Grafton, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Grafton, West Virginia had a total population of 4,618, the 33rd largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $40,402, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Grafton Quick Facts
How Grafton 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 | 4,671 | 4,618 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $38,872 | $40,402 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $72,700 | $74,600 | +2.6% |
How Grafton 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+)
Grafton Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Taylor County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flemington | 240 | $62,188 | 7.1% | $85,000 |
Cities Similar to Grafton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keyser | 4,857 | $46,955 | $143,000 | 18.0% | 31.8% |
| Point Pleasant | 3,961 | $37,563 | $118,000 | 28.2% | 24.4% |
| Buckhannon | 5,116 | $54,615 | $158,100 | 24.4% | 21.7% |
| Barboursville | 4,376 | $60,571 | $197,700 | 34.1% | 19.2% |
| Princeton | 5,736 | $43,900 | $120,300 | 21.0% | 16.9% |
Population Overview
Grafton is a small community located in West Virginia, within Taylor County. The total population is 4,618. It ranks as the 33rd most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grafton is 37.8 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Grafton is $40,402. This is 32% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 49% 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 7.4%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $74,600. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Grafton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Grafton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.1%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
11.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 84.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grafton, 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 Grafton, West Virginia?
Grafton, West Virginia has a population of 4,618 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grafton, WV?
The median household income in Grafton is $40,402, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Grafton, WV?
The poverty rate in Grafton is 24.9%. This means approximately 1,124 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grafton, West Virginia?
Grafton's population is 94.6% White, 0.0% Black, 0.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grafton, WV?
The median home value in Grafton is $74,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Grafton, West Virginia?
11.2% of adults (25+) in Grafton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.