Grafton city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Grafton city, West Virginia has a total population of 4,671, the 33rd largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $38,872, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Grafton city Quick Facts
How Grafton city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 18 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Grafton city Rankings in West Virginia
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Cities Similar to Grafton city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keyser city | 4,870 | $47,991 | $141,400 | 21.1% | 27.3% |
| Point Pleasant city | 4,009 | $40,837 | $113,900 | 22.6% | 25.8% |
| Buckhannon city | 5,144 | $48,720 | $152,000 | 21.5% | 24.6% |
| New Martinsville city | 5,175 | $51,226 | $112,600 | 16.9% | 18.8% |
| Ravenswood city | 3,846 | $45,392 | $99,600 | 20.0% | 29.6% |
Population Overview
Grafton city is a small community located in West Virginia. The total population is 4,671. It ranks as the 33rd most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grafton city is 41.0 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Grafton city is $38,872. This is 33% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 51% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.6%. This is 54% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. 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 9.3%. This is 63% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $72,700. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Grafton city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Grafton city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.3% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.3%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.0%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.
Education
11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 23.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grafton city, West Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 430 Census-designated places in West Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Grafton city, West Virginia?
Grafton city, West Virginia has a population of 4,671 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grafton city, WV?
The median household income in Grafton city is $38,872, which is 51% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Grafton city, WV?
The poverty rate in Grafton city is 25.6%. This means approximately 1,178 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grafton city, West Virginia?
Grafton city's population is 96.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grafton city, WV?
The median home value in Grafton city is $72,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Grafton city, West Virginia?
11.3% of adults (25+) in Grafton city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.