McDowell County, West Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

McDowell County is located in West Virginia with a total population of 18,413. It is the 32nd most populous county out of 55 in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in McDowell County is 43.6 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in McDowell County is $29,980. This is 48% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 62% lower. The poverty rate stands at 30.9%. This is 86% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. 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 14.9%. This is 160% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $49,200. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, McDowell County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

McDowell County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 9.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (9.0% vs 3.2%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.

Education

5.8% 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. This is 75% lower than the state rate of 23.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 75.9%.