Ghent, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ghent, West Virginia had a total population of 290, the 297th largest community in West Virginia, with a median household income of $109,692, which is 84% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 84% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in West Virginia.
- 39.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in West Virginia.
Ghent Quick Facts
How Ghent 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 | 363 | 290 | -20.1% |
| Median household income | $143,208 | $109,692 | -23.4% |
How Ghent 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+)
Ghent 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 |
| Crab Orchard | 1,139 | $43,792 | 16.6% | $168,200 |
Cities Similar to Ghent
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Dailey | 292 | $107,688 | N/A | 54.7% | 7.5% |
| Charlton Heights | 276 | N/A | N/A | 62.0% | 0.0% |
| Cottageville | 310 | N/A | $9,999 | 54.9% | 2.9% |
| Montrose | 295 | $98,250 | $190,300 | 22.0% | 1.7% |
| Brandywine | 267 | N/A | $109,800 | 0.0% | 33.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 290, Ghent'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
Ghent is a small community located in West Virginia, within Raleigh County. The total population is 290. It ranks as the 297th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ghent is 48.2 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. 25.2% 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 Ghent is $109,692. This is 84% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 36% higher than the national median of $80,734. The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in Ghent. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The survey records no unemployed residents in Ghent, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Ghent 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
39.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ghent in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 64% 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 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ghent, 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 Ghent, West Virginia?
Ghent, West Virginia has a population of 290 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ghent, WV?
The median household income in Ghent is $109,692, which is 36% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ghent, WV?
The ACS sample for Ghent recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of Ghent, West Virginia?
Ghent's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ghent, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Ghent — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Ghent, West Virginia?
39.7% of adults (25+) in Ghent hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.