Sophia, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sophia, West Virginia had a total population of 1,528, the 94th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $36,080, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (38.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.4% is notably above the national average.
Sophia Quick Facts
How Sophia 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 | 1,654 | 1,528 | -7.6% |
| Median household income | $34,498 | $36,080 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $112,900 | $116,900 | +3.5% |
How Sophia 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+)
Sophia Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Raleigh County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley | 16,818 | $45,826 | 28.9% | $158,000 |
| Shady Spring | 3,381 | $67,407 | 13.8% | $188,900 |
| MacArthur | 1,493 | $35,650 | 36.4% | $160,800 |
| Daniels | 1,489 | $60,278 | 24.2% | $171,300 |
| Stanaford | 1,449 | $44,219 | 44.5% | $162,800 |
| Bradley | 1,424 | $43,641 | 11.8% | $84,700 |
| Mabscott | 1,396 | $57,813 | 16.7% | $159,700 |
| Prosperity | 1,389 | $85,094 | 11.4% | $141,200 |
| Crab Orchard | 1,139 | $43,792 | 16.6% | $168,200 |
| Piney View | 986 | $66,422 | 1.5% | $98,800 |
Cities Similar to Sophia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacArthur | 1,493 | $35,650 | $160,800 | 4.8% | 36.4% |
| Mount Hope | 1,504 | $34,375 | $101,000 | 12.2% | 32.3% |
| Rainelle | 1,458 | $35,625 | $80,800 | 12.6% | 29.8% |
| Salem | 1,629 | $38,529 | $77,800 | 13.9% | 16.8% |
| Parsons | 1,448 | $40,547 | $96,300 | 10.7% | 23.6% |
Population Overview
Sophia is a small community located in West Virginia, within Raleigh County. The total population is 1,528. It ranks as the 94th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sophia is 45.4 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 14.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.3% 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 Sophia is $36,080. This is 39% 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 38.0%. This is 128% 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 12.4%. This is 128% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $116,900. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 58.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sophia has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 8.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.7% vs 3.1%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.
Education
6.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 71.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sophia, 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 Sophia, West Virginia?
Sophia, West Virginia has a population of 1,528 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sophia, WV?
The median household income in Sophia is $36,080, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sophia, WV?
The poverty rate in Sophia is 38.0%. This means approximately 578 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sophia, West Virginia?
Sophia's population is 91.0% White, 8.7% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sophia, WV?
The median home value in Sophia is $116,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Sophia, West Virginia?
6.6% of adults (25+) in Sophia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.