Raleigh County, West Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Raleigh County is located in West Virginia with a total population of 73,666. It is the 6th most populous county out of 55 in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Raleigh County is 42.8 years. This is about average than the state median of 42.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Raleigh County is $52,055. This is 10% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.6%. This is 30% 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 5.5%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $142,600. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Raleigh County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

Raleigh County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.7% vs 3.2%).

Education

21.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% 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 85.5%.