Preston County, West Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Preston County is located in West Virginia with a total population of 34,204. It is the 15th most populous county out of 55 in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Preston County is 43.2 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Preston County is $61,373. This is 6% higher than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 22% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.1%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $157,700. Housing costs are 1% higher than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Preston County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Preston County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.5% vs 3.2%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 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 85.8%.