Newell, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Newell, West Virginia had a total population of 1,246, the 126th largest community in West Virginia, with a median household income of $60,278, which is 1% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 18.2% is notably above the national average.
Newell Quick Facts
How Newell 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 | 1,252 | 1,246 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $38,924 | $60,278 | +54.9% |
| Median home value | $86,700 | $88,100 | +1.6% |
How Newell 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+)
Newell Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Hancock County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weirton | 18,647 | $59,575 | 12.6% | $133,500 |
| Chester | 2,179 | $56,607 | 15.6% | $112,000 |
| New Cumberland | 943 | $32,292 | 31.3% | $92,700 |
Cities Similar to Newell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesage | 1,329 | N/A | $221,900 | 21.7% | 34.7% |
| Washington | 1,139 | $60,365 | $251,000 | 33.3% | 6.9% |
| Buffalo | 1,150 | $64,583 | $132,900 | 12.8% | 19.9% |
| Mabscott | 1,396 | $57,813 | $159,700 | 29.7% | 16.7% |
| Mount Gay-Shamrock | 1,166 | $51,740 | $84,100 | 16.6% | 27.6% |
Population Overview
Newell is a small community located in West Virginia, within Hancock County. The total population is 1,246. It ranks as the 126th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Newell is 39.8 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Newell is $60,278. This is 1% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.8%. This is 55% 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 18.2%. This is 236% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $88,100. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Newell is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Newell has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
19.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 73.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Newell, 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 Newell, West Virginia?
Newell, West Virginia has a population of 1,246 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Newell, WV?
The median household income in Newell is $60,278, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Newell, WV?
The poverty rate in Newell is 25.8%. This means approximately 322 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Newell, West Virginia?
Newell's population is 97.6% White, 0.6% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Newell, WV?
The median home value in Newell is $88,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Newell, West Virginia?
19.9% of adults (25+) in Newell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.