Pennsboro, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pennsboro, West Virginia had a total population of 1,334, the 120th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $51,327, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.2%.
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 1.7x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Pennsboro Quick Facts
How Pennsboro 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 | 1,227 | 1,334 | +8.7% |
| Median household income | $51,348 | $51,327 | -0.0% |
| Median home value | $78,000 | $86,500 | +10.9% |
How Pennsboro 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+)
Pennsboro Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Ritchie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisville | 1,574 | $47,768 | 25.1% | $123,000 |
| Pullman | 286 | $53,618 | 10.1% | $78,600 |
| Cairo | 273 | $65,500 | 17.2% | N/A |
| Ellenboro | 209 | $52,917 | 9.7% | $118,200 |
| Auburn | 91 | N/A | 76.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Pennsboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesage | 1,329 | N/A | $221,900 | 21.7% | 34.7% |
| Mabscott | 1,396 | $57,813 | $159,700 | 29.7% | 16.7% |
| Fort Ashby | 1,283 | $44,538 | $225,300 | 21.1% | 16.6% |
| Sistersville | 1,409 | $45,500 | $95,300 | 16.6% | 40.8% |
| Mount Gay-Shamrock | 1,166 | $51,740 | $84,100 | 16.6% | 27.6% |
Population Overview
Pennsboro is a small community located in West Virginia, within Ritchie County. The total population is 1,334. It ranks as the 120th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pennsboro is 32.9 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pennsboro is $51,327. This is 14% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.2%. This is 33% 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 1.8%. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $86,500. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Pennsboro is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Pennsboro has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.8% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.7%.
Education
10.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 72.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pennsboro, 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 Pennsboro, West Virginia?
Pennsboro, West Virginia has a population of 1,334 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pennsboro, WV?
The median household income in Pennsboro is $51,327, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pennsboro, WV?
The poverty rate in Pennsboro is 22.2%. This means approximately 289 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pennsboro, West Virginia?
Pennsboro's population is 97.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pennsboro, WV?
The median home value in Pennsboro is $86,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Pennsboro, West Virginia?
10.5% of adults (25+) in Pennsboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.