Morgantown city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Morgantown city, West Virginia has a total population of 30,273, the 3rd largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $42,245, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Morgantown city is the 3rd largest city in West Virginia with a population of 30,273.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 58.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in West Virginia.
Morgantown city Quick Facts
How Morgantown city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 18 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Morgantown city Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Morgantown city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkersburg city | 29,461 | $44,675 | $113,900 | 18.5% | 23.0% |
| Wheeling city | 26,670 | $48,498 | $142,500 | 32.5% | 19.4% |
| Huntington city | 46,189 | $43,146 | $118,800 | 34.4% | 27.4% |
| Martinsburg city | 18,805 | $54,590 | $231,900 | 23.1% | 23.0% |
| Beckley city | 16,977 | $39,939 | $148,800 | 25.9% | 27.0% |
Population Overview
Morgantown city is a mid-sized community located in West Virginia. The total population is 30,273. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Morgantown city is 24.0 years. This is 44% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 9.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Morgantown city is $42,245. This is 27% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 46% lower. The poverty rate stands at 33.6%. This is 102% 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 7.6%. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $238,200. Housing costs are 53% higher than the state median of $155,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 44.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Morgantown city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 4.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (4.0% vs 2.0%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.9% vs 0.8%).
Education
58.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Morgantown city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 150% higher 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 93.0%. Notably, 32.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Morgantown city, West Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 430 Census-designated places in West Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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 Morgantown city, West Virginia?
Morgantown city, West Virginia has a population of 30,273 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Morgantown city, WV?
The median household income in Morgantown city is $42,245, which is 46% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Morgantown city, WV?
The poverty rate in Morgantown city is 33.6%. This means approximately 8,398 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Morgantown city, West Virginia?
Morgantown city's population is 84.2% White, 4.2% Black, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Morgantown city, WV?
The median home value in Morgantown city is $238,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Morgantown city, West Virginia?
58.1% of adults (25+) in Morgantown city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 32.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.