Chester, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chester, West Virginia had a total population of 2,179, the 74th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $56,607, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
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 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.7% is notably above the national average.
Chester Quick Facts
How Chester 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 | 2,302 | 2,179 | -5.3% |
| Median household income | $63,750 | $56,607 | -11.2% |
| Median home value | $110,600 | $112,000 | +1.3% |
How Chester 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+)
Chester Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Hancock County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weirton | 18,647 | $59,575 | 12.6% | $133,500 |
| Newell | 1,246 | $60,278 | 25.8% | $88,100 |
| New Cumberland | 943 | $32,292 | 31.3% | $92,700 |
Cities Similar to Chester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stonewood | 2,212 | $54,792 | $154,200 | 25.9% | 8.1% |
| St. Marys | 2,174 | $63,547 | $147,300 | 23.7% | 6.7% |
| Hooverson Heights | 2,090 | $60,781 | $154,600 | 15.9% | 13.8% |
| Mullens | 2,034 | $61,563 | $78,600 | 31.1% | 13.8% |
| Star City | 1,960 | $59,123 | $256,200 | 48.5% | 17.8% |
Population Overview
Chester is a small community located in West Virginia, within Hancock County. The total population is 2,179. It ranks as the 74th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chester is 52.8 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chester is $56,607. This is 5% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 13.7%. This is 153% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $112,000. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Chester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Chester has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.6%.
Education
22.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% 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 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chester, 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 Chester, West Virginia?
Chester, West Virginia has a population of 2,179 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chester, WV?
The median household income in Chester is $56,607, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chester, WV?
The poverty rate in Chester is 15.6%. This means approximately 340 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chester, West Virginia?
Chester's population is 93.8% White, 0.0% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chester, WV?
The median home value in Chester is $112,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Chester, West Virginia?
22.5% of adults (25+) in Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.