Princeton city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Princeton city, West Virginia has a total population of 5,780, the 28th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $44,428, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Princeton city Quick Facts
How Princeton 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+)
Princeton city Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Princeton city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckhannon city | 5,144 | $48,720 | $152,000 | 21.5% | 24.6% |
| New Martinsville city | 5,175 | $51,226 | $112,600 | 16.9% | 18.8% |
| Elkins city | 6,875 | $47,746 | $130,500 | 30.4% | 16.8% |
| Keyser city | 4,870 | $47,991 | $141,400 | 21.1% | 27.3% |
| Nitro city | 6,941 | $52,247 | $120,400 | 15.2% | 21.6% |
Population Overview
Princeton city is a small city located in West Virginia. The total population is 5,780. It ranks as the 28th most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Princeton city is 43.4 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Princeton city is $44,428. This is 23% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 43% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 29% 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 5.1%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $115,800. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Princeton city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Princeton city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.0%.
Education
19.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Princeton 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Princeton city, West Virginia?
Princeton city, West Virginia has a population of 5,780 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Princeton city, WV?
The median household income in Princeton city is $44,428, which is 43% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Princeton city, WV?
The poverty rate in Princeton city is 21.4%. This means approximately 1,232 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Princeton city, West Virginia?
Princeton city's population is 87.1% White, 4.1% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Princeton city, WV?
The median home value in Princeton city is $115,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Princeton city, West Virginia?
19.3% of adults (25+) in Princeton city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.