Wheeling, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wheeling, West Virginia had a total population of 26,350, the 5th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $48,590, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Wheeling is the 5th largest city in West Virginia with a population of 26,350.
Wheeling Quick Facts
How Wheeling 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 | 26,670 | 26,350 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $48,498 | $48,590 | +0.2% |
| Median home value | $142,500 | $146,500 | +2.8% |
How Wheeling 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+)
Wheeling Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Ohio County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | 2,592 | $83,409 | 8.8% | $200,000 |
| West Liberty | 1,481 | $43,750 | 33.6% | $151,900 |
| Triadelphia | 825 | $48,281 | 26.9% | $93,600 |
| Clearview | 500 | $81,750 | 10.0% | $211,600 |
| Valley Grove | 363 | $58,125 | 10.9% | $122,700 |
Cities Similar to Wheeling
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkersburg | 29,240 | $49,025 | $121,600 | 21.0% | 22.5% |
| Morgantown | 30,236 | $44,727 | $259,400 | 58.5% | 30.4% |
| Martinsburg | 18,904 | $59,555 | $240,000 | 24.7% | 19.8% |
| Weirton | 18,647 | $59,575 | $133,500 | 24.2% | 12.6% |
| Beckley | 16,818 | $45,826 | $158,000 | 29.2% | 28.9% |
Population Overview
Wheeling is a mid-sized community located in West Virginia, within Ohio County. The total population is 26,350. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wheeling is 45.4 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. 11.2% 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 Wheeling is $48,590. This is 18% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.5%. This is 23% 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 6.5%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $146,500. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 59.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wheeling has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.5%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.
Education
34.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 92.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wheeling, 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 Wheeling, West Virginia?
Wheeling, West Virginia has a population of 26,350 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wheeling, WV?
The median household income in Wheeling is $48,590, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wheeling, WV?
The poverty rate in Wheeling is 20.5%. This means approximately 5,184 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wheeling, West Virginia?
Wheeling's population is 88.8% White, 4.5% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wheeling, WV?
The median home value in Wheeling is $146,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Wheeling, West Virginia?
34.1% of adults (25+) in Wheeling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.