Parkersburg city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Parkersburg city, West Virginia has a total population of 29,461, the 4th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $44,675, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Parkersburg city is the 4th largest city in West Virginia with a population of 29,461.
Parkersburg city Quick Facts
How Parkersburg city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 18 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Parkersburg city Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Parkersburg city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown city | 30,273 | $42,245 | $238,200 | 58.1% | 33.6% |
| Wheeling city | 26,670 | $48,498 | $142,500 | 32.5% | 19.4% |
| Huntington city | 46,189 | $43,146 | $118,800 | 34.4% | 27.4% |
| Martinsburg city | 18,805 | $54,590 | $231,900 | 23.1% | 23.0% |
| Weirton city | 18,785 | $56,699 | $122,800 | 22.8% | 14.3% |
Population Overview
Parkersburg city is a mid-sized community located in West Virginia. The total population is 29,461. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Parkersburg city is 41.9 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Parkersburg city is $44,675. This is 23% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 43% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.0%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. 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 8.0%. This is 39% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $113,900. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Parkersburg city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Parkersburg city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.5%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
18.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 23.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Parkersburg city, West Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 430 Census-designated places in West Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Parkersburg city, West Virginia?
Parkersburg city, West Virginia has a population of 29,461 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Parkersburg city, WV?
The median household income in Parkersburg city is $44,675, which is 43% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Parkersburg city, WV?
The poverty rate in Parkersburg city is 23.0%. This means approximately 6,700 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Parkersburg city, West Virginia?
Parkersburg city's population is 92.4% White, 1.4% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Parkersburg city, WV?
The median home value in Parkersburg city is $113,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Parkersburg city, West Virginia?
18.5% of adults (25+) in Parkersburg city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.