Mount Hope, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mount Hope, West Virginia had a total population of 1,504, the 98th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $34,375, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 14.6% is notably above the national average.
Mount Hope Quick Facts
How Mount Hope 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 | 1,369 | 1,504 | +9.9% |
| Median household income | $26,983 | $34,375 | +27.4% |
| Median home value | $91,900 | $101,000 | +9.9% |
How Mount Hope 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+)
Mount Hope Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Fayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Hill | 7,937 | $52,466 | 21.7% | $118,700 |
| Fayetteville | 2,817 | $67,623 | 10.3% | $184,000 |
| Ansted | 1,140 | $38,375 | 27.2% | $68,700 |
| Gatewood | 605 | $76,351 | 0.7% | $109,600 |
| Meadow Bridge | 504 | $43,750 | 15.7% | N/A |
| Powellton | 479 | N/A | 16.5% | $70,900 |
| Gauley Bridge | 413 | $25,625 | 40.9% | $66,500 |
| Hilltop | 397 | $30,884 | 18.1% | $56,300 |
| Falls View | 372 | N/A | 51.6% | N/A |
| Kimberly | 357 | N/A | 69.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Mount Hope
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacArthur | 1,493 | $35,650 | $160,800 | 4.8% | 36.4% |
| Sophia | 1,528 | $36,080 | $116,900 | 6.6% | 38.0% |
| Rainelle | 1,458 | $35,625 | $80,800 | 12.6% | 29.8% |
| Montgomery | 1,516 | $27,679 | $133,000 | 19.7% | 28.3% |
| Alderson | 1,383 | $32,212 | $130,400 | 12.4% | 45.8% |
Population Overview
Mount Hope is a small community located in West Virginia, within Fayette County. The total population is 1,504. It ranks as the 98th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mount Hope is 39.8 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mount Hope is $34,375. This is 42% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.3%. This is 93% 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 14.6%. This is 169% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $101,000. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Mount Hope is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mount Hope is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 19.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (19.3% vs 3.1%).
Education
12.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mount Hope, 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 Mount Hope, West Virginia?
Mount Hope, West Virginia has a population of 1,504 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mount Hope, WV?
The median household income in Mount Hope is $34,375, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mount Hope, WV?
The poverty rate in Mount Hope is 32.3%. This means approximately 482 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mount Hope, West Virginia?
Mount Hope's population is 78.4% White, 19.3% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mount Hope, WV?
The median home value in Mount Hope is $101,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Mount Hope, West Virginia?
12.2% of adults (25+) in Mount Hope hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.