Sand Fork, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sand Fork, West Virginia had a total population of 96, the 387th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $35,938, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Sand Fork Quick Facts
How Sand Fork 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 | 93 | 96 | +3.2% |
| Median household income | $52,500 | $35,938 | -31.5% |
| Median home value | $119,200 | $116,200 | -2.5% |
How Sand Fork 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+)
Sand Fork Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Gilmer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenville | 1,037 | $47,422 | 23.7% | $108,400 |
Cities Similar to Sand Fork
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twilight | 97 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 47.4% |
| Burlington | 94 | N/A | $285,200 | 57.6% | 0.0% |
| Huntersville | 95 | $39,044 | $120,800 | 29.2% | 6.3% |
| Auburn | 91 | N/A | N/A | 17.4% | 76.9% |
| Covel | 90 | N/A | N/A | 48.1% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 96, Sand Fork'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
Sand Fork is a small community located in West Virginia, within Gilmer County. The total population is 96. It ranks as the 387th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sand Fork is 38.0 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sand Fork is $35,938. This is 40% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.2%. This is 75% 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 Sand Fork, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $116,200. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 65.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sand Fork has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 8.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.3% vs 3.1%).
Education
14.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 81.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sand Fork, 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 Sand Fork, West Virginia?
Sand Fork, West Virginia has a population of 96 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sand Fork, WV?
The median household income in Sand Fork is $35,938, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sand Fork, WV?
The poverty rate in Sand Fork is 29.2%. This means approximately 28 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sand Fork, West Virginia?
Sand Fork's population is 87.5% White, 8.3% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sand Fork, WV?
The median home value in Sand Fork is $116,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Sand Fork, West Virginia?
14.5% of adults (25+) in Sand Fork hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.