Petersburg city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Petersburg city, West Virginia has a total population of 3,172, the 47th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $48,286, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Petersburg city Quick Facts
How Petersburg 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+)
Petersburg city Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Petersburg city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moorefield town | 2,952 | $47,308 | $121,400 | 7.5% | 13.4% |
| Summersville city | 3,397 | $52,321 | $210,400 | 30.3% | 21.1% |
| Kenova city | 2,977 | $53,438 | $98,700 | 13.7% | 10.4% |
| Philippi city | 2,919 | $43,203 | $110,900 | 17.9% | 29.5% |
| Follansbee city | 2,790 | $52,974 | $137,100 | 19.5% | 5.8% |
Population Overview
Petersburg city is a small community located in West Virginia. The total population is 3,172. It ranks as the 47th most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Petersburg city is 39.8 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Petersburg city is $48,286. This is 17% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 2% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $136,100. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Petersburg city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Petersburg city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
23.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% higher 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 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Petersburg 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.
Free data download: Get all West Virginia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Petersburg city, West Virginia?
Petersburg city, West Virginia has a population of 3,172 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Petersburg city, WV?
The median household income in Petersburg city is $48,286, which is 39% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Petersburg city, WV?
The poverty rate in Petersburg city is 16.3%. This means approximately 499 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Petersburg city, West Virginia?
Petersburg city's population is 93.8% White, 0.6% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Petersburg city, WV?
The median home value in Petersburg city is $136,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Petersburg city, West Virginia?
23.7% of adults (25+) in Petersburg city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.