Population 73,195 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Raleigh County
Household size in Raleigh County
| Period | Raleigh County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.39 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.42 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.32 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.50 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.11 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Raleigh County has 2.50 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.39 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northeast.
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 Raleigh County
| Period | Raleigh County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.7 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.7 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.3 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.6 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.8 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Raleigh County is 43.6 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.7, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the north, the oldest in the south.
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 Raleigh County
| Period | Raleigh County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.9% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.6% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.7% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in seven households in Raleigh County (13.7%), above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 3.5 points, even as the national share fell. Few West Virginia counties have a higher share of single-parent households: only two of 55.
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 Raleigh County
Renters in Raleigh County
| Period | Raleigh County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.4% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.9% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.6% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.7% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 24.7% of households in Raleigh County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 54.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the center; owners are most common in the southeast. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 1.3 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 Raleigh County
| Period | Raleigh County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.1% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.3% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.7% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.3% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Raleigh County: 15.3% of homes are empty, 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 is up 2.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Raleigh County
| Period | Raleigh County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +6 |
The typical home in Raleigh County was built around 1977, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1972 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, 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 Raleigh County
| Period | Raleigh County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $524 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $618 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $722 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $868 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$344 | +$327 | +$606 |
The median renter in Raleigh County pays $868 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $344 a month since 2006–10, up 66%, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 33.0% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a bigger share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northwest; the highest are in the south.
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 Raleigh County
Bachelor's degrees in Raleigh County
| Period | Raleigh County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.7% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.9% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.3% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.1% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.4 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Raleigh County: 22.1% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 6.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the south.
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 Raleigh County
| Period | Raleigh County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.5% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 82.9% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.4% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.9% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.4 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Raleigh County never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 7.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Raleigh County
| Period | Raleigh County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.4% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.9% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.0% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.0%, unemployment in Raleigh County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has edged down 1.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. 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).
Raleigh 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh County | 2.50 | 43.6 | 13.7% | 24.7% | 15.3% | 1977 | $868 | 22.1% | 85.9% | 5.0% |
| Summers County | 2.32 | 49.1 | 6.6% | 18.8% | 26.5% | 1973 | $928 | 18.3% | 83.5% | 2.2% |
| Wyoming County | 2.63 | 45.5 | 13.0% | 17.5% | 17.6% | 1972 | $670 | 13.5% | 78.6% | 5.5% |
| Greenbrier County | 2.21 | 46.8 | 9.6% | 26.9% | 17.2% | 1977 | $843 | 22.4% | 87.4% | 4.1% |
| Logan County | 2.47 | 43.1 | 12.6% | 23.0% | 13.6% | 1981 | $751 | 15.4% | 84.4% | 9.3% |
| Mingo County | 2.44 | 44.7 | 11.4% | 26.6% | 17.9% | 1981 | $652 | 9.6% | 79.0% | 10.6% |
| Covington City | 2.19 | 40.9 | 15.8% | 29.9% | 14.8% | 1951 | $789 | 9.4% | 86.1% | 4.0% |
| Alleghany County | 2.30 | 47.8 | 8.0% | 17.7% | 18.6% | 1968 | $749 | 14.4% | 89.8% | 2.1% |
| Martin County | 2.60 | 42.2 | 10.0% | 15.1% | 21.1% | 1985 | $547 | 9.8% | 74.8% | 6.5% |
| Johnson County | 2.43 | 42.2 | 11.1% | 31.7% | 15.5% | 1983 | $744 | 17.0% | 81.6% | 4.5% |
| Lexington City | 2.24 | 39.0 | 8.8% | 46.2% | 25.3% | 1962 | $1,099 | 42.6% | 90.5% | 0.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Erie County, OH · Valencia County, NM · Umatilla County, OR · Trujillo Alto Municipio, PR · Rockingham County, VA · Midland County, MI · Franklin County, NC · Forrest County, MS · Floyd County, IN · Fauquier County, VA
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 Raleigh 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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