Matoaka, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Matoaka, West Virginia had a total population of 30, the 417th largest community in West Virginia, with a median household income of $16,786, which is 72% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 93.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 72% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (93.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 100.0% is notably above the national average.
Matoaka Quick Facts
How Matoaka 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 | 92 | 30 | -67.4% |
| Median household income | $23,929 | $16,786 | -29.9% |
How Matoaka 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+)
Matoaka Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Mercer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluefield | 9,387 | $49,375 | 18.5% | $105,400 |
| Princeton | 5,736 | $43,900 | 16.9% | $120,300 |
| Bluewell | 1,992 | $35,168 | 18.3% | $125,500 |
| Athens | 1,494 | $56,667 | 19.4% | $168,100 |
| Brush Fork | 1,096 | $70,098 | 9.2% | $90,000 |
| Lashmeet | 655 | N/A | 13.0% | $187,500 |
| Montcalm | 484 | $63,024 | 16.5% | N/A |
| Oakvale | 254 | N/A | 10.3% | N/A |
| Bramwell | 135 | $53,929 | 23.7% | $93,000 |
Cities Similar to Matoaka
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raymond City | 28 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Glen Jean | 34 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Dailey | 23 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| New Richmond | 23 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Glen Ferris | 41 | N/A | N/A | 43.9% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 30, Matoaka'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
Matoaka is a small community located in West Virginia, within Mercer County. The total population is 30. It ranks as the 417th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Matoaka is 43.4 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 10.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Matoaka is $16,786. This is 72% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 79% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 93.3%. This is 459% 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 100.0%. This is 1745% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. 50.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Matoaka is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.3% of the population.
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 63.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Matoaka, 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 Matoaka, West Virginia?
Matoaka, West Virginia has a population of 30 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Matoaka, WV?
The median household income in Matoaka is $16,786, which is 79% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Matoaka, WV?
The poverty rate in Matoaka is 93.3%. This means approximately 28 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Matoaka, West Virginia?
Matoaka's population is 83.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Matoaka, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Matoaka — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Matoaka, West Virginia?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Matoaka hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.