Hilltop, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hilltop, West Virginia had a total population of 397, the 257th largest community in West Virginia, with a median household income of $30,884, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Unemployment rate of 29.6% is notably above the national average.
Hilltop Quick Facts
How Hilltop 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 | 655 | 397 | -39.4% |
| Median household income | $48,750 | $30,884 | -36.6% |
| Median home value | $61,900 | $56,300 | -9.0% |
How Hilltop 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+)
Hilltop Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Fayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Hill | 7,937 | $52,466 | 21.7% | $118,700 |
| Fayetteville | 2,817 | $67,623 | 10.3% | $184,000 |
| Mount Hope | 1,504 | $34,375 | 32.3% | $101,000 |
| Ansted | 1,140 | $38,375 | 27.2% | $68,700 |
| Gatewood | 605 | $76,351 | 0.7% | $109,600 |
| Meadow Bridge | 504 | $43,750 | 15.7% | N/A |
| Powellton | 479 | N/A | 16.5% | $70,900 |
| Gauley Bridge | 413 | $25,625 | 40.9% | $66,500 |
| Falls View | 372 | N/A | 51.6% | N/A |
| Kimberly | 357 | N/A | 69.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Hilltop
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prichard | 389 | N/A | $95,500 | 8.9% | 34.7% |
| Glen Fork | 411 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Clay | 378 | N/A | $44,300 | 3.9% | 77.8% |
| Grantsville | 401 | $28,438 | $55,800 | 11.8% | 48.5% |
| Lester | 377 | N/A | $89,400 | 11.2% | 41.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 397, Hilltop'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
Hilltop is a small community located in West Virginia, within Fayette County. The total population is 397. It ranks as the 257th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hilltop is 47.5 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 3.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.1% 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 Hilltop is $30,884. This is 48% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 62% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.1%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 29.6%. This is 446% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $56,300. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Hilltop is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hilltop has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.0% of all residents.
Education
8.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 73.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hilltop, 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.
Free data download: Get all West Virginia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hilltop, West Virginia?
Hilltop, West Virginia has a population of 397 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hilltop, WV?
The median household income in Hilltop is $30,884, which is 62% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hilltop, WV?
The poverty rate in Hilltop is 18.1%. This means approximately 58 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hilltop, West Virginia?
Hilltop's population is 97.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hilltop, WV?
The median home value in Hilltop is $56,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Hilltop, West Virginia?
8.9% of adults (25+) in Hilltop hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.