Clifton, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clifton, West Virginia had a total population of 211, the 331st largest community in West Virginia. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Clifton Quick Facts
How Clifton 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 | 392 | 211 | -46.2% |
How Clifton 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+)
Clifton Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Mason County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Point Pleasant | 3,961 | $37,563 | 24.4% | $118,000 |
| New Haven | 1,493 | $55,938 | 19.6% | $106,500 |
| Mason | 787 | $45,893 | 21.9% | $110,400 |
| Gallipolis Ferry | 731 | $43,750 | 36.8% | $91,900 |
| Hartford City | 557 | $51,635 | 15.3% | $82,000 |
| Leon | 252 | $33,750 | 35.6% | N/A |
| Apple Grove | 202 | $78,262 | 7.9% | N/A |
| Henderson | 174 | $34,479 | 36.8% | $96,700 |
Cities Similar to Clifton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Garden | 212 | $61,250 | $91,000 | 3.6% | 3.3% |
| Big Creek | 210 | N/A | $140,400 | 7.2% | 0.0% |
| Wolf Summit | 213 | $33,750 | $117,300 | 6.4% | 7.0% |
| Ellenboro | 209 | $52,917 | $118,200 | 4.2% | 9.7% |
| Van | 214 | $75,000 | $52,900 | 3.0% | 12.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 211, Clifton'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
Clifton is a small community located in West Virginia, within Mason County. The total population is 211. It ranks as the 331st most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clifton is 57.4 years. This is 34% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 12.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 21.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Clifton, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clifton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 13.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (13.7% vs 3.1%).
Education
25.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 95.3%. Notably, 20.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clifton, 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 Clifton, West Virginia?
Clifton, West Virginia has a population of 211 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clifton, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Clifton — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clifton, WV?
The poverty rate in Clifton is 13.7%. This means approximately 29 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clifton, West Virginia?
Clifton's population is 86.3% White, 13.7% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clifton, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Clifton — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Clifton, West Virginia?
25.0% of adults (25+) in Clifton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.