | $82,632 | $119,400 | 17.2% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Bolivar is a small community located in West Virginia, within Jefferson County. The total population is 1,215. It ranks as the 128th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bolivar is 39.3 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bolivar is $83,068. This is 39% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 3% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.5%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $251,600. Housing costs are 55% higher than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 57.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bolivar is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (7.3% vs 2.1%).
Education
35.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bolivar, 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 Bolivar, West Virginia?
Bolivar, West Virginia has a population of 1,215 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bolivar, WV?
The median household income in Bolivar is $83,068, which is 3% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bolivar, WV?
The poverty rate in Bolivar is 10.5%. This means approximately 128 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bolivar, West Virginia?
Bolivar's population is 81.9% White, 3.9% Black, 7.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bolivar, WV?
The median home value in Bolivar is $251,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Bolivar, West Virginia?
35.9% of adults (25+) in Bolivar hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.