Paw Paw, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paw Paw, West Virginia had a total population of 459, the 246th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $65,000, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 6.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 18.6% is notably above the national average.
Paw Paw Quick Facts
How Paw Paw 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 | 440 | 459 | +4.3% |
| Median household income | $62,500 | $65,000 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $83,900 | $87,000 | +3.7% |
How Paw Paw 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+)
Paw Paw Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Morgan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bath (Berkeley Springs) | 975 | $39,219 | 20.4% | $185,100 |
| Great Cacapon | 587 | $53,173 | 36.8% | $81,900 |
Cities Similar to Paw Paw
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattaroy | 467 | N/A | N/A | 22.8% | 65.7% |
| Powellton | 479 | N/A | $70,900 | 0.0% | 16.5% |
| Red Jacket | 482 | N/A | $207,600 | 5.3% | 74.1% |
| Fort Gay | 437 | N/A | $62,300 | 5.2% | 38.0% |
| Pratt | 438 | $63,558 | $107,100 | 11.2% | 20.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 459, Paw Paw's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Paw Paw is a small community located in West Virginia, within Morgan County. The total population is 459. It ranks as the 246th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paw Paw is 47.8 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Paw Paw is $65,000. This is 9% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 48% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 18.6%. This is 243% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $87,000. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Paw Paw is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Paw Paw has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.8%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (6.8% vs 2.1%).
Education
6.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 82.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paw Paw, 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 Paw Paw, West Virginia?
Paw Paw, West Virginia has a population of 459 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paw Paw, WV?
The median household income in Paw Paw is $65,000, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paw Paw, WV?
The poverty rate in Paw Paw is 8.7%. This means approximately 40 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paw Paw, West Virginia?
Paw Paw's population is 85.8% White, 0.2% Black, 6.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paw Paw, WV?
The median home value in Paw Paw is $87,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Paw Paw, West Virginia?
6.6% of adults (25+) in Paw Paw hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.