Population 14,243 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Hardy County
Household size in Hardy County
| Period | Hardy County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.86 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.72 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.40 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.43 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Hardy County run small, averaging 2.43 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has dropped from 2.86 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the north and smallest in the center.
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 Hardy County
| Period | Hardy County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.3 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.0 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.4 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.4 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.1 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
Hardy County skews older: half of its residents are older than 47.4, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.3, in line with the national trend.
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 Hardy County
| Period | Hardy County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.5% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.5% of households in Hardy County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged up 1.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Hardy County
Renters in Hardy County
| Period | Hardy County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.6% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.5% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.2% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.7% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 22.7% of households in Hardy County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 57.4% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the west and least common in the southeast. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 1.1 points, mirroring the country.
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 Hardy County
| Period | Hardy County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.7% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 35.1% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 30.0% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.0% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −9.6 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 27.0% of the housing in Hardy 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 9.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Hardy County
| Period | Hardy County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1979 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1985 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in Hardy County is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1985, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1977 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Hardy County has newer homes than at least four in five West Virginia counties.
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 Hardy County
| Period | Hardy County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $504 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $587 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $710 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $858 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$354 | +$327 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Hardy County costs $858 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $354 a month from 2006–10, a 70% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 24.6% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southeast; the highest are in the northwest.
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 Hardy County
Bachelor's degrees in Hardy County
| Period | Hardy County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.7% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.2% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.2% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.5% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Hardy County: 16.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.9 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the west.
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 Hardy County
| Period | Hardy County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.5% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.6% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.4% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.7% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in seven adults in Hardy County never finished high school, more than nationally: 84.7% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 3.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Hardy County
| Period | Hardy County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.7% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Hardy County: 6.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 0.5 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. 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).
Hardy 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardy County | 2.43 | 47.4 | 8.5% | 22.7% | 27.0% | 1985 | $858 | 16.5% | 84.7% | 6.7% |
| Grant County | 2.47 | 48.8 | 7.4% | 18.9% | 21.1% | 1981 | $726 | 14.0% | 89.8% | 3.1% |
| Frederick County | 2.70 | 42.7 | 10.8% | 20.7% | 6.5% | 1996 | $1,700 | 32.6% | 90.1% | 4.0% |
| Warren County | 2.71 | 40.7 | 10.1% | 24.1% | 10.7% | 1985 | $1,260 | 25.1% | 88.9% | 4.7% |
| Tucker County | 2.34 | 51.5 | 5.0% | 19.1% | 30.1% | 1974 | $678 | 23.8% | 90.5% | 6.9% |
| Winchester City | 2.39 | 38.5 | 13.7% | 56.4% | 10.3% | 1967 | $1,411 | 29.6% | 87.1% | 7.0% |
| Clarke County | 2.60 | 48.2 | 5.9% | 18.5% | 10.7% | 1981 | $1,307 | 40.1% | 92.9% | 2.5% |
| Barbour County | 2.49 | 40.7 | 13.7% | 21.7% | 14.7% | 1977 | $871 | 12.9% | 88.3% | 9.2% |
| Upshur County | 2.34 | 43.3 | 11.6% | 19.3% | 14.5% | 1977 | $875 | 18.3% | 88.2% | 5.8% |
| Loudoun County | 3.05 | 38.7 | 7.9% | 22.1% | 3.8% | 2002 | $2,605 | 66.3% | 94.2% | 3.4% |
| Lewis County | 2.38 | 42.7 | 8.8% | 27.8% | 13.8% | 1979 | $717 | 19.0% | 88.2% | 8.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Baker County, OR · Bath County, KY · Bates County, MO · Barton County, MO · Barnwell County, SC · Worth County, IA · Barceloneta Municipio, PR · Barbour County, WV · Banks County, GA · Bandera County, TX
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 Hardy 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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