Population 8,286 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Ritchie County
Household size in Ritchie County
| Period | Ritchie County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.49 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.42 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.46 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.03 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Ritchie County has 2.46 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has edged down from 2.49 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Households are largest in the north and smallest in the south.
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 Ritchie County
| Period | Ritchie County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.7 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.4 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.0 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.0 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.3 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.0, Ritchie County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 42.7, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the northeast and oldest in the southwest.
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 Ritchie County
| Period | Ritchie County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.8% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.3% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.7% of households in Ritchie County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.3 points, as it has nationally.
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 Ritchie County
Renters in Ritchie County
| Period | Ritchie County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.3% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.1% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.2% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 15.8% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −6.5 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 15.8% of households in Ritchie County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About two-thirds of owners (66.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 6.5 points, even as the national share rose. Few West Virginia counties have a lower share of renters: only five of 55.
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 Ritchie County
| Period | Ritchie County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.7% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.7% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 28.7% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.4% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −7.3 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 18.4% of the housing in Ritchie 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 is down 7.3 points from 2006–10, 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 Ritchie County
| Period | Ritchie County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1966 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1967 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1972 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +6 | +6 |
The typical home in Ritchie 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. The newest homes are mostly in the east, the oldest in the southwest.
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 Ritchie County
| Period | Ritchie County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $465 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $565 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $560 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $628 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$163 | +$327 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Ritchie County costs $628 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $163 a month since 2006–10, up 35%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 29.8% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the southeast; the most affordable are in the southwest.
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 Ritchie County
Bachelor's degrees in Ritchie County
| Period | Ritchie County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.2% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.5% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.0% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.8 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Ritchie County: 15.0% 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 3.8 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the southwest.
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 Ritchie County
| Period | Ritchie County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.8% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.3% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.5% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.5% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.7 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Ritchie County never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 5.7 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 Ritchie County
| Period | Ritchie County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.3% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.0% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.1 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Ritchie County has been strong: just 2.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Ritchie County has the lowest unemployment rate of any West Virginia county. Unemployment is down 6.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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).
Ritchie 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ritchie County | 2.46 | 45.0 | 7.7% | 15.8% | 18.4% | 1977 | $628 | 15.0% | 85.5% | 2.0% |
| Pleasants County | 2.58 | 43.5 | 10.1% | 18.6% | 13.9% | 1979 | $686 | 14.5% | 89.9% | 9.5% |
| Doddridge County | 2.55 | 47.0 | 12.8% | 11.2% | 19.8% | 1976 | $862 | 13.8% | 85.1% | 7.5% |
| Wood County | 2.34 | 43.9 | 10.0% | 24.9% | 11.4% | 1970 | $854 | 24.2% | 91.4% | 5.4% |
| Harrison County | 2.47 | 43.1 | 8.7% | 26.4% | 13.2% | 1966 | $922 | 27.6% | 90.0% | 4.0% |
| Taylor County | 2.51 | 42.4 | 15.0% | 16.1% | 12.9% | 1973 | $823 | 21.3% | 88.7% | 6.5% |
| Barbour County | 2.49 | 40.7 | 13.7% | 21.7% | 14.7% | 1977 | $871 | 12.9% | 88.3% | 9.2% |
| Athens County | 2.41 | 37.2 | 7.0% | 39.6% | 13.9% | 1975 | $1,004 | 35.7% | 91.8% | 6.8% |
| Tucker County | 2.34 | 51.5 | 5.0% | 19.1% | 30.1% | 1974 | $678 | 23.8% | 90.5% | 6.9% |
| Vinton County | 2.39 | 43.4 | 9.1% | 24.5% | 11.5% | 1984 | $805 | 12.9% | 83.9% | 5.3% |
| Ross County | 2.43 | 41.4 | 12.3% | 30.4% | 8.9% | 1975 | $914 | 17.6% | 89.2% | 3.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Moffat County, CO · Ochiltree County, TX · Monroe County, WV · Monroe County, MO · Monroe County, KY · Monroe County, IA · Monroe County, AR · Monona County, IA · Mono County, CA · Moniteau County, MO
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 Ritchie 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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