City · West Virginia
Welch, West Virginia
Welch, city, in McDowell County, West Virginia. Welch had 3,389 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 6.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,590 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,507 (±23). GEOID 5485228.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,389
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,590 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,507 ±23
Median household income
$32,969
±$11,733 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$57,300
±$20,634 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$441
±$400 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
Where is Welch and what county is it in?
Welch is a city in McDowell County, West Virginia. It covers 7.6 square miles of land, 470 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Welch, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 3,389 people lived in Welch on July 1, 2025, down 6.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 3,590 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,507 (±23).
| Measure | Welch | McDowell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,507 ±23 | 17,943 | no clear change |
| Households | 681 ±133 | 6,467 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.14 ±0.43 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 969 ±135 | 9,336 | −317 |
Welch's population since 2000
From 2,683 in 2000 to 3,389 in 2025: up 26.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Welch 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 Welch?
The median resident of Welch is 40.6 years old; 8.1% are under 18 and 11.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 24.3%. 8.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Welch | McDowell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 ±2.0 | 43.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 8.1% ±2.7 pts | 18.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.5% ±3.6 pts | 21.9% | – |
| Male | 77.7% ±3.4 pts | 53.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.8% ±2.5 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.8% ±5.6 pts | 86.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 24.3% ±4.3 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.3% ±1.9 pts | 1.6% | +3.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.8% ±2.3 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.4% ±2.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
| With a disability | 40.0% ±9.6 pts | 29.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.0% ±4.0 pts | 8.8% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 72.0% ±7.6 pts | 75.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 5.0% ±2.1 pts | 6.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 1.9% ±1.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 77.4% ±4.9 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
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 Welch earn?
Half of Welch's 681 households earn less than $32,969 a year (±$11,733), against $31,559 in McDowell County and $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $46,571 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $13,602 after inflation. 28.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Welch | McDowell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $32,969 ±$11,733 | $31,559 | −$13,602 |
| Mean household income | $40,157 ±$7,985 | $43,863 | – |
| Per capita income | $10,499 ±$2,015 | $17,253 | −$8,281 |
| People below the poverty line | 28.2% ±11.6 pts | 34.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.0% ±8.4 pts | 35.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 40.7% ±14.0 pts | 36.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 80.6% ±11.4 pts | 86.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 77.8% ±11.9 pts | 85.5% | – |
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 Welch?
Owners occupy 75.3% of Welch's occupied homes and renters 24.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $57,300 by its owner (±$20,634).
| Measure | Welch | McDowell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $57,300 ±$20,634 | $50,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $441 ±$400 | $643 | – |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 68.1% ±31.9 pts | 48.3% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $928 ±$395 | $906 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.3% ±12.6 pts | 77.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 24.7% ±12.6 pts | 22.7% | – |
| Housing units | 969 ±135 | 9,336 | −317 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7% ±2.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.2% ±13.6 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.8% ±7.9 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.8% ±5.0 pts | 22.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9% ±1.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.0% ±3.0 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 29.0% ±10.1 pts | 29.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 16.7% ±8.4 pts | 10.7% | – |
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 do people in Welch work and get to work?
72.1% of Welch's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 15.3 minutes.
| Measure | Welch | McDowell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 13.5% ±3.6 pts | 27.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.0% ±8.2 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 72.1% ±13.6 pts | 83.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.6% ±9.9 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 4.4% ±6.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.1% ±3.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.8% ±10.8 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.3 min ±7.6 | 36.0 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 Welch?
No census tract lies mostly in Welch; 3 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9545.03McDowell County | 4,992 | $31,948 |
| Tract 9538McDowell County | 1,871 | $27,450 |
| Tract 9545.04McDowell County | 3,353 | $31,938 |
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 Welch) · Census block assignment files
How does Welch compare with other places in West Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Welch is the 5,970th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 36th-most populous of 230 in West Virginia.
Welch ranks 127th 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 | 36th | 230 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 85th | 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 123rd | 146 |
| Median household income | 127th | 138 |
| Per capita income | 144th | 144 |
| Median home value | 142nd | 142 |
| Poverty rate | 25th | 111 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 134th | 135 |
| Median age | 94th | 146 |
| Owner-occupied share | 50th | 146 |
| Travel time to work | 138th | 145 |
Welch's figures with every place in West Virginia (CSV)
Every place in West Virginia, sortable · Compare Welch 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 Welch?
20 of the 57 figures for Welch 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 Welch 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 Welch.