Philippi city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Philippi city is a small community located in West Virginia. The total population is 2,919. It ranks as the 55th most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Philippi city is 36.3 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. 12.7% 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 Philippi city is $43,203. This is 25% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% lower. The poverty rate stands at 29.5%. This is 78% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. 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 10.2%. This is 77% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $110,900. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Philippi city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Philippi city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 8.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.6% vs 3.2%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.1% vs 0.8%).

Education

17.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% lower 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 87.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Philippi 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.