Population 11,729 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Summers County
Household size in Summers County
| Period | Summers County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.47 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.30 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.15 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.32 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.15 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Summers County is a place of small households, averaging 2.32 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.47 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southwest.
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 Summers County
| Period | Summers County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.6 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.5 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 49.8 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.1 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.5 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
Summers County skews older: half of its residents are older than 49.1, 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 43.6, in line with the national trend. Few West Virginia counties are older: only four of 55.
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 Summers County
| Period | Summers County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.2% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.9% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Summers County: 6.6% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 1.7 points, in line with the national trend. Of West Virginia's 55 counties, only four have a lower 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 Summers County
Renters in Summers County
| Period | Summers County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.5% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.1% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.8% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.8% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Summers County is largely a place of homeowners: only 18.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About two-thirds of owners (65.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%.
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 Summers County
| Period | Summers County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.7% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.4% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 26.9% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.5% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −7.2 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 26.5% of the housing in Summers 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 7.2 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 Summers County
| Period | Summers County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1964 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1969 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1973 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Summers County run older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1973 against 1980. The median year built has moved up from 1964 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, 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 Summers County
| Period | Summers County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $416 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $503 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $622 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $928 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$512 | +$327 | +$606 |
The median renter in Summers County pays $928 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $512 a month since 2006–10, up 123%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 29.5% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest 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 Summers County
Bachelor's degrees in Summers County
| Period | Summers County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.7% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.8% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.5% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.3% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.6 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Summers County: 18.3% 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 6.6 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Summers County
| Period | Summers County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 75.6% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 81.1% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.3% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 83.5% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.9 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in six adults in Summers County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 83.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 7.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Summers County has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five West Virginia counties.
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 Summers County
| Period | Summers County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.2% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.6% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.1% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.2% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Summers County has been low: just 2.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other West Virginia county has lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 2.0 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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).
Summers 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summers County | 2.32 | 49.1 | 6.6% | 18.8% | 26.5% | 1973 | $928 | 18.3% | 83.5% | 2.2% |
| Monroe County | 2.89 | 45.5 | 8.2% | 13.1% | 26.1% | 1977 | $691 | 15.7% | 87.3% | 4.7% |
| Raleigh County | 2.50 | 43.6 | 13.7% | 24.7% | 15.3% | 1977 | $868 | 22.1% | 85.9% | 5.0% |
| Wyoming County | 2.63 | 45.5 | 13.0% | 17.5% | 17.6% | 1972 | $670 | 13.5% | 78.6% | 5.5% |
| Covington City | 2.19 | 40.9 | 15.8% | 29.9% | 14.8% | 1951 | $789 | 9.4% | 86.1% | 4.0% |
| Mingo County | 2.44 | 44.7 | 11.4% | 26.6% | 17.9% | 1981 | $652 | 9.6% | 79.0% | 10.6% |
| Lexington City | 2.24 | 39.0 | 8.8% | 46.2% | 25.3% | 1962 | $1,099 | 42.6% | 90.5% | 0.4% |
| Rockbridge County | 2.32 | 48.1 | 8.6% | 20.7% | 14.7% | 1980 | $940 | 33.6% | 91.3% | 3.5% |
| Buena Vista City | 2.37 | 40.2 | 16.1% | 43.5% | 14.9% | 1971 | $1,487 | 23.6% | 88.4% | 3.4% |
| Amherst County | 2.47 | 43.9 | 8.1% | 19.2% | 12.2% | 1980 | $1,029 | 25.2% | 89.9% | 5.3% |
| Floyd County | 2.37 | 42.7 | 11.8% | 27.8% | 16.5% | 1982 | $736 | 16.3% | 81.4% | 8.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Burleson County, TX · Brown County, KS · Brown County, NE · Brule County, SD · Brunswick County, VA · Buchanan County, IA · Buchanan County, VA · Buckingham County, VA · Buena Vista City, VA · Buena Vista County, IA
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 Summers 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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