Crab Orchard, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Crab Orchard, West Virginia had a total population of 1,139, the 136th largest community in West Virginia, with a median household income of $43,792, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 5.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Crab Orchard Quick Facts
How Crab Orchard 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 | 1,877 | 1,139 | -39.3% |
| Median household income | $59,122 | $43,792 | -25.9% |
| Median home value | $208,000 | $168,200 | -19.1% |
How Crab Orchard 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+)
Crab Orchard Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Raleigh County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley | 16,818 | $45,826 | 28.9% | $158,000 |
| Shady Spring | 3,381 | $67,407 | 13.8% | $188,900 |
| Sophia | 1,528 | $36,080 | 38.0% | $116,900 |
| MacArthur | 1,493 | $35,650 | 36.4% | $160,800 |
| Daniels | 1,489 | $60,278 | 24.2% | $171,300 |
| Stanaford | 1,449 | $44,219 | 44.5% | $162,800 |
| Bradley | 1,424 | $43,641 | 11.8% | $84,700 |
| Mabscott | 1,396 | $57,813 | 16.7% | $159,700 |
| Prosperity | 1,389 | $85,094 | 11.4% | $141,200 |
| Piney View | 986 | $66,422 | 1.5% | $98,800 |
Cities Similar to Crab Orchard
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ansted | 1,140 | $38,375 | $68,700 | 21.5% | 27.2% |
| Benwood | 1,230 | $43,636 | $74,900 | 6.4% | 29.3% |
| Mount Gay-Shamrock | 1,166 | $51,740 | $84,100 | 16.6% | 27.6% |
| Fort Ashby | 1,283 | $44,538 | $225,300 | 21.1% | 16.6% |
| Marlinton | 1,201 | $37,273 | $93,900 | 21.0% | 34.9% |
Population Overview
Crab Orchard is a small community located in West Virginia, within Raleigh County. The total population is 1,139. It ranks as the 136th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Crab Orchard is 61.8 years. This is 45% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 6.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 18.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Crab Orchard is $43,792. This is 27% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $168,200. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 87.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Crab Orchard was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
5.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 80.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Crab Orchard, 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 Crab Orchard, West Virginia?
Crab Orchard, West Virginia has a population of 1,139 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Crab Orchard, WV?
The median household income in Crab Orchard is $43,792, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Crab Orchard, WV?
The poverty rate in Crab Orchard is 16.6%. This means approximately 189 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Crab Orchard, West Virginia?
Crab Orchard's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Crab Orchard, WV?
The median home value in Crab Orchard is $168,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Crab Orchard, West Virginia?
5.8% of adults (25+) in Crab Orchard hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.