Population 5,053 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Wirt County
Household size in Wirt County
| Period | Wirt County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.44 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.42 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.31 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.52 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.08 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Wirt County has 2.52 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Even so, the typical household here is bigger than in West Virginia as a whole, where it has 2.43 people. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.44, even as the national average fell.
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 Wirt County
| Period | Wirt County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.4 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.1 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.2 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.8 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.4 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.8, Wirt County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 42.4 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the northwest, the oldest in the east.
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 Wirt County
| Period | Wirt County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.3% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.6% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Wirt County (9.6%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. The picture is much the same across West Virginia. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.6 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 Wirt County
Renters in Wirt County
| Period | Wirt County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.6% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.6% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.3% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 12.2% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −6.3 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Wirt County is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 12.2% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 6.3 points, even as the national share rose. Only one other West Virginia county has a lower share of renters.
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 Wirt County
| Period | Wirt County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.0% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.5% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 23.4% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.9% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 22.9% of the housing in Wirt 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 4.1 points, mirroring the country.
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 Wirt County
| Period | Wirt County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1977 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in Wirt County is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1987, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the east. Only four of West Virginia's 55 counties have 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 Wirt County
| Period | Wirt County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $471 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $553 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $498 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $561 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$90 | +$327 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Wirt County costs $561 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $90 a month since 2006–10, up 19%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 33.4% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Only one other West Virginia county has lower 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 Wirt County
Bachelor's degrees in Wirt County
| Period | Wirt County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.2% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.4% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Wirt County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 15.4%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.4 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 Wirt County
| Period | Wirt County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.2% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.2% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 83.0% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.6% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Wirt County have finished high school as nationally: 89.6%, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 5.4 points, 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 Wirt County
| Period | Wirt County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.5% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.0% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.7 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Wirt County is close to the national rate: 4.9% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 7.7 points, 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).
Wirt 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wirt County | 2.52 | 46.8 | 9.6% | 12.2% | 22.9% | 1987 | $561 | 15.4% | 89.6% | 4.9% |
| Gilmer County | 2.38 | 42.2 | 12.4% | 24.4% | 43.1% | 1974 | $750 | 18.5% | 86.0% | 8.5% |
| Meigs County | 2.41 | 45.0 | 13.6% | 24.6% | 14.8% | 1976 | $848 | 12.6% | 86.4% | 6.1% |
| Lewis County | 2.38 | 42.7 | 8.8% | 27.8% | 13.8% | 1979 | $717 | 19.0% | 88.2% | 8.1% |
| Upshur County | 2.34 | 43.3 | 11.6% | 19.3% | 14.5% | 1977 | $875 | 18.3% | 88.2% | 5.8% |
| Jackson County | 2.69 | 40.1 | 11.3% | 26.1% | 13.5% | 1980 | $768 | 16.3% | 85.2% | 3.4% |
| Barbour County | 2.49 | 40.7 | 13.7% | 21.7% | 14.7% | 1977 | $871 | 12.9% | 88.3% | 9.2% |
| Pike County | 2.52 | 41.5 | 13.3% | 31.5% | 10.5% | 1980 | $902 | 15.9% | 86.6% | 5.1% |
| Tucker County | 2.34 | 51.5 | 5.0% | 19.1% | 30.1% | 1974 | $678 | 23.8% | 90.5% | 6.9% |
| Grant County | 2.47 | 48.8 | 7.4% | 18.9% | 21.1% | 1981 | $726 | 14.0% | 89.8% | 3.1% |
| Brown County | 2.56 | 43.0 | 11.7% | 22.8% | 11.7% | 1981 | $820 | 15.5% | 87.4% | 5.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Wheatland County, MT · Baca County, CO · Bailey County, TX · Baker County, GA · Ballard County, KY · Banner County, NE · Wayne County, NE · Wayne County, UT · Webster County, GA · Webster County, MS
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 Wirt 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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