Population 59,260 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Jefferson County
Household size in Jefferson County
| Period | Jefferson County | Washington area | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.67 | 2.73 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.66 | 2.82 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.65 | 2.86 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.59 | 2.77 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | +0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Jefferson County average 2.59 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is smaller than in the Washington area as a whole, where it has 2.77 people. Household size has edged down from 2.67 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Jefferson County
| Period | Jefferson County | Washington area | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.3 | 37.0 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.6 | 37.6 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.4 | 38.5 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.7 | 39.2 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.4 | +2.2 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
Jefferson County skews a little older than the country: its median age is 41.7, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 38.3, as it has nationally. Among West Virginia's 55 counties, though, only five 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 Jefferson County
| Period | Jefferson County | Washington area | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 11.3% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.2% | 11.3% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 10.4% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.0% | 10.4% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | −0.9 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in ten households in Jefferson County (11.0%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 3.0 points, 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 Jefferson County
Renters in Jefferson County
| Period | Jefferson County | Washington area | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.2% | 34.0% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.9% | 36.6% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.6% | 36.8% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.7% | 36.3% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | +2.3 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Jefferson County is largely a place of homeowners: only 19.7% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. More than a quarter of owners (27.9%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 2.5 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 Jefferson County
| Period | Jefferson County | Washington area | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.2% | 8.7% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 7.3% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.9% | 6.6% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.4% | 5.9% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −2.8 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Jefferson County as nationally: 8.4%, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Washington area overall (5.9%). Vacancy is down 2.8 points from 2006–10, as it has 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 Jefferson County
| Period | Jefferson County | Washington area | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1984 | 1977 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1987 | 1978 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1979 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1982 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +6 | +6 | +6 |
Jefferson County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1991, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1984 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Only one other West Virginia county has newer homes.
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 Jefferson County
| Period | Jefferson County | Washington area | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $905 | $1,470 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,009 | $1,583 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,145 | $1,907 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,157 | $2,236 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$251 | +$766 | +$327 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Jefferson County costs $1,157 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $251 a month since 2006–10, up 28%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.4% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Among West Virginia's 55 counties, though, only one other has higher rents.
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 Jefferson County
Bachelor's degrees in Jefferson County
| Period | Jefferson County | Washington area | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.9% | 46.6% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.0% | 48.2% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.3% | 51.0% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 34.3% | 53.9% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | +7.3 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a third of adults 25 and older in Jefferson County (34.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in the Washington area as a whole (53.9%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.4 points, as it has nationally. Only two of West Virginia's 55 counties have a higher share of college graduates.
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 Jefferson County
| Period | Jefferson County | Washington area | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.9% | 89.4% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.5% | 90.2% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.1% | 90.8% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.8% | 91.2% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | +1.7 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Jefferson County have finished high school as nationally: 89.8%, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 3.9 points from 2006–10, 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 Jefferson County
| Period | Jefferson County | Washington area | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.7% | 5.9% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 6.9% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 4.7% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.8% | 4.8% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Jefferson County runs below the national rate: 3.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 1.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Jefferson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 2.59 | 41.7 | 11.0% | 19.7% | 8.4% | 1991 | $1,157 | 34.3% | 89.8% | 3.8% |
| Berkeley County | 2.58 | 39.9 | 14.1% | 24.0% | 6.5% | 1994 | $1,304 | 25.5% | 90.7% | 4.7% |
| Frederick County | 2.78 | 39.9 | 10.2% | 23.0% | 5.4% | 1991 | $1,932 | 47.0% | 93.5% | 3.2% |
| Hampshire County | 2.80 | 45.8 | 11.9% | 17.3% | 31.8% | 1986 | $816 | 19.6% | 88.9% | 8.6% |
| Howard County | 2.84 | 40.6 | 9.1% | 28.5% | 4.4% | 1991 | $2,257 | 64.5% | 94.8% | 3.6% |
| Mineral County | 2.38 | 44.2 | 10.1% | 19.0% | 11.8% | 1978 | $817 | 23.4% | 94.1% | 6.0% |
| Baltimore County | 2.59 | 40.9 | 11.9% | 33.6% | 6.4% | 1973 | $1,680 | 42.2% | 91.6% | 4.9% |
| Baltimore City | 2.29 | 37.6 | 15.8% | 52.5% | 13.4% | 1953 | $1,395 | 36.4% | 87.1% | 7.3% |
| Kent County | 2.15 | 47.2 | 12.0% | 27.5% | 18.6% | 1977 | $1,310 | 38.7% | 91.2% | 2.9% |
| Taylor County | 2.51 | 42.4 | 15.0% | 16.1% | 12.9% | 1973 | $823 | 21.3% | 88.7% | 6.5% |
| Marion County | 2.35 | 41.6 | 8.6% | 23.3% | 11.4% | 1964 | $955 | 27.8% | 92.9% | 5.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Coos County, OR · Walker County, AL · Vernon Parish, LA · Vermilion Parish, LA · Venango County, PA · Vega Baja Municipio, PR · Curry County, NM · Cumberland County, TN · Culpeper County, VA · Crawford County, AR
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 Jefferson 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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