Red Jacket, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Red Jacket, West Virginia had a total population of 482, the 236th largest community in West Virginia. The poverty rate is 74.1%.
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 (74.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 43.0% is notably above the national average.
Red Jacket Quick Facts
How Red Jacket 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 | 539 | 482 | -10.6% |
| Median home value | $209,600 | $207,600 | -1.0% |
How Red Jacket 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Red Jacket Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Mingo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williamson | 2,919 | $21,875 | 49.1% | $89,600 |
| Gilbert Creek | 1,061 | $82,632 | 11.7% | $119,400 |
| Matewan | 505 | $16,105 | 41.4% | $112,100 |
| Chattaroy | 467 | N/A | 65.7% | N/A |
| Delbarton | 333 | $40,750 | 30.9% | $85,000 |
| Gilbert | 308 | $55,000 | 21.8% | $89,200 |
| Justice | 186 | $44,234 | 19.9% | $153,300 |
| Kermit | 153 | $35,750 | 32.0% | $112,500 |
Cities Similar to Red Jacket
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montcalm | 484 | $63,024 | N/A | 19.2% | 16.5% |
| Jane Lew | 480 | $56,063 | $78,400 | 11.4% | 5.7% |
| Cowen | 485 | $27,708 | $52,100 | 7.8% | 35.9% |
| Middleway | 479 | $123,917 | $298,800 | 68.7% | 4.8% |
| Powellton | 479 | N/A | $70,900 | 0.0% | 16.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 482, Red Jacket'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
Red Jacket is a small community located in West Virginia, within Mingo County. The total population is 482. It ranks as the 236th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Red Jacket is 55.4 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 74.1%. This is 343% 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 unemployment rate is 43.0%. This is 694% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $207,600. Housing costs are 28% higher than the state median of $162,600. 79.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Red Jacket is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (27.4% vs 3.1%).
Education
5.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% 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 80.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Red Jacket, 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 Red Jacket, West Virginia?
Red Jacket, West Virginia has a population of 482 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Red Jacket, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Red Jacket — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Red Jacket, WV?
The poverty rate in Red Jacket is 74.1%. This means approximately 357 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Red Jacket, West Virginia?
Red Jacket's population is 69.3% White, 27.4% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Red Jacket, WV?
The median home value in Red Jacket is $207,600.
How educated is Red Jacket, West Virginia?
5.3% of adults (25+) in Red Jacket hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.