Huntington, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Huntington, West Virginia had a total population of 45,787, the 2nd largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $45,100, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Huntington is the 2nd largest city in West Virginia with a population of 45,787.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Huntington Quick Facts
How Huntington 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 | 46,189 | 45,787 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $43,146 | $45,100 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $118,800 | $127,200 | +7.1% |
How Huntington 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+)
Huntington Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Cabell County
Cities Similar to Huntington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 47,421 | $65,812 | $203,300 | 45.2% | 15.8% |
| Morgantown | 30,236 | $44,727 | $259,400 | 58.5% | 30.4% |
| Parkersburg | 29,240 | $49,025 | $121,600 | 21.0% | 22.5% |
| Wheeling | 26,350 | $48,590 | $146,500 | 34.1% | 20.5% |
| Beckley | 16,818 | $45,826 | $158,000 | 29.2% | 28.9% |
Population Overview
Huntington is a mid-sized community located in West Virginia, within Cabell County. The total population is 45,787. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Huntington is 34.7 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Huntington is $45,100. This is 24% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 54% 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 6.8%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $127,200. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Huntington is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Huntington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.5% vs 3.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.2% vs 0.8%).
Education
35.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 89.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Huntington, 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 Huntington, West Virginia?
Huntington, West Virginia has a population of 45,787 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Huntington, WV?
The median household income in Huntington is $45,100, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Huntington, WV?
The poverty rate in Huntington is 25.7%. This means approximately 10,911 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Huntington, West Virginia?
Huntington's population is 83.6% White, 6.5% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Huntington, WV?
The median home value in Huntington is $127,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Huntington, West Virginia?
35.3% of adults (25+) in Huntington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.