Carolina, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carolina, West Virginia had a total population of 261, the 311th largest community in West Virginia. The poverty rate is 53.3%.
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 (53.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Carolina Quick Facts
How Carolina 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 | 188 | 261 | +38.8% |
How Carolina 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+)
Carolina Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Marion County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairmont | 18,221 | $63,032 | 17.4% | $163,800 |
| Pleasant Valley | 3,482 | $67,635 | 9.0% | $213,600 |
| Mannington | 1,829 | $54,286 | 10.4% | $106,000 |
| Barrackville | 1,430 | $78,558 | 4.1% | $167,700 |
| White Hall | 946 | $76,667 | 5.9% | $286,700 |
| Monongah | 837 | $50,875 | 12.1% | $77,300 |
| Rivesville | 627 | $48,000 | 14.0% | $150,700 |
| Idamay | 575 | $98,953 | 17.7% | $111,200 |
| Grant Town | 506 | $64,688 | 25.3% | $105,000 |
| Farmington | 390 | $72,045 | 9.0% | $69,300 |
Cities Similar to Carolina
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitesville | 266 | $47,917 | $96,700 | 3.1% | 15.4% |
| Amherstdale | 256 | N/A | N/A | 8.0% | 0.0% |
| Brandywine | 267 | N/A | $109,800 | 0.0% | 33.0% |
| Fairview | 267 | $55,583 | $92,400 | 21.0% | 11.6% |
| Albright | 254 | $60,000 | $39,000 | 2.8% | 22.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 261, Carolina'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
Carolina is a small community located in West Virginia, within Marion County. The total population is 261. It ranks as the 311th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carolina is 33.0 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 6.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 53.3%. This is 219% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Carolina, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 49.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carolina has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.1%.
Education
24.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carolina, 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 Carolina, West Virginia?
Carolina, West Virginia has a population of 261 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carolina, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Carolina — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carolina, WV?
The poverty rate in Carolina is 53.3%. This means approximately 139 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carolina, West Virginia?
Carolina's population is 90.4% White, 3.1% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carolina, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Carolina — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Carolina, West Virginia?
24.7% of adults (25+) in Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.