Marlinton, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marlinton, West Virginia had a total population of 1,201, the 130th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $37,273, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 21.9% is notably above the national average.
Marlinton Quick Facts
How Marlinton 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 | 1,050 | 1,201 | +14.4% |
| Median household income | $42,386 | $37,273 | -12.1% |
| Median home value | $90,500 | $93,900 | +3.8% |
How Marlinton 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+)
Marlinton Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Pocahontas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durbin | 220 | $59,750 | 13.6% | $98,500 |
| Hillsboro | 194 | $51,188 | 12.7% | N/A |
| Frank | 188 | N/A | 46.8% | N/A |
| Huntersville | 95 | $39,044 | 6.3% | $120,800 |
| Green Bank | 84 | $76,635 | 9.5% | $183,700 |
| Bartow | 47 | $129,688 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Arbovale | 20 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Marlinton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oceana | 1,203 | $32,875 | $66,900 | 5.9% | 43.1% |
| Ansted | 1,140 | $38,375 | $68,700 | 21.5% | 27.2% |
| Lesage | 1,329 | N/A | $221,900 | 21.7% | 34.7% |
| Benwood | 1,230 | $43,636 | $74,900 | 6.4% | 29.3% |
| Granville | 1,257 | $31,901 | $138,300 | 20.2% | 45.8% |
Population Overview
Marlinton is a small community located in West Virginia, within Pocahontas County. The total population is 1,201. It ranks as the 130th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marlinton is 42.5 years. This is about the same as the state median of 42.7 years. 14.2% 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 Marlinton is $37,273. This is 37% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.9%. This is 109% 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 21.9%. This is 303% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $93,900. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Marlinton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Marlinton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.1%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.1% vs 2.1%).
Education
21.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 86.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marlinton, 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 Marlinton, West Virginia?
Marlinton, West Virginia has a population of 1,201 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Marlinton, WV?
The median household income in Marlinton is $37,273, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marlinton, WV?
The poverty rate in Marlinton is 34.9%. This means approximately 389 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marlinton, West Virginia?
Marlinton's population is 89.8% White, 1.1% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marlinton, WV?
The median home value in Marlinton is $93,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Marlinton, West Virginia?
21.0% of adults (25+) in Marlinton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.