City · West Virginia
Princeton, West Virginia
Princeton, city, in Mercer County, West Virginia. Princeton had 5,578 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,872 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 5,736 (±32). GEOID 5465692.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,578
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,872 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,736 ±32
Median household income
$43,900
±$7,620 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$120,300
±$15,295 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$747
±$95 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
Where is Princeton and what county is it in?
Princeton is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia. It covers 3.0 square miles of land, 1,948 residents per square mile in 2020.
Princeton is in the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 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 Princeton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,578 people lived in Princeton on July 1, 2025, down 5.0% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 5,872 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 5,736 (±32).
| Measure | Princeton | Mercer County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,736 ±32 | 58,563 | −95 |
| Households | 2,826 ±219 | 24,224 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.02 ±0.16 | 2.36 | −0.25 |
| Housing units | 3,400 ±267 | 29,345 | no clear change |
Princeton's population since 2000
From 6,347 in 2000 to 5,578 in 2025: down 12.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Princeton 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 Princeton?
The median resident of Princeton is 44.2 years old; 17.5% are under 18 and 23.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 8.6%.
| Measure | Princeton | Mercer County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.2 ±2.4 | 43.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.5% ±3.1 pts | 20.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.8% ±3.3 pts | 22.9% | – |
| Male | 48.3% ±3.6 pts | 48.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.6% ±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.1% ±4.7 pts | 88.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.6% ±2.2 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.6% ±4.0 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.0% ±1.1 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6% ±2.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 28.4% ±5.0 pts | 23.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.8% ±2.3 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.2% ±3.0 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.0% ±4.9 pts | 22.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.8% ±2.9 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.0% ±5.6 pts | 90.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 6.0% ±3.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
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 Princeton earn?
Half of Princeton's 2,826 households earn less than $43,900 a year (±$7,620), against $53,210 in Mercer County and $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $51,720 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Princeton | Mercer County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $43,900 ±$7,620 | $53,210 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $57,712 ±$7,324 | $71,510 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,035 ±$3,172 | $30,362 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.9% ±6.7 pts | 16.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 29.3% ±16.7 pts | 19.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 26.2% ±6.7 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.5% ±3.4 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.2% ±5.1 pts | 86.5% | – |
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 Princeton?
Owners occupy 56.8% of Princeton's occupied homes and renters 43.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $120,300 by its owner (±$15,295). The median renter pays $747 a month including utilities, and 47.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Princeton | Mercer County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $120,300 ±$15,295 | $121,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $747 ±$95 | $810 | −$128 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 47.4% ±12.4 pts | 38.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,090 ±$113 | $1,151 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.8% ±6.6 pts | 72.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 43.2% ±6.6 pts | 27.1% | – |
| Housing units | 3,400 ±267 | 29,345 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 7.1% ±6.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.8% ±7.0 pts | 66.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.4% ±3.5 pts | 20.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9% ±1.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.6% ±2.9 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 35.4% ±6.2 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.1% ±4.7 pts | 6.5% | – |
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 Princeton building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Princeton 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 Princeton work and get to work?
76.9% of Princeton's workers drive alone and 10.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.4 minutes.
| Measure | Princeton | Mercer County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.2% ±5.7 pts | 50.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.6% ±1.4 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 76.9% ±7.2 pts | 81.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.1% ±4.2 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7% ±0.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 4.2% ±3.7 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.0% ±6.3 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.4 min ±3.7 | 24.0 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 Princeton?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Princeton, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $42,833 (Tract 13) to $52,931 (Tract 14).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 13Mercer County | 3,922 | $42,833 |
| Tract 14Mercer County | 2,465 | $52,931 |
| Tract 15Mercer County | 6,405 | $46,463 |
| Tract 23Mercer County | 4,540 | $54,844 |
| Tract 12Mercer County | 3,322 | $54,207 |
| Tract 18Mercer County | 4,873 | $61,786 |
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 Princeton) · Census block assignment files
How does Princeton compare with other places in West Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Princeton is the 4,605th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 24th-most populous of 230 in West Virginia.
Princeton ranks 104th 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 | 24th | 230 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 55th | 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 30th | 146 |
| Median household income | 104th | 138 |
| Per capita income | 98th | 144 |
| Median home value | 89th | 142 |
| Median gross rent | 87th | 123 |
| Poverty rate | 70th | 111 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 75th | 135 |
| Median age | 57th | 146 |
| Owner-occupied share | 122nd | 146 |
| Work from home | 33rd | 53 |
| Travel time to work | 126th | 145 |
Princeton's figures with every place in West Virginia (CSV)
Every place in West Virginia, sortable · Compare Princeton 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 Princeton?
16 of the 57 figures for Princeton 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 Princeton 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 Princeton.