City · West Virginia
Benwood, West Virginia
Benwood, city, in Marshall County, West Virginia. Benwood had 1,196 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 6.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,252 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 1,230 (±206). GEOID 5406340.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,196
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,252 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,230 ±206
Median household income
$43,636
±$12,515 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$74,900
±$3,980 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$677
±$117 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
Where is Benwood and what county is it in?
Benwood is a city in Marshall County, West Virginia. It covers 1.3 square miles of land, 959 residents per square mile in 2020.
Benwood is in the Wheeling, WV-OH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Benwood, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,196 people lived in Benwood on July 1, 2025, down 6.0% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 1,252 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 1,230 (±206).
| Measure | Benwood | Marshall County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,230 ±206 | 29,865 | no clear change |
| Households | 640 ±109 | 12,487 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 1.92 ±0.21 | 2.33 | −0.41 |
| Housing units | 762 ±108 | 14,701 | no clear change |
Benwood's population since 2000
From 1,585 in 2000 to 1,196 in 2025: down 24.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Benwood as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Benwood?
The median resident of Benwood is 51.6 years old; 11.6% are under 18 and 26.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.2%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.7%.
| Measure | Benwood | Marshall County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.6 ±9.8 | 46.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 11.6% ±4.4 pts | 19.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.7% ±6.4 pts | 23.8% | – |
| Male | 51.2% ±5.5 pts | 51.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.6% ±1.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.2% ±4.6 pts | 92.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±1.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±1.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±3.0 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.7% ±3.6 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±3.0 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9% ±0.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.2% ±2.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.6% ±5.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 24.1% ±5.2 pts | 19.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.7% ±3.0 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.9% ±5.7 pts | 92.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 6.4% ±3.1 pts | 20.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 0.9% ±0.8 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.4% ±6.5 pts | 89.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1% ±2.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Benwood earn?
Half of Benwood's 640 households earn less than $43,636 a year (±$12,515), against $59,169 in Marshall County and $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $41,023 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 29.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Benwood | Marshall County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $43,636 ±$12,515 | $59,169 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $51,862 ±$9,050 | $78,395 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,737 ±$3,711 | $34,200 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 29.3% ±9.8 pts | 16.8% | +14.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 40.6% ±25.5 pts | 27.8% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 29.7% ±9.6 pts | 21.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 86.1% ±6.7 pts | 89.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.5% ±6.6 pts | 85.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Benwood?
Owners occupy 63.3% of Benwood's occupied homes and renters 36.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $74,900 by its owner (±$3,980). The median renter pays $677 a month including utilities, and 27.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Benwood | Marshall County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $74,900 ±$3,980 | $149,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $677 ±$117 | $837 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.3% ±12.6 pts | 47.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $937 ±$58 | $1,147 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.3% ±9.1 pts | 78.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 36.7% ±9.1 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Housing units | 762 ±108 | 14,701 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±8.8 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.9% ±6.9 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.2% ±8.6 pts | 81.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.8% ±2.0 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±4.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.3% ±1.9 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 40.4% ±8.1 pts | 27.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 20.0% ±8.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Benwood building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Benwood in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 2.2 across West Virginia.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Benwood work and get to work?
77.5% of Benwood's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 20.7 minutes.
| Measure | Benwood | Marshall County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.9% ±8.1 pts | 53.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% ±2.7 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 77.5% ±8.9 pts | 79.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.4% ±8.2 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6% ±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 5.6% ±5.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 1.3% ±1.2 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.7 min ±3.8 | 24.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Benwood?
1 census tract lies mostly in Benwood, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 205Marshall County | 957 | $45,083 |
| Tract 213Marshall County | 4,438 | $80,100 |
| Tract 206.01Marshall County | 2,075 | $42,321 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Benwood) · Census block assignment files
How does Benwood compare with other places in West Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Benwood is the 9,603rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 90th-most populous of 230 in West Virginia.
Benwood ranks 108th of 138 places in West Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 90th | 230 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 78th | 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 93rd | 146 |
| Median household income | 108th | 138 |
| Per capita income | 119th | 144 |
| Median home value | 137th | 142 |
| Median gross rent | 99th | 123 |
| Poverty rate | 20th | 111 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 132nd | 135 |
| Median age | 17th | 146 |
| Owner-occupied share | 101st | 146 |
| Travel time to work | 88th | 145 |
Benwood's figures with every place in West Virginia (CSV)
Every place in West Virginia, sortable · Compare Benwood with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Benwood?
19 of the 57 figures for Benwood on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Benwood are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Benwood.