Milton, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Milton, West Virginia had a total population of 2,817, the 56th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $46,429, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.8%.
Milton Quick Facts
How Milton 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 | 2,773 | 2,817 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $54,135 | $46,429 | -14.2% |
| Median home value | $123,500 | $143,900 | +16.5% |
How Milton 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+)
Milton Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Cabell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington | 45,787 | $45,100 | 25.7% | $127,200 |
| Pea Ridge | 6,988 | $65,811 | 9.8% | $188,500 |
| Barboursville | 4,376 | $60,571 | 19.2% | $197,700 |
| Culloden | 3,040 | $73,318 | 11.8% | $197,800 |
| Lesage | 1,329 | N/A | 34.7% | $221,900 |
| Salt Rock | 274 | $55,354 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Milton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philippi | 2,861 | $45,879 | $114,500 | 17.3% | 29.4% |
| White Sulphur Springs | 2,549 | $46,178 | $117,000 | 20.7% | 23.2% |
| Kenova | 2,944 | $53,683 | $109,000 | 14.3% | 9.0% |
| Madison | 2,788 | $58,872 | $147,900 | 20.6% | 12.9% |
| Follansbee | 2,757 | $58,371 | $133,900 | 22.8% | 8.1% |
Population Overview
Milton is a small community located in West Virginia, within Cabell County. The total population is 2,817. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Milton is 33.7 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. With 32.5% of the population under 18, Milton has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Milton is $46,429. This is 22% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 39% 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 0.8%. This is 85% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $143,900. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 59.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Milton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.3%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
18.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Milton, 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 Milton, West Virginia?
Milton, West Virginia has a population of 2,817 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Milton, WV?
The median household income in Milton is $46,429, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Milton, WV?
The poverty rate in Milton is 23.3%. This means approximately 653 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Milton, West Virginia?
Milton's population is 95.8% White, 0.3% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Milton, WV?
The median home value in Milton is $143,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Milton, West Virginia?
18.3% of adults (25+) in Milton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.