Parkersburg, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Parkersburg, West Virginia had a total population of 29,240, the 4th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $49,025, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Parkersburg is the 4th largest city in West Virginia with a population of 29,240.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Parkersburg Quick Facts
How Parkersburg 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 | 29,461 | 29,240 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $44,675 | $49,025 | +9.7% |
| Median home value | $113,900 | $121,600 | +6.8% |
How Parkersburg 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+)
Parkersburg Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Wood County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna | 10,518 | $60,388 | 10.2% | $154,300 |
| Blennerhassett | 3,282 | $88,487 | 9.3% | $179,800 |
| Williamstown | 2,980 | $89,013 | 5.2% | $182,500 |
| Mineralwells | 2,389 | $64,643 | 13.9% | $155,100 |
| Lubeck | 1,495 | $71,171 | 5.1% | $236,700 |
| Boaz | 1,400 | $72,560 | 10.6% | $244,500 |
| Washington | 1,139 | $60,365 | 6.9% | $251,000 |
| North Hills | 926 | $145,000 | 9.6% | $258,900 |
| Waverly | 361 | $68,507 | 24.1% | $271,200 |
| Kanawha | 192 | $60,547 | 12.0% | $262,500 |
Cities Similar to Parkersburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown | 30,236 | $44,727 | $259,400 | 58.5% | 30.4% |
| Wheeling | 26,350 | $48,590 | $146,500 | 34.1% | 20.5% |
| Huntington | 45,787 | $45,100 | $127,200 | 35.3% | 25.7% |
| Martinsburg | 18,904 | $59,555 | $240,000 | 24.7% | 19.8% |
| Weirton | 18,647 | $59,575 | $133,500 | 24.2% | 12.6% |
Population Overview
Parkersburg is a mid-sized community located in West Virginia, within Wood County. The total population is 29,240. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Parkersburg is 42.2 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Parkersburg is $49,025. This is 18% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.5%. This is 34% 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 7.9%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $121,600. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Parkersburg is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Parkersburg has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%.
Education
21.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Parkersburg, 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 Parkersburg, West Virginia?
Parkersburg, West Virginia has a population of 29,240 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Parkersburg, WV?
The median household income in Parkersburg is $49,025, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Parkersburg, WV?
The poverty rate in Parkersburg is 22.5%. This means approximately 6,486 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Parkersburg, West Virginia?
Parkersburg's population is 91.4% White, 1.6% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Parkersburg, WV?
The median home value in Parkersburg is $121,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Parkersburg, West Virginia?
21.0% of adults (25+) in Parkersburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.