Princeton, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Princeton, West Virginia had a total population of 5,736, the 28th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $43,900, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.9%.
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 1.6%.
Princeton Quick Facts
How Princeton 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 | 5,780 | 5,736 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $44,428 | $43,900 | -1.2% |
| Median home value | $115,800 | $120,300 | +3.9% |
How Princeton 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+)
Princeton Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Mercer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluefield | 9,387 | $49,375 | 18.5% | $105,400 |
| Bluewell | 1,992 | $35,168 | 18.3% | $125,500 |
| Athens | 1,494 | $56,667 | 19.4% | $168,100 |
| Brush Fork | 1,096 | $70,098 | 9.2% | $90,000 |
| Lashmeet | 655 | N/A | 13.0% | $187,500 |
| Montcalm | 484 | $63,024 | 16.5% | N/A |
| Oakvale | 254 | N/A | 10.3% | N/A |
| Bramwell | 135 | $53,929 | 23.7% | $93,000 |
| Matoaka | 30 | $16,786 | 93.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Princeton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkins | 6,811 | $44,217 | $152,700 | 31.1% | 17.3% |
| Keyser | 4,857 | $46,955 | $143,000 | 18.0% | 31.8% |
| Buckhannon | 5,116 | $54,615 | $158,100 | 24.4% | 21.7% |
| Grafton | 4,618 | $40,402 | $74,600 | 11.2% | 24.9% |
| New Martinsville | 5,133 | $60,946 | $128,300 | 23.8% | 15.5% |
Population Overview
Princeton is a small city located in West Virginia, within Mercer County. The total population is 5,736. It ranks as the 28th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Princeton is 44.2 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Princeton is $43,900. This is 26% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 1% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $120,300. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Princeton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Princeton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.1%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.
Education
21.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Princeton, 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.
Free data download: Get all West Virginia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Princeton, West Virginia?
Princeton, West Virginia has a population of 5,736 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Princeton, WV?
The median household income in Princeton is $43,900, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Princeton, WV?
The poverty rate in Princeton is 16.9%. This means approximately 969 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Princeton, West Virginia?
Princeton's population is 88.1% White, 2.6% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Princeton, WV?
The median home value in Princeton is $120,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Princeton, West Virginia?
21.0% of adults (25+) in Princeton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.