Dunbar, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dunbar, West Virginia had a total population of 7,254, the 22nd largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $58,379, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.9%.
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.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Dunbar Quick Facts
How Dunbar 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 | 7,340 | 7,254 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $54,647 | $58,379 | +6.8% |
| Median home value | $121,100 | $119,600 | -1.2% |
How Dunbar 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+)
Dunbar 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 |
| 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 |
| Chesapeake | 1,702 | $60,927 | 21.5% | $84,500 |
| Belle | 1,611 | $77,031 | 3.3% | $107,100 |
Cities Similar to Dunbar
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitro | 6,853 | $53,848 | $128,900 | 17.2% | 20.2% |
| Pea Ridge | 6,988 | $65,811 | $188,500 | 47.6% | 9.8% |
| Oak Hill | 7,937 | $52,466 | $118,700 | 15.6% | 21.7% |
| Hurricane | 6,855 | $71,167 | $210,500 | 37.5% | 8.5% |
| Moundsville | 7,869 | $49,048 | $118,600 | 17.3% | 22.5% |
Population Overview
Dunbar is a small city located in West Virginia, within Kanawha County. The total population is 7,254. It ranks as the 22nd most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dunbar is 42.9 years. This is about the same as the state median of 42.7 years. Only 12.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.0% 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 Dunbar is $58,379. This is 2% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.9%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $119,600. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Dunbar is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dunbar is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (7.6% vs 3.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (3.9% vs 2.1%).
Education
29.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 94.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dunbar, 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 Dunbar, West Virginia?
Dunbar, West Virginia has a population of 7,254 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dunbar, WV?
The median household income in Dunbar is $58,379, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dunbar, WV?
The poverty rate in Dunbar is 14.9%. This means approximately 1,060 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dunbar, West Virginia?
Dunbar's population is 77.0% White, 7.6% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dunbar, WV?
The median home value in Dunbar is $119,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Dunbar, West Virginia?
29.2% of adults (25+) in Dunbar hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.