Terra Alta, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Terra Alta, West Virginia had a total population of 1,841, the 83rd largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $50,536, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.1%.
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 (29.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.5% is notably above the national average.
Terra Alta Quick Facts
How Terra Alta 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 | 1,992 | 1,841 | -7.6% |
| Median household income | $50,035 | $50,536 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $95,900 | $95,200 | -0.7% |
How Terra Alta 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+)
Terra Alta Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Preston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingwood | 2,973 | $71,154 | 16.2% | $162,000 |
| Arthurdale | 982 | $81,285 | 7.2% | $153,900 |
| Rowlesburg | 773 | $61,964 | 19.0% | $99,800 |
| Masontown | 518 | $54,643 | 9.3% | $120,500 |
| Reedsville | 504 | $66,125 | 3.7% | $182,400 |
| Tunnelton | 404 | $65,565 | 7.9% | N/A |
| Aurora | 284 | $55,444 | 22.9% | N/A |
| Albright | 254 | $60,000 | 22.4% | $39,000 |
| Newburg | 226 | $51,821 | 11.1% | $46,100 |
| Brandonville | 166 | $76,250 | 10.8% | $181,300 |
Cities Similar to Terra Alta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mannington | 1,829 | $54,286 | $106,000 | 18.6% | 10.4% |
| Belington | 1,781 | $48,508 | $104,400 | 11.6% | 25.2% |
| Romney | 1,922 | $49,286 | $184,400 | 14.9% | 25.9% |
| McMechen | 1,826 | $40,446 | $96,900 | 12.7% | 27.5% |
| Star City | 1,960 | $59,123 | $256,200 | 48.5% | 17.8% |
Population Overview
Terra Alta is a small community located in West Virginia, within Preston County. The total population is 1,841. It ranks as the 83rd most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Terra Alta is 29.9 years. This is 30% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, Terra Alta has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Terra Alta is $50,536. This is 15% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.1%. This is 74% 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 9.5%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $95,200. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Terra Alta is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Terra Alta is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
8.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 77.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Terra Alta, 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 Terra Alta, West Virginia?
Terra Alta, West Virginia has a population of 1,841 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Terra Alta, WV?
The median household income in Terra Alta is $50,536, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Terra Alta, WV?
The poverty rate in Terra Alta is 29.1%. This means approximately 531 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Terra Alta, West Virginia?
Terra Alta's population is 84.1% White, 1.1% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Terra Alta, WV?
The median home value in Terra Alta is $95,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Terra Alta, West Virginia?
8.8% of adults (25+) in Terra Alta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.