Keyser, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Keyser, West Virginia had a total population of 4,857, the 32nd largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $46,955, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.9% is notably above the national average.
Keyser Quick Facts
How Keyser 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 | 4,870 | 4,857 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $47,991 | $46,955 | -2.2% |
| Median home value | $141,400 | $143,000 | +1.1% |
How Keyser 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+)
Keyser Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Mineral County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Ashby | 1,283 | $44,538 | 16.6% | $225,300 |
| Carpendale | 1,035 | $66,027 | 10.8% | $171,300 |
| Piedmont | 735 | $42,375 | 23.9% | $46,700 |
| Wiley Ford | 630 | $90,775 | 10.6% | $189,000 |
| Ridgeley | 239 | $41,477 | 14.2% | $151,800 |
| Elk Garden | 212 | $61,250 | 3.3% | $91,000 |
| Burlington | 94 | N/A | 0.0% | $285,200 |
Cities Similar to Keyser
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton | 4,618 | $40,402 | $74,600 | 11.2% | 24.9% |
| Buckhannon | 5,116 | $54,615 | $158,100 | 24.4% | 21.7% |
| New Martinsville | 5,133 | $60,946 | $128,300 | 23.8% | 15.5% |
| Princeton | 5,736 | $43,900 | $120,300 | 21.0% | 16.9% |
| Barboursville | 4,376 | $60,571 | $197,700 | 34.1% | 19.2% |
Population Overview
Keyser is a small community located in West Virginia, within Mineral County. The total population is 4,857. It ranks as the 32nd most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Keyser is 38.3 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Keyser is $46,955. This is 21% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.8%. This is 90% 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 12.9%. This is 138% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $143,000. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 51.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Keyser has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% 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 87.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Keyser, 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 Keyser, West Virginia?
Keyser, West Virginia has a population of 4,857 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Keyser, WV?
The median household income in Keyser is $46,955, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Keyser, WV?
The poverty rate in Keyser is 31.8%. This means approximately 1,401 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Keyser, West Virginia?
Keyser's population is 87.1% White, 4.1% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Keyser, WV?
The median home value in Keyser is $143,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Keyser, West Virginia?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Keyser hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.