Elkins, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elkins, West Virginia had a total population of 6,811, the 26th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $44,217, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Elkins Quick Facts
How Elkins 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 | 6,875 | 6,811 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $47,746 | $44,217 | -7.4% |
| Median home value | $130,500 | $152,700 | +17.0% |
How Elkins 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+)
Elkins Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Randolph County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Bend | 661 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Mill Creek | 659 | $47,852 | 8.3% | $95,000 |
| Beverly | 629 | $30,000 | 39.4% | $118,200 |
| Valley Head | 462 | $83,125 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Montrose | 295 | $98,250 | 1.7% | $190,300 |
| East Dailey | 292 | $107,688 | 7.5% | N/A |
| Womelsdorf (Coalton) | 280 | $68,125 | 1.1% | $98,300 |
| Huttonsville | 225 | $36,125 | 60.4% | N/A |
| Norton | 196 | N/A | 8.2% | $93,700 |
| Harman | 119 | N/A | 31.9% | $150,000 |
Cities Similar to Elkins
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% |
| Princeton | 5,736 | $43,900 | $120,300 | 21.0% | 16.9% |
| Moundsville | 7,869 | $49,048 | $118,600 | 17.3% | 22.5% |
| Dunbar | 7,254 | $58,379 | $119,600 | 29.2% | 14.9% |
| Pea Ridge | 6,988 | $65,811 | $188,500 | 47.6% | 9.8% |
Population Overview
Elkins is a small city located in West Virginia, within Randolph County. The total population is 6,811. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elkins is 40.5 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elkins is $44,217. This is 26% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $152,700. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elkins has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (3.4% vs 2.1%).
Education
31.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elkins, 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 Elkins, West Virginia?
Elkins, West Virginia has a population of 6,811 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elkins, WV?
The median household income in Elkins is $44,217, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elkins, WV?
The poverty rate in Elkins is 17.3%. This means approximately 1,134 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elkins, West Virginia?
Elkins's population is 87.1% White, 2.8% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elkins, WV?
The median home value in Elkins is $152,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Elkins, West Virginia?
31.1% of adults (25+) in Elkins hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.