Tornado, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tornado, West Virginia had a total population of 1,114, the 138th largest community in West Virginia, with a median household income of $83,000, which is 39% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in West Virginia.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.4%.
Tornado Quick Facts
How Tornado 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 | 1,101 | 1,114 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $81,875 | $83,000 | +1.4% |
| Median home value | $156,500 | $174,800 | +11.7% |
How Tornado 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+)
Tornado Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Kanawha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 47,421 | $65,812 | 15.8% | $203,300 |
| South Charleston | 13,457 | $63,884 | 16.9% | $155,400 |
| St. Albans | 10,522 | $53,972 | 14.1% | $140,800 |
| Cross Lanes | 9,671 | $63,537 | 5.1% | $153,800 |
| Dunbar | 7,254 | $58,379 | 14.9% | $119,600 |
| Nitro | 6,853 | $53,848 | 20.2% | $128,900 |
| Pinch | 4,037 | $76,741 | 5.1% | $221,500 |
| Sissonville | 3,593 | $66,944 | 23.4% | $180,800 |
| Alum Creek | 1,749 | $74,231 | 11.0% | $159,300 |
| Chesapeake | 1,702 | $60,927 | 21.5% | $84,500 |
Cities Similar to Tornado
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert Creek | 1,061 | $82,632 | $119,400 | 17.2% | 11.7% |
| Cassville | 1,149 | $90,478 | $253,000 | 41.9% | 15.1% |
| Bolivar | 1,215 | $83,068 | $251,600 | 35.9% | 10.5% |
| Shenandoah Junction | 1,141 | $94,821 | $192,900 | 8.6% | 8.2% |
| Brush Fork | 1,096 | $70,098 | $90,000 | 18.6% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Tornado is a small community located in West Virginia, within Kanawha County. The total population is 1,114. It ranks as the 138th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tornado is 34.1 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. With 30.1% of the population under 18, Tornado has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tornado is $83,000. This is 39% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 3% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 47% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 0.4%. This is 92% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $174,800. Housing costs are 8% higher than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Tornado is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 92.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Tornado has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.1% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.4% vs 0.8%).
Education
30.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 88.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tornado, 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 Tornado, West Virginia?
Tornado, West Virginia has a population of 1,114 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tornado, WV?
The median household income in Tornado is $83,000, which is 3% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tornado, WV?
The poverty rate in Tornado is 8.8%. This means approximately 95 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tornado, West Virginia?
Tornado's population is 88.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tornado, WV?
The median home value in Tornado is $174,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Tornado, West Virginia?
30.4% of adults (25+) in Tornado hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.