MacArthur, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, MacArthur, West Virginia had a total population of 1,493, the 101st largest community in West Virginia, with a median household income of $35,650, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 36.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 4.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 16.9% is notably above the national average.
MacArthur Quick Facts
How MacArthur 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 | 1,287 | 1,493 | +16.0% |
| Median household income | $26,824 | $35,650 | +32.9% |
| Median home value | $126,700 | $160,800 | +26.9% |
How MacArthur 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+)
MacArthur 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 |
| 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 |
| Piney View | 986 | $66,422 | 1.5% | $98,800 |
Cities Similar to MacArthur
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainelle | 1,458 | $35,625 | $80,800 | 12.6% | 29.8% |
| Mount Hope | 1,504 | $34,375 | $101,000 | 12.2% | 32.3% |
| Sophia | 1,528 | $36,080 | $116,900 | 6.6% | 38.0% |
| Parsons | 1,448 | $40,547 | $96,300 | 10.7% | 23.6% |
| West Liberty | 1,481 | $43,750 | $151,900 | 39.9% | 33.6% |
Population Overview
MacArthur is a small community located in West Virginia, within Raleigh County. The total population is 1,493. It ranks as the 101st most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in MacArthur is 44.5 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in MacArthur is $35,650. This is 40% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 36.4%. This is 118% 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 16.9%. This is 213% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $160,800. Housing costs are 1% lower than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 84.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in MacArthur was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 99.9% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
4.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 80% 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 86.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for MacArthur, 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 MacArthur, West Virginia?
MacArthur, West Virginia has a population of 1,493 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in MacArthur, WV?
The median household income in MacArthur is $35,650, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in MacArthur, WV?
The poverty rate in MacArthur is 36.4%. This means approximately 543 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of MacArthur, West Virginia?
MacArthur's population is 99.9% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in MacArthur, WV?
The median home value in MacArthur is $160,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is MacArthur, West Virginia?
4.8% of adults (25+) in MacArthur hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.