Gauley Bridge, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

A note before these figures: with a population of 413, Gauley Bridge'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

Gauley Bridge is a small community located in West Virginia, within Fayette County. The total population is 413. It ranks as the 253rd most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Gauley Bridge is 45.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. 16.0% 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 Gauley Bridge is $25,625. This is 57% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 68% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 40.9%. This is 145% 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 18.4%. This is 240% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $66,500. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Gauley Bridge is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 74.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Every resident counted in Gauley Bridge 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

14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 73.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Gauley Bridge, 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.