Smithers city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Smithers city is a small community located in West Virginia. The total population is 891. It ranks as the 163rd most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Smithers city is 52.5 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 14.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.8% 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 Smithers city is $32,237. This is 44% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 59% lower. The poverty rate stands at 35.9%. This is 116% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. 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 5.6%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $72,800. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Smithers city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Smithers city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (5.7% vs 3.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.8% vs 2.0%).

Education

23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 23.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Smithers city, West Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 430 Census-designated places in West Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.