Shepherdstown, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shepherdstown, West Virginia had a total population of 1,460, the 106th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $63,750, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 71.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in West Virginia.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.6x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 11.9% is notably above the national average.
Shepherdstown Quick Facts
How Shepherdstown 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 | 1,399 | 1,460 | +4.4% |
| Median household income | $62,500 | $63,750 | +2.0% |
| Median home value | $474,500 | $485,200 | +2.3% |
How Shepherdstown 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+)
Shepherdstown Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Town | 7,337 | $89,263 | 6.5% | $377,700 |
| Ranson | 5,729 | $89,523 | 12.0% | $242,700 |
| Shannondale | 3,465 | $80,000 | 13.3% | $293,600 |
| Bolivar | 1,215 | $83,068 | 10.5% | $251,600 |
| Shenandoah Junction | 1,141 | $94,821 | 8.2% | $192,900 |
| Middleway | 479 | $123,917 | 4.8% | $298,800 |
| Harpers Ferry | 350 | $116,587 | 2.3% | $529,100 |
Cities Similar to Shepherdstown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniels | 1,489 | $60,278 | $171,300 | 29.4% | 24.2% |
| Coal Fork | 1,423 | $70,212 | $101,000 | 17.3% | 2.3% |
| Lubeck | 1,495 | $71,171 | $236,700 | 25.0% | 5.1% |
| Athens | 1,494 | $56,667 | $168,100 | 47.8% | 19.4% |
| New Haven | 1,493 | $55,938 | $106,500 | 14.9% | 19.6% |
Population Overview
Shepherdstown is a small community located in West Virginia, within Jefferson County. The total population is 1,460. It ranks as the 106th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shepherdstown is 21.8 years. This is 49% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 6.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shepherdstown is $63,750. This is 7% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.2%. This is 63% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 11.9%. This is 120% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $485,200. Housing costs are 198% higher than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 73.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shepherdstown is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (12.4% vs 3.1%).
Education
71.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Shepherdstown in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 195% higher 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 98.3%. Notably, 35.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shepherdstown, 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 Shepherdstown, West Virginia?
Shepherdstown, West Virginia has a population of 1,460 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shepherdstown, WV?
The median household income in Shepherdstown is $63,750, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shepherdstown, WV?
The poverty rate in Shepherdstown is 6.2%. This means approximately 37 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shepherdstown, West Virginia?
Shepherdstown's population is 82.6% White, 12.4% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shepherdstown, WV?
The median home value in Shepherdstown is $485,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.6x.
How educated is Shepherdstown, West Virginia?
71.2% of adults (25+) in Shepherdstown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 35.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.