Lester, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lester, West Virginia had a total population of 377, the 265th largest town in West Virginia. The poverty rate is 41.4%.
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 (41.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Lester Quick Facts
How Lester 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 | 492 | 377 | -23.4% |
| Median home value | $81,500 | $89,400 | +9.7% |
How Lester 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+)
Lester Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Raleigh County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley | 16,818 | $45,826 | 28.9% | $158,000 |
| Shady Spring | 3,381 | $67,407 | 13.8% | $188,900 |
| Sophia | 1,528 | $36,080 | 38.0% | $116,900 |
| MacArthur | 1,493 | $35,650 | 36.4% | $160,800 |
| Daniels | 1,489 | $60,278 | 24.2% | $171,300 |
| Stanaford | 1,449 | $44,219 | 44.5% | $162,800 |
| Bradley | 1,424 | $43,641 | 11.8% | $84,700 |
| Mabscott | 1,396 | $57,813 | 16.7% | $159,700 |
| Prosperity | 1,389 | $85,094 | 11.4% | $141,200 |
| Crab Orchard | 1,139 | $43,792 | 16.6% | $168,200 |
Cities Similar to Lester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay | 378 | N/A | $44,300 | 3.9% | 77.8% |
| Wardensville | 378 | $33,750 | $205,300 | 15.6% | 21.8% |
| Hedgesville | 379 | $89,141 | $207,800 | 21.6% | 6.6% |
| Hendricks | 375 | $58,333 | $133,000 | 10.8% | 7.7% |
| Falls View | 372 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 51.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 377, Lester'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
Lester is a small community located in West Virginia, within Raleigh County. The total population is 377. It ranks as the 265th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lester is 56.0 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 41.4%. This is 148% 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 5.6%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $89,400. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $162,600. 74.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Lester has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.3%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) 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 76.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lester, 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 Lester, West Virginia?
Lester, West Virginia has a population of 377 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lester, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Lester — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lester, WV?
The poverty rate in Lester is 41.4%. This means approximately 156 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lester, West Virginia?
Lester's population is 88.1% White, 1.3% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lester, WV?
The median home value in Lester is $89,400.
How educated is Lester, West Virginia?
11.2% of adults (25+) in Lester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.