Martinsburg, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Martinsburg, West Virginia had a total population of 18,904, the 6th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $59,555, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 19.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Martinsburg Quick Facts
How Martinsburg 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 | 18,805 | 18,904 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $54,590 | $59,555 | +9.1% |
| Median home value | $231,900 | $240,000 | +3.5% |
How Martinsburg 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Martinsburg Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Berkeley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inwood | 2,794 | $84,286 | 14.5% | $268,400 |
| Falling Waters | 2,183 | $88,466 | 4.3% | $212,900 |
| Hedgesville | 379 | $89,141 | 6.6% | $207,800 |
Cities Similar to Martinsburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weirton | 18,647 | $59,575 | $133,500 | 24.2% | 12.6% |
| Fairmont | 18,221 | $63,032 | $163,800 | 32.9% | 17.4% |
| Beckley | 16,818 | $45,826 | $158,000 | 29.2% | 28.9% |
| Clarksburg | 15,549 | $47,386 | $129,900 | 25.7% | 23.5% |
| South Charleston | 13,457 | $63,884 | $155,400 | 37.8% | 16.9% |
Population Overview
Martinsburg is a small city located in West Virginia, within Berkeley County. The total population is 18,904. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Martinsburg is 37.4 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Martinsburg is $59,555. This is about the same as the state median of $59,608. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.8%. This is 18% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $240,000. Housing costs are 48% higher than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 47.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Martinsburg is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (15.2% vs 3.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.6% vs 2.1%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.
Education
24.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Martinsburg, 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 Martinsburg, West Virginia?
Martinsburg, West Virginia has a population of 18,904 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Martinsburg, WV?
The median household income in Martinsburg is $59,555, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Martinsburg, WV?
The poverty rate in Martinsburg is 19.8%. This means approximately 3,717 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Martinsburg, West Virginia?
Martinsburg's population is 64.7% White, 15.2% Black, 10.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Martinsburg, WV?
The median home value in Martinsburg is $240,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Martinsburg, West Virginia?
24.7% of adults (25+) in Martinsburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.