Population 15,424 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Barbour County
Household size in Barbour County
| Period | Barbour County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.55 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.66 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.58 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.49 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Barbour County run a little small, averaging 2.49 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has edged down from 2.55 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Households are largest in the south and smallest in the west.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Barbour County
| Period | Barbour County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.1 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.6 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.0 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.7 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.3 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Barbour County are younger than 40.7 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is younger than in West Virginia as a whole, where the median age is 43.2. The median age has edged down from 41.1 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. Of West Virginia's 55 counties, only two are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Barbour County
| Period | Barbour County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.7% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.7% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in seven households in Barbour County (13.7%), above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 4.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Of West Virginia's 55 counties, only three have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Barbour County
Renters in Barbour County
| Period | Barbour County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.7% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.3% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.0% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.7% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 21.7% of households in Barbour County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 60.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the northwest and least common in the east. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 2.1 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Barbour County
| Period | Barbour County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.9% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.5% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.8% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.7% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.3 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.7% of the housing in Barbour County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has fallen 5.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Barbour County
| Period | Barbour County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1966 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +6 | +6 |
The typical home in Barbour County was built around 1977, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1966 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Barbour County
| Period | Barbour County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $478 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $575 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $571 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $871 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$392 | +$327 | +$606 |
The median renter in Barbour County pays $871 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $392 a month from 2006–10, an 82% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 20.8% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Barbour County
Bachelor's degrees in Barbour County
| Period | Barbour County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.3% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.5% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.0% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.9% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Barbour County: 12.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Barbour County has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of West Virginia counties.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Barbour County
| Period | Barbour County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.3% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.4% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.0% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.3% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.1 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Barbour County have finished high school as nationally: 88.3%, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 8.1 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Barbour County
| Period | Barbour County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.1% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.2% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Barbour County runs well above the national rate: 9.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has risen 3.1 points, even as the national rate fell. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Barbour County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbour County | 2.49 | 40.7 | 13.7% | 21.7% | 14.7% | 1977 | $871 | 12.9% | 88.3% | 9.2% |
| Tucker County | 2.34 | 51.5 | 5.0% | 19.1% | 30.1% | 1974 | $678 | 23.8% | 90.5% | 6.9% |
| Harrison County | 2.47 | 43.1 | 8.7% | 26.4% | 13.2% | 1966 | $922 | 27.6% | 90.0% | 4.0% |
| Lewis County | 2.38 | 42.7 | 8.8% | 27.8% | 13.8% | 1979 | $717 | 19.0% | 88.2% | 8.1% |
| Doddridge County | 2.55 | 47.0 | 12.8% | 11.2% | 19.8% | 1976 | $862 | 13.8% | 85.1% | 7.5% |
| Grant County | 2.47 | 48.8 | 7.4% | 18.9% | 21.1% | 1981 | $726 | 14.0% | 89.8% | 3.1% |
| Ritchie County | 2.46 | 45.0 | 7.7% | 15.8% | 18.4% | 1977 | $628 | 15.0% | 85.5% | 2.0% |
| Hardy County | 2.43 | 47.4 | 8.5% | 22.7% | 27.0% | 1985 | $858 | 16.5% | 84.7% | 6.7% |
| Wirt County | 2.52 | 46.8 | 9.6% | 12.2% | 22.9% | 1987 | $561 | 15.4% | 89.6% | 4.9% |
| Wood County | 2.34 | 43.9 | 10.0% | 24.9% | 11.4% | 1970 | $854 | 24.2% | 91.4% | 5.4% |
| Frederick County | 2.70 | 42.7 | 10.8% | 20.7% | 6.5% | 1996 | $1,700 | 32.6% | 90.1% | 4.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: La Paz County, AZ · Conecuh County, AL · Presidio County, TX · Presque Isle County, MI · Price County, WI · Prince Edward County, VA · Colusa County, CA · Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, AK · Greene County, MS · Pushmataha County, OK
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Barbour County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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