Romney, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Romney, West Virginia had a total population of 1,922, the 82nd largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $49,286, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.9%.
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 (25.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.3% is notably above the national average.
Romney Quick Facts
How Romney 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 | 1,714 | 1,922 | +12.1% |
| Median household income | $39,118 | $49,286 | +26.0% |
| Median home value | $150,000 | $184,400 | +22.9% |
How Romney 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+)
Romney Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Hampshire County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 502 | $62,014 | 5.0% | N/A |
| Capon Bridge | 497 | $64,306 | 23.8% | $251,600 |
| Green Spring | 84 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Romney
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Alta | 1,841 | $50,536 | $95,200 | 8.8% | 29.1% |
| Belington | 1,781 | $48,508 | $104,400 | 11.6% | 25.2% |
| Mannington | 1,829 | $54,286 | $106,000 | 18.6% | 10.4% |
| Star City | 1,960 | $59,123 | $256,200 | 48.5% | 17.8% |
| McMechen | 1,826 | $40,446 | $96,900 | 12.7% | 27.5% |
Population Overview
Romney is a small community located in West Virginia, within Hampshire County. The total population is 1,922. It ranks as the 82nd most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Romney is 50.2 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. 11.0% 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 Romney is $49,286. This is 17% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.9%. This is 55% 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 10.3%. This is 90% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $184,400. Housing costs are 13% higher than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 48.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Romney has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
14.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 84.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Romney, 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 Romney, West Virginia?
Romney, West Virginia has a population of 1,922 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Romney, WV?
The median household income in Romney is $49,286, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Romney, WV?
The poverty rate in Romney is 25.9%. This means approximately 470 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Romney, West Virginia?
Romney's population is 88.7% White, 2.6% Black, 0.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Romney, WV?
The median home value in Romney is $184,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Romney, West Virginia?
14.9% of adults (25+) in Romney hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.