McMechen, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, McMechen, West Virginia had a total population of 1,826, the 85th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $40,446, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
McMechen Quick Facts
How McMechen 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 | 1,735 | 1,826 | +5.2% |
| Median household income | $42,863 | $40,446 | -5.6% |
| Median home value | $89,500 | $96,900 | +8.3% |
How McMechen 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+)
McMechen Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Marshall County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moundsville | 7,869 | $49,048 | 22.5% | $118,600 |
| Glen Dale | 1,461 | $82,308 | 10.6% | $208,800 |
| Benwood | 1,230 | $43,636 | 29.3% | $74,900 |
| Cameron | 609 | $43,750 | 30.5% | $65,000 |
Cities Similar to McMechen
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belington | 1,781 | $48,508 | $104,400 | 11.6% | 25.2% |
| Terra Alta | 1,841 | $50,536 | $95,200 | 8.8% | 29.1% |
| Salem | 1,629 | $38,529 | $77,800 | 13.9% | 16.8% |
| Mannington | 1,829 | $54,286 | $106,000 | 18.6% | 10.4% |
| Romney | 1,922 | $49,286 | $184,400 | 14.9% | 25.9% |
Population Overview
McMechen is a small community located in West Virginia, within Marshall County. The total population is 1,826. It ranks as the 85th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in McMechen is 33.7 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. With 30.0% of the population under 18, McMechen has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McMechen is $40,446. This is 32% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.5%. This is 65% 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 7.5%. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $96,900. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, McMechen is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
McMechen has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.1%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.
Education
12.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for McMechen, 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.
Free data download: Get all West Virginia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of McMechen, West Virginia?
McMechen, West Virginia has a population of 1,826 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in McMechen, WV?
The median household income in McMechen is $40,446, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in McMechen, WV?
The poverty rate in McMechen is 27.5%. This means approximately 480 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of McMechen, West Virginia?
McMechen's population is 85.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in McMechen, WV?
The median home value in McMechen is $96,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is McMechen, West Virginia?
12.7% of adults (25+) in McMechen hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.