Petersburg, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Petersburg, West Virginia had a total population of 2,384, the 67th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $42,917, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Petersburg Quick Facts
How Petersburg 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 | 3,172 | 2,384 | -24.8% |
| Median household income | $48,286 | $42,917 | -11.1% |
| Median home value | $136,100 | $124,500 | -8.5% |
How Petersburg 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+)
Petersburg Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Grant County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayard | 299 | $33,462 | 32.4% | $73,200 |
Cities Similar to Petersburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellsburg | 2,203 | $42,868 | $104,500 | 17.3% | 20.3% |
| White Sulphur Springs | 2,549 | $46,178 | $117,000 | 20.7% | 23.2% |
| Spencer | 2,291 | $37,639 | $116,800 | 16.7% | 33.5% |
| Craigsville | 2,190 | $39,943 | $83,500 | 26.4% | 6.1% |
| Moorefield | 2,525 | $49,063 | $125,000 | 4.8% | 8.1% |
Population Overview
Petersburg is a small community located in West Virginia, within Grant County. The total population is 2,384. It ranks as the 67th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Petersburg is 44.0 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. 13.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Petersburg is $42,917. This is 28% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.5%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $124,500. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Petersburg is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Petersburg has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.1%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, West Virginia?
Petersburg, West Virginia has a population of 2,384 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Petersburg, WV?
The median household income in Petersburg is $42,917, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Petersburg, WV?
The poverty rate in Petersburg is 19.5%. This means approximately 445 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Petersburg, West Virginia?
Petersburg's population is 90.8% White, 1.2% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Petersburg, WV?
The median home value in Petersburg is $124,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Petersburg, West Virginia?
14.4% of adults (25+) in Petersburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.