Raysal, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Raysal, West Virginia had a total population of 162, the 360th largest community in West Virginia. The poverty rate is 35.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Raysal Quick Facts
How Raysal 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 | 299 | 162 | -45.8% |
| Median home value | $66,200 | $94,400 | +42.6% |
How Raysal 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+)
Raysal Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in McDowell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welch | 3,507 | $32,969 | 28.2% | $57,300 |
| Gary | 861 | $41,603 | 12.8% | $50,900 |
| War | 628 | $29,500 | 35.2% | $32,600 |
| Crumpler | 351 | N/A | 57.3% | $94,100 |
| Bartley | 327 | N/A | 94.2% | N/A |
| Bradshaw | 327 | $22,116 | 14.7% | $54,600 |
| Iaeger | 253 | $36,591 | 17.8% | $57,500 |
| Kimball | 231 | N/A | 60.2% | $30,200 |
| Davy | 186 | $32,500 | 0.0% | $30,800 |
| Northfork | 169 | $50,208 | 20.3% | $33,700 |
Cities Similar to Raysal
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cunard | 165 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Brandonville | 166 | $76,250 | $181,300 | 40.5% | 10.8% |
| Northfork | 169 | $50,208 | $33,700 | 13.9% | 20.3% |
| Baxter | 153 | $6,875 | $93,700 | 0.0% | 91.5% |
| Kermit | 153 | $35,750 | $112,500 | 22.9% | 32.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 162, Raysal's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Raysal is a small community located in West Virginia, within McDowell County. The total population is 162. It ranks as the 360th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Raysal is 20.6 years. This is 52% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 35.2%. This is 111% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Raysal, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $94,400. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $162,600. 90.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Raysal has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.5% of all residents.
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Raysal, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Raysal, West Virginia?
Raysal, West Virginia has a population of 162 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Raysal, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Raysal — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Raysal, WV?
The poverty rate in Raysal is 35.2%. This means approximately 57 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Raysal, West Virginia?
Raysal's population is 97.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Raysal, WV?
The median home value in Raysal is $94,400.
How educated is Raysal, West Virginia?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Raysal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.