Wellsburg, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wellsburg, West Virginia had a total population of 2,203, the 71st largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $42,868, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.3% is notably above the national average.
Wellsburg Quick Facts
How Wellsburg 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 | 2,364 | 2,203 | -6.8% |
| Median household income | $40,948 | $42,868 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $97,200 | $104,500 | +7.5% |
How Wellsburg 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+)
Wellsburg Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Brooke County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Follansbee | 2,757 | $58,371 | 8.1% | $133,900 |
| Hooverson Heights | 2,090 | $60,781 | 13.8% | $154,600 |
| Bethany | 1,039 | $60,313 | 8.1% | $110,600 |
| Windsor Heights | 491 | $42,270 | 27.7% | $58,600 |
| Beech Bottom | 443 | $33,125 | 24.0% | $60,300 |
| Colliers | 117 | N/A | 18.8% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wellsburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craigsville | 2,190 | $39,943 | $83,500 | 26.4% | 6.1% |
| Petersburg | 2,384 | $42,917 | $124,500 | 14.4% | 19.5% |
| Spencer | 2,291 | $37,639 | $116,800 | 16.7% | 33.5% |
| Hinton | 2,086 | $37,610 | $92,900 | 21.8% | 35.0% |
| Stonewood | 2,212 | $54,792 | $154,200 | 25.9% | 8.1% |
Population Overview
Wellsburg is a small community located in West Virginia, within Brooke County. The total population is 2,203. It ranks as the 71st most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wellsburg is 55.6 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 12.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.5% 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 Wellsburg is $42,868. This is 28% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.3%. This is 22% 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 13.3%. This is 145% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $104,500. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Wellsburg is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wellsburg has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.3%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
17.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 92.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wellsburg, 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.
Free data download: Get all West Virginia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wellsburg, West Virginia?
Wellsburg, West Virginia has a population of 2,203 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wellsburg, WV?
The median household income in Wellsburg is $42,868, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wellsburg, WV?
The poverty rate in Wellsburg is 20.3%. This means approximately 448 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wellsburg, West Virginia?
Wellsburg's population is 94.1% White, 0.5% Black, 2.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wellsburg, WV?
The median home value in Wellsburg is $104,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Wellsburg, West Virginia?
17.3% of adults (25+) in Wellsburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.