Chesapeake, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chesapeake, West Virginia had a total population of 1,702, the 89th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $60,927, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Chesapeake Quick Facts
How Chesapeake 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 | 1,615 | 1,702 | +5.4% |
| Median household income | $60,526 | $60,927 | +0.7% |
| Median home value | $83,100 | $84,500 | +1.7% |
How Chesapeake 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+)
Chesapeake Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Kanawha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 47,421 | $65,812 | 15.8% | $203,300 |
| South Charleston | 13,457 | $63,884 | 16.9% | $155,400 |
| St. Albans | 10,522 | $53,972 | 14.1% | $140,800 |
| Cross Lanes | 9,671 | $63,537 | 5.1% | $153,800 |
| Dunbar | 7,254 | $58,379 | 14.9% | $119,600 |
| Nitro | 6,853 | $53,848 | 20.2% | $128,900 |
| Pinch | 4,037 | $76,741 | 5.1% | $221,500 |
| Sissonville | 3,593 | $66,944 | 23.4% | $180,800 |
| Alum Creek | 1,749 | $74,231 | 11.0% | $159,300 |
| Belle | 1,611 | $77,031 | 3.3% | $107,100 |
Cities Similar to Chesapeake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alum Creek | 1,749 | $74,231 | $159,300 | 6.7% | 11.0% |
| Mannington | 1,829 | $54,286 | $106,000 | 18.6% | 10.4% |
| Daniels | 1,489 | $60,278 | $171,300 | 29.4% | 24.2% |
| Eleanor | 1,726 | $78,578 | $255,400 | 16.8% | 5.9% |
| Star City | 1,960 | $59,123 | $256,200 | 48.5% | 17.8% |
Population Overview
Chesapeake is a small community located in West Virginia, within Kanawha County. The total population is 1,702. It ranks as the 89th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chesapeake is 37.7 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chesapeake is $60,927. This is 2% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.5%. This is 29% 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 2.3%. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $84,500. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Chesapeake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chesapeake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.2%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
10.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, West Virginia?
Chesapeake, West Virginia has a population of 1,702 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chesapeake, WV?
The median household income in Chesapeake is $60,927, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chesapeake, WV?
The poverty rate in Chesapeake is 21.5%. This means approximately 366 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chesapeake, West Virginia?
Chesapeake's population is 93.2% White, 0.8% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chesapeake, WV?
The median home value in Chesapeake is $84,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Chesapeake, West Virginia?
10.3% of adults (25+) in Chesapeake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.