City profile · West Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Weirton, WV

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Weirton - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

18,785
Residents
$56,699
Median income
$122,800
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Weirton - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Weirton places in the 30th percentile for household income and the 86th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

30th
percentile, household income
18th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
86th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Weirton, WV

18,785 people live in Weirton, West Virginia - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Weirton brings in $56,699 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.5%. Typical homes in Weirton are valued around $122,800, and the median resident age is 45.4 years. Educational attainment runs 22.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 55.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 10 residential building permits were authorized in Weirton (Building Boom), up 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Weirton reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 468.3 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in West Virginia run below the national norm: the state registers 89.5 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $973 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in West Virginia run around $220, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 40.7 out of 100 (Low).

Population

18,785 residents

Census ACS 2023 - West Virginia

Median Household Income

$56,699 /yr

Poverty 9.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.5 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, West Virginia average

How does Weirton compare to other US cities?

Where Weirton sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 18% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 86% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just West Virginia and the picture shifts: Weirton ranks #5 of 45 West Virginia cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Weirton against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to West Virginia only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

West Virginia-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher sits close to the middle of West Virginia's city distribution

Among the 390 West Virginia cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Weirton ranks #110 - the 72nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Weirton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#126 of 330
62nd percentile in West Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#107 of 390
67th percentile in West Virginia
Median Home Value
#127 of 337
62nd percentile in West Virginia
Poverty Rate
#213 of 389
45th percentile in West Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#110 of 390
72nd percentile in West Virginia

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within West Virginia only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

30thIncome percentile
86thSafety percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income · 86th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Weirton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Weirton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 67 Avg. percentile National median
Weirton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Weirton's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$122,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 82% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Weirton $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Weirton, WV Weirton, WV's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Weirton, WV-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Weirton, WV median $56,699/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Weirton, WV's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Weirton, WV. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
18,785
Median Income
$56,699
Median Home Value
$122,800
Median Age
45.4
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Labor force participation
55.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
468.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
137.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
330.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
18,000 residents18,500 residents19,000 residents19,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 19,123 residents 18,133 residents ▼ -5.2%
Weirton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 4
2021 5
2022 11
2023 5
2024 10

Permit volume increased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.0%
Carpool
8.3%
Public Transit
0.9%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
9.7%
Other
1.1%

Based on 8,547 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for West Virginia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$72
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$38
avg/month
Total Utilities
$220
estimated/month

Estimates reflect West Virginia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a West Virginia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Weirton sits in

Cost of Living Index
89.5
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
40.7 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in West Virginia

Martinsburg
18,805 people
Fairmont
18,303 people
Beckley
16,977 people
Clarksburg
15,829 people
Teays Valley
13,961 people
South Charleston
13,594 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Weirton's 18,785 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Clive, IA
18,776 people
St. Marys, GA
18,805 people
Brownwood, TX
18,805 people
Winthrop, MA
18,807 people
Cimarron Hills, CO
18,808 people
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
18,756 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Weirton's $56,699 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wellman, IA
$56,696 median income
Dendron, VA
$56,696 median income
Pine Air, FL
$56,705 median income
Dayton, TN
$56,692 median income
Hollis, AK
$56,691 median income
Hebron, OH
$56,691 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Weirton, WV Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Weirton, WV - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.1% White 91.3% Black or African American 2.7% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 4.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Weirton compares to nearby West Virginia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Weirton (this city) 18,785 $56,699
Martinsburg 18,805 $54,590
Fairmont 18,303 $60,791
Beckley 16,977 $39,939
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WV FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Weirton, WV?

What is the population of Weirton, WV? +

The population of Weirton, WV stands at 18,785 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Weirton, WV? +

The median household income in Weirton is $56,699 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Weirton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Weirton; the closest available measure is the West Virginia state average, a cost of living index of 89.5 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within West Virginia vary by metro area.

Is Weirton, WV safe? +

Weirton has a total crime rate of 468.3 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Weirton, WV? +

The median home value in Weirton is $122,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.