Ridgeley, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ridgeley, West Virginia had a total population of 239, the 320th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $41,477, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.8% is notably above the national average.
Ridgeley Quick Facts
How Ridgeley 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 | 304 | 239 | -21.4% |
| Median household income | $51,667 | $41,477 | -19.7% |
| Median home value | $138,100 | $151,800 | +9.9% |
How Ridgeley 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+)
Ridgeley Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Mineral County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keyser | 4,857 | $46,955 | 31.8% | $143,000 |
| Fort Ashby | 1,283 | $44,538 | 16.6% | $225,300 |
| Carpendale | 1,035 | $66,027 | 10.8% | $171,300 |
| Piedmont | 735 | $42,375 | 23.9% | $46,700 |
| Wiley Ford | 630 | $90,775 | 10.6% | $189,000 |
| Elk Garden | 212 | $61,250 | 3.3% | $91,000 |
| Burlington | 94 | N/A | 0.0% | $285,200 |
Cities Similar to Ridgeley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kimball | 231 | N/A | $30,200 | 0.0% | 60.2% |
| Oakvale | 254 | N/A | N/A | 24.0% | 10.3% |
| Amherstdale | 256 | N/A | N/A | 8.0% | 0.0% |
| Boomer | 250 | $38,209 | N/A | 10.4% | 28.0% |
| Neibert | 219 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 10.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 239, Ridgeley'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
Ridgeley is a small community located in West Virginia, within Mineral County. The total population is 239. It ranks as the 320th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ridgeley is 41.7 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. 27.6% 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 Ridgeley is $41,477. This is 30% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.2%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 10.8%. This is 99% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $151,800. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 69.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ridgeley has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.4%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
17.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 86.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ridgeley, 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 Ridgeley, West Virginia?
Ridgeley, West Virginia has a population of 239 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ridgeley, WV?
The median household income in Ridgeley is $41,477, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ridgeley, WV?
The poverty rate in Ridgeley is 14.2%. This means approximately 34 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ridgeley, West Virginia?
Ridgeley's population is 95.8% White, 0.4% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ridgeley, WV?
The median home value in Ridgeley is $151,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Ridgeley, West Virginia?
17.9% of adults (25+) in Ridgeley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.