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Richwood city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 33.5% is well above the state average
Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 2.0x is exceptionally low

As of 2026, Richwood city, West Virginia has a total population of 2,617, the 62nd largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $33,614, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.5%.

Key Takeaways

Richwood city Quick Facts

Population 2,617
Median Household Income $33,614
Median Home Value $67,600
Poverty Rate 33.5%
Unemployment Rate 27.1%
Median Age 45.5 years
Homeownership Rate 78.8%
Affordability Ratio 2.0x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 12.0%
High School Graduation Rate 87.0%
Diversity Index 5/100
Population 2,617 62nd of 430
Median Income $33,614 bottom 20%
Poverty Rate 33.5% 169% higher national
Median Home Value $67,600 bottom 20%

How Richwood city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

27.1% Unemployment Rate State: 5.7% | National: 5.2%
37.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 78.8%
Renter 21.2%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.0x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

5out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 18 | National average: 60

Education

Richwood city Rankings in West Virginia

#62 Population of 430
#287 Median Income of 430
#251 Education of 430
#305 Home Value of 430

Cities Similar to Richwood city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
White Sulphur Springs city2,646$43,388$119,60024.1%24.1%
Bluewell CDP2,281$35,599$137,80013.8%17.3%
Ripley city3,066$35,120$119,30020.3%28.3%
Wellsburg city2,364$40,948$97,20017.1%17.3%
Hinton city2,413$42,852$92,40020.3%28.8%

Population Overview

Richwood city is a small community located in West Virginia. The total population is 2,617. It ranks as the 62nd most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Richwood city is 45.5 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. 10.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Richwood city is $33,614. This is 42% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 57% lower. The poverty rate stands at 33.5%. This is 101% 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 27.1%. This is 373% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $67,600. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Richwood city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Richwood city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.3% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.5%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.5% vs 0.8%).

Education

12.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 87.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Richwood 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 Richwood city, West Virginia?

Richwood city, West Virginia has a population of 2,617 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Richwood city, WV?

The median household income in Richwood city is $33,614, which is 57% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Richwood city, WV?

The poverty rate in Richwood city is 33.5%. This means approximately 858 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Richwood city, West Virginia?

Richwood city's population is 97.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.

What is the median home value in Richwood city, WV?

The median home value in Richwood city is $67,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.

How educated is Richwood city, West Virginia?

12.0% of adults (25+) in Richwood city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.