Buckhannon, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buckhannon, West Virginia had a total population of 5,116, the 31st largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $54,615, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Buckhannon Quick Facts
How Buckhannon 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 | 5,144 | 5,116 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $48,720 | $54,615 | +12.1% |
| Median home value | $152,000 | $158,100 | +4.0% |
How Buckhannon 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+)
Buckhannon Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Upshur County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hinkleville | 291 | $54,167 | 14.1% | N/A |
| Rock Cave | 276 | $52,202 | 0.0% | $241,700 |
| Adrian | 183 | N/A | 12.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Buckhannon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Martinsville | 5,133 | $60,946 | $128,300 | 23.8% | 15.5% |
| Keyser | 4,857 | $46,955 | $143,000 | 18.0% | 31.8% |
| Barboursville | 4,376 | $60,571 | $197,700 | 34.1% | 19.2% |
| Princeton | 5,736 | $43,900 | $120,300 | 21.0% | 16.9% |
| Grafton | 4,618 | $40,402 | $74,600 | 11.2% | 24.9% |
Population Overview
Buckhannon is a small city located in West Virginia, within Upshur County. The total population is 5,116. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buckhannon is 32.8 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 14.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buckhannon is $54,615. This is 8% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.7%. This is 30% 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 4.7%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $158,100. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Buckhannon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Buckhannon has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.7% vs 0.8%).
Education
24.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buckhannon, 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.
Free data download: Get all West Virginia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Buckhannon, West Virginia?
Buckhannon, West Virginia has a population of 5,116 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buckhannon, WV?
The median household income in Buckhannon is $54,615, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buckhannon, WV?
The poverty rate in Buckhannon is 21.7%. This means approximately 847 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buckhannon, West Virginia?
Buckhannon's population is 86.1% White, 4.2% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buckhannon, WV?
The median home value in Buckhannon is $158,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Buckhannon, West Virginia?
24.4% of adults (25+) in Buckhannon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.