Bradshaw, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

A note before these figures: with a population of 327, Bradshaw'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

Bradshaw is a small community located in West Virginia, within McDowell County. The total population is 327. It ranks as the 279th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bradshaw is 50.8 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 11.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 31.5% 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 Bradshaw is $22,116. This is 63% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 73% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.7%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 12.6%. This is 133% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $54,600. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Bradshaw is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 74.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Bradshaw has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.5%.

Education

16.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 83.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bradshaw, 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.