Despard, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Despard, West Virginia had a total population of 972, the 155th largest community in West Virginia, with a median household income of $24,455, which is 59% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 59% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 22.0% is notably above the national average.
Despard Quick Facts
How Despard 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 | 1,038 | 972 | -6.4% |
| Median household income | $33,929 | $24,455 | -27.9% |
| Median home value | $82,100 | $86,500 | +5.4% |
How Despard 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+)
Despard Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Harrison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksburg | 15,549 | $47,386 | 23.5% | $129,900 |
| Bridgeport | 9,252 | $100,022 | 3.9% | $291,600 |
| Shinnston | 2,352 | $69,844 | 11.8% | $153,200 |
| Stonewood | 2,212 | $54,792 | 8.1% | $154,200 |
| Nutter Fort | 2,075 | $68,068 | 8.4% | $121,000 |
| Salem | 1,629 | $38,529 | 16.8% | $77,800 |
| Enterprise | 1,087 | $63,636 | 4.6% | $131,300 |
| Lumberport | 703 | $47,917 | 6.5% | $126,100 |
| East View | 604 | $54,782 | 4.6% | $66,500 |
| West Milford | 591 | $73,846 | 20.3% | $127,800 |
Cities Similar to Despard
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rupert | 909 | $28,194 | $104,000 | 3.9% | 50.0% |
| New Cumberland | 943 | $32,292 | $92,700 | 6.5% | 31.3% |
| McConnell | 818 | N/A | N/A | 16.1% | 48.5% |
| Corinne | 809 | N/A | $29,200 | 0.0% | 50.9% |
| Addison (Webster Springs) | 1,038 | $33,333 | $89,200 | 15.2% | 28.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 972, Despard'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
Despard is a small community located in West Virginia, within Harrison County. The total population is 972. It ranks as the 155th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Despard is 33.6 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Despard is $24,455. This is 59% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 70% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.1%. This is 56% 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 22.0%. This is 306% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $86,500. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 53.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Despard has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.3% of all residents.
Education
10.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 82.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Despard, 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 Despard, West Virginia?
Despard, West Virginia has a population of 972 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Despard, WV?
The median household income in Despard is $24,455, which is 70% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Despard, WV?
The poverty rate in Despard is 26.1%. This means approximately 252 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Despard, West Virginia?
Despard's population is 97.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Despard, WV?
The median home value in Despard is $86,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Despard, West Virginia?
10.5% of adults (25+) in Despard hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.