Nitro, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nitro, West Virginia had a total population of 6,853, the 25th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $53,848, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Nitro Quick Facts
How Nitro 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 | 6,941 | 6,853 | -1.3% |
| Median household income | $52,247 | $53,848 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $120,400 | $128,900 | +7.1% |
How Nitro 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+)
Nitro Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Kanawha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 47,421 | $65,812 | 15.8% | $203,300 |
| South Charleston | 13,457 | $63,884 | 16.9% | $155,400 |
| St. Albans | 10,522 | $53,972 | 14.1% | $140,800 |
| Cross Lanes | 9,671 | $63,537 | 5.1% | $153,800 |
| Dunbar | 7,254 | $58,379 | 14.9% | $119,600 |
| Pinch | 4,037 | $76,741 | 5.1% | $221,500 |
| Sissonville | 3,593 | $66,944 | 23.4% | $180,800 |
| Alum Creek | 1,749 | $74,231 | 11.0% | $159,300 |
| Chesapeake | 1,702 | $60,927 | 21.5% | $84,500 |
| Belle | 1,611 | $77,031 | 3.3% | $107,100 |
Cities Similar to Nitro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunbar | 7,254 | $58,379 | $119,600 | 29.2% | 14.9% |
| Elkins | 6,811 | $44,217 | $152,700 | 31.1% | 17.3% |
| Pea Ridge | 6,988 | $65,811 | $188,500 | 47.6% | 9.8% |
| Hurricane | 6,855 | $71,167 | $210,500 | 37.5% | 8.5% |
| Oak Hill | 7,937 | $52,466 | $118,700 | 15.6% | 21.7% |
Population Overview
Nitro is a small city located in West Virginia, within Kanawha County. The total population is 6,853. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nitro is 44.5 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Nitro is $53,848. This is 10% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.2%. This is 21% 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 5.4%. The median home value is $128,900. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Nitro is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Nitro has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.5%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 89.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nitro, 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.
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 Nitro, West Virginia?
Nitro, West Virginia has a population of 6,853 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nitro, WV?
The median household income in Nitro is $53,848, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nitro, WV?
The poverty rate in Nitro is 20.2%. This means approximately 1,385 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nitro, West Virginia?
Nitro's population is 87.3% White, 1.5% Black, 0.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nitro, WV?
The median home value in Nitro is $128,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Nitro, West Virginia?
17.2% of adults (25+) in Nitro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.