Cheat Lake, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cheat Lake, West Virginia had a total population of 10,902, the 13th largest community in West Virginia, with a median household income of $117,014, which is 96% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 96% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in West Virginia.
- 61.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in West Virginia.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Cheat Lake Quick Facts
How Cheat Lake 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 | 10,485 | 10,902 | +4.0% |
| Median household income | $111,379 | $117,014 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $345,500 | $367,600 | +6.4% |
How Cheat Lake 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+)
Cheat Lake Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Monongalia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown | 30,236 | $44,727 | 30.4% | $259,400 |
| Brookhaven | 6,212 | $88,438 | 10.5% | $261,000 |
| Westover | 4,026 | $60,769 | 12.6% | $178,400 |
| Star City | 1,960 | $59,123 | 17.8% | $256,200 |
| Granville | 1,257 | $31,901 | 45.8% | $138,300 |
| Cassville | 1,149 | $90,478 | 15.1% | $253,000 |
| Booth | 129 | $62,813 | 0.0% | $217,500 |
| Blacksville | 55 | N/A | 32.7% | $95,600 |
Cities Similar to Cheat Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | 9,252 | $100,022 | $291,600 | 53.4% | 3.9% |
| Teays Valley | 14,151 | $108,741 | $278,000 | 46.7% | 5.1% |
| Vienna | 10,518 | $60,388 | $154,300 | 31.4% | 10.2% |
| St. Albans | 10,522 | $53,972 | $140,800 | 24.3% | 14.1% |
| Cross Lanes | 9,671 | $63,537 | $153,800 | 32.4% | 5.1% |
Population Overview
Cheat Lake is a small city located in West Virginia, within Monongalia County. The total population is 10,902. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cheat Lake is 40.6 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cheat Lake is $117,014. This is 96% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 45% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 61% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $367,600. Housing costs are 126% higher than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 83.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cheat Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.9% vs 0.8%).
Education
61.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Cheat Lake in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 156% 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 98.0%. Notably, 41.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cheat Lake, 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 Cheat Lake, West Virginia?
Cheat Lake, West Virginia has a population of 10,902 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cheat Lake, WV?
The median household income in Cheat Lake is $117,014, which is 45% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cheat Lake, WV?
The poverty rate in Cheat Lake is 6.5%. This means approximately 710 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cheat Lake, West Virginia?
Cheat Lake's population is 88.8% White, 2.9% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cheat Lake, WV?
The median home value in Cheat Lake is $367,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Cheat Lake, West Virginia?
61.8% of adults (25+) in Cheat Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 41.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.