Sylvester, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sylvester, West Virginia had a total population of 131, the 369th largest town in West Virginia. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sylvester Quick Facts
How Sylvester 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 | 192 | 131 | -31.8% |
| Median home value | $79,000 | $78,100 | -1.1% |
How Sylvester 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+)
Sylvester Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Boone County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 2,788 | $58,872 | 12.9% | $147,900 |
| Danville | 549 | $23,571 | 25.7% | $91,900 |
| Racine | 331 | N/A | 11.5% | $114,900 |
| Whitesville | 266 | $47,917 | 15.4% | $96,700 |
| Greenview | 254 | $59,042 | 46.5% | N/A |
| Comfort | 220 | $97,222 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Van | 214 | $75,000 | 12.6% | $52,900 |
| Twilight | 97 | N/A | 47.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Sylvester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booth | 129 | $62,813 | $217,500 | 33.7% | 0.0% |
| Hepzibah | 134 | N/A | N/A | 47.8% | 11.9% |
| Bramwell | 135 | $53,929 | $93,000 | 19.1% | 23.7% |
| Berwind | 127 | N/A | $21,900 | 0.0% | 56.7% |
| Rhodell | 137 | N/A | N/A | 15.3% | 44.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 131, Sylvester'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
Sylvester is a small community located in West Virginia, within Boone County. The total population is 131. It ranks as the 369th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sylvester is 56.4 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 12.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 20.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $78,100. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $162,600. 93.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sylvester has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.7% of all residents.
Education
21.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% 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 87.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sylvester, 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 Sylvester, West Virginia?
Sylvester, West Virginia has a population of 131 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sylvester, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Sylvester — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sylvester, WV?
The poverty rate in Sylvester is 19.1%. This means approximately 25 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sylvester, West Virginia?
Sylvester's population is 94.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sylvester, WV?
The median home value in Sylvester is $78,100.
How educated is Sylvester, West Virginia?
21.7% of adults (25+) in Sylvester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.