Scarbro, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Scarbro, West Virginia had a total population of 176, the 355th largest community in West Virginia. The poverty rate is 30.7%.
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 (30.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 34.6% is notably above the national average.
Scarbro Quick Facts
How Scarbro 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 | 178 | 176 | -1.1% |
How Scarbro 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+)
Scarbro Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Fayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Hill | 7,937 | $52,466 | 21.7% | $118,700 |
| Fayetteville | 2,817 | $67,623 | 10.3% | $184,000 |
| Mount Hope | 1,504 | $34,375 | 32.3% | $101,000 |
| Ansted | 1,140 | $38,375 | 27.2% | $68,700 |
| Gatewood | 605 | $76,351 | 0.7% | $109,600 |
| Meadow Bridge | 504 | $43,750 | 15.7% | N/A |
| Powellton | 479 | N/A | 16.5% | $70,900 |
| Gauley Bridge | 413 | $25,625 | 40.9% | $66,500 |
| Hilltop | 397 | $30,884 | 18.1% | $56,300 |
| Falls View | 372 | N/A | 51.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Scarbro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson | 174 | $34,479 | $96,700 | 11.2% | 36.8% |
| Earling | 180 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Jacksonburg | 181 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 8.3% |
| Camden-on-Gauley | 182 | $55,917 | $93,500 | 14.5% | 27.8% |
| Falling Spring | 182 | N/A | $153,100 | 14.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 176, Scarbro'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
Scarbro is a small community located in West Virginia, within Fayette County. The total population is 176. It ranks as the 355th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Scarbro is 33.9 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. With 30.1% of the population under 18, Scarbro has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 30.7%. This is 84% 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 34.6%. This is 539% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. 92.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Scarbro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 30.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (30.7% vs 3.1%).
Education
7.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 97.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Scarbro, 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 Scarbro, West Virginia?
Scarbro, West Virginia has a population of 176 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Scarbro, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Scarbro — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Scarbro, WV?
The poverty rate in Scarbro is 30.7%. This means approximately 54 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Scarbro, West Virginia?
Scarbro's population is 69.3% White, 30.7% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Scarbro, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Scarbro — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Scarbro, West Virginia?
7.3% of adults (25+) in Scarbro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.