Morgantown, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Morgantown, West Virginia had a total population of 30,236, the 3rd largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $44,727, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Morgantown is the 3rd largest city in West Virginia with a population of 30,236.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 58.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in West Virginia.
Morgantown Quick Facts
How Morgantown 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 | 30,273 | 30,236 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $42,245 | $44,727 | +5.9% |
| Median home value | $238,200 | $259,400 | +8.9% |
How Morgantown 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+)
Morgantown Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Monongalia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheat Lake | 10,902 | $117,014 | 6.5% | $367,600 |
| Brookhaven | 6,212 | $88,438 | 10.5% | $261,000 |
| Westover | 4,026 | $60,769 | 12.6% | $178,400 |
| Star City | 1,960 | $59,123 | 17.8% | $256,200 |
| Granville | 1,257 | $31,901 | 45.8% | $138,300 |
| Cassville | 1,149 | $90,478 | 15.1% | $253,000 |
| Booth | 129 | $62,813 | 0.0% | $217,500 |
| Blacksville | 55 | N/A | 32.7% | $95,600 |
Cities Similar to Morgantown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkersburg | 29,240 | $49,025 | $121,600 | 21.0% | 22.5% |
| Wheeling | 26,350 | $48,590 | $146,500 | 34.1% | 20.5% |
| Huntington | 45,787 | $45,100 | $127,200 | 35.3% | 25.7% |
| Beckley | 16,818 | $45,826 | $158,000 | 29.2% | 28.9% |
| Martinsburg | 18,904 | $59,555 | $240,000 | 24.7% | 19.8% |
Population Overview
Morgantown is a mid-sized community located in West Virginia, within Monongalia County. The total population is 30,236. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Morgantown is 23.9 years. This is 44% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 9.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Morgantown is $44,727. This is 25% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.4%. This is 82% 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 6.2%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $259,400. Housing costs are 60% higher than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 43.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Morgantown is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 4.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (4.3% vs 2.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.7% vs 0.8%).
Education
58.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Morgantown in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 142% higher 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 95.1%. Notably, 35.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Morgantown, 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 Morgantown, West Virginia?
Morgantown, West Virginia has a population of 30,236 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Morgantown, WV?
The median household income in Morgantown is $44,727, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Morgantown, WV?
The poverty rate in Morgantown is 30.4%. This means approximately 7,554 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Morgantown, West Virginia?
Morgantown's population is 83.0% White, 4.5% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Morgantown, WV?
The median home value in Morgantown is $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Morgantown, West Virginia?
58.5% of adults (25+) in Morgantown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 35.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.