Pocahontas County, West Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Pocahontas County is located in West Virginia with a total population of 7,855. It is the 48th most populous county out of 55 in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Pocahontas County is 49.8 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. 11.3% 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 Pocahontas County is $41,200. This is 29% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 48% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 25% 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 10.6%. This is 85% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $139,400. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $155,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 83.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Pocahontas County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.9%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.0%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.

Education

15.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 83.8%.