Paden City, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paden City, West Virginia had a total population of 2,415, the 64th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $66,101, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
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 1.6x.
Paden City Quick Facts
How Paden City 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 | 2,529 | 2,415 | -4.5% |
| Median household income | $53,871 | $66,101 | +22.7% |
| Median home value | $102,100 | $103,200 | +1.1% |
How Paden City 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+)
Paden City Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Wetzel County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Martinsville | 5,133 | $60,946 | 15.5% | $128,300 |
| Hundred | 371 | $45,938 | 18.6% | N/A |
| Pine Grove | 367 | $43,333 | 40.6% | $97,700 |
| Reader | 193 | $63,942 | 13.5% | $85,300 |
| Jacksonburg | 181 | N/A | 8.3% | N/A |
| Smithfield | 113 | N/A | 61.1% | N/A |
| Littleton | 89 | N/A | 11.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Paden City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mineralwells | 2,389 | $64,643 | $155,100 | 15.3% | 13.9% |
| Shinnston | 2,352 | $69,844 | $153,200 | 26.1% | 11.8% |
| St. Marys | 2,174 | $63,547 | $147,300 | 23.7% | 6.7% |
| Fayetteville | 2,817 | $67,623 | $184,000 | 28.3% | 10.3% |
| Nutter Fort | 2,075 | $68,068 | $121,000 | 29.0% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Paden City is a small community located in West Virginia, within Wetzel County. The total population is 2,415. It ranks as the 64th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paden City is 40.4 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Paden City is $66,101. This is 11% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 27% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $103,200. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Paden City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Paden City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.7% of all residents.
Education
15.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paden City, 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 Paden City, West Virginia?
Paden City, West Virginia has a population of 2,415 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paden City, WV?
The median household income in Paden City is $66,101, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paden City, WV?
The poverty rate in Paden City is 12.2%. This means approximately 293 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paden City, West Virginia?
Paden City's population is 98.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paden City, WV?
The median home value in Paden City is $103,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Paden City, West Virginia?
15.8% of adults (25+) in Paden City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.