Welch city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Welch city, West Virginia has a total population of 3,492, the 42nd largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $36,188, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Welch city Quick Facts
How Welch city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 18 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Welch city Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Welch city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ripley city | 3,066 | $35,120 | $119,300 | 20.3% | 28.3% |
| Point Pleasant city | 4,009 | $40,837 | $113,900 | 22.6% | 25.8% |
| Ravenswood city | 3,846 | $45,392 | $99,600 | 20.0% | 29.6% |
| Summersville city | 3,397 | $52,321 | $210,400 | 30.3% | 21.1% |
| Petersburg city | 3,172 | $48,286 | $136,100 | 23.7% | 16.3% |
Population Overview
Welch city is a small community located in West Virginia. The total population is 3,492. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Welch city is 39.8 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 8.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Welch city is $36,188. This is 38% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 54% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.8%. This is 61% 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 5.9%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $56,500. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Welch city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Welch city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 24.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (24.2% vs 3.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.0% vs 2.0%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.
Education
6.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% lower 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 74.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Welch 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Welch city, West Virginia?
Welch city, West Virginia has a population of 3,492 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Welch city, WV?
The median household income in Welch city is $36,188, which is 54% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Welch city, WV?
The poverty rate in Welch city is 26.8%. This means approximately 405 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Welch city, West Virginia?
Welch city's population is 66.3% White, 24.2% Black, 9.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Welch city, WV?
The median home value in Welch city is $56,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Welch city, West Virginia?
6.3% of adults (25+) in Welch city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.