County · West Virginia
Boone County, West Virginia
Boone County, West Virginia. Boone County had 20,251 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 7.2% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 9 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 5 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 54005.
Boone County is one of the 3 counties of the Charleston, WV metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,251
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 21,809 · ACS 2020-2024: 21,026
Median household income
$57,093
±$5,805 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$93,100
±$7,538 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$837
±$122 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Boone County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 21,809 residents in Boone County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,251 for July 1, 2025, down 7.2% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 21,026 over 502 square miles of land.
| Measure | Boone County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 21,026 | 1,778,373 | −1,342 |
| Households | 7,927±258 | 728,655 | −1,005 |
| Average household size | 2.64±0.09 | 2.37 | +0.15 |
| Housing units | 10,150±26 | 861,325 | −1,049 |
Boone County's population since 2000
From 25,535 in 2000 to 20,251 in 2025: down 20.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Boone County?
Boone County holds 9 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Madison with 2,678 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Madison | 2,913 | $58,872 |
|---|---|---|
| Danville | 672 | $23,571 |
| WhitesvilleGEOID 5486836 | 361 | $47,917 |
| GreenviewGEOID 5433580 | 333 | $59,042 |
| ComfortGEOID 5417380 | 320 | $97,222 |
| RacineGEOID 5466484 | 267 | not published |
| VanGEOID 5482852 | 177 | $75,000 |
| SylvesterGEOID 5478964 | 171 | not published |
| TwilightGEOID 5481484 | 74 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Boone County?
The median resident of Boone County is 45.3 years old; 20.5% are under 18 and 22.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 97.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 1.6%. 0.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Boone County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.3±0.3 | 42.7 | +1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 20.5%±0.4 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.1%±0.2 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 2.1% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 97.1%±0.2 pts | 89.7% | −0.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7%±1.1 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 26.0%±2.7 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.6%±1.2 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.6%±2.4 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 11.5%±2.0 pts | 24.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.0%±1.4 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 2.4% | – |
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 Boone County earn?
Half of Boone County's 7,927 households earn less than $57,093 a year (±$5,805), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $50,137 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,956 after inflation. 16.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Boone County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,093±$5,805 | $59,608 | +$6,956 |
| Mean household income | $70,950±$4,315 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,780±$1,679 | $34,203 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.2%±2.8 pts | 16.7% | −6.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.9%±7.0 pts | 21.5% | −12.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 22.0%±3.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.8%±2.5 pts | 86.1% | – |
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 Boone County?
Owners occupy 81.3% of Boone County's occupied homes and renters 18.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $93,100 by its owner (±$7,538). The median renter pays $837 a month including utilities, and 42.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Boone County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $93,100±$7,538 | $162,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $837±$122 | $872 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.3%±12.3 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,160±$68 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.3%±3.3 pts | 74.9% | +4.7 pts |
| Housing units | 10,150±26 | 861,325 | −1,049 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.0%±3.1 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.2%±3.1 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 26.7%±3.1 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.5%±2.2 pts | 14.9% | – |
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 Boone County building?
Builders took permits for 6 new housing units across Boone County in 2025 (6 single-family), 0.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Boone County get to work?
79.0% of Boone County's workers drive alone and 5.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.9%.
| Measure | Boone County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 46.2%±2.3 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.9%±3.0 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.0%±4.1 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.6%±2.6 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 5.0%±2.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.9%±2.1 pts | 9.1% | +3.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.4 min±3.6 | 26.6 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 are Boone County's census tracts?
Boone County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,292 (Tract 9587) to $69,440 (Tract 9585.02).
| Tract 958254005958200 | 3,741±524 | $56,058 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 958354005958300 | 3,584±531 | $69,280 |
| Tract 958454005958400 | 2,080±350 | $60,500 |
| Tract 9585.0154005958501 | 2,530±404 | $51,765 |
| Tract 9585.0254005958502 | 2,952±423 | $69,440 |
| Tract 958654005958600 | 1,677±350 | $69,306 |
| Tract 958754005958700 | 1,600±405 | $31,292 |
| Tract 958854005958800 | 2,862±503 | $54,855 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Boone County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 29th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 51st of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 31st of 55 |
| Median household income | 24th of 55 |
| Median home value | 50th of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 15th of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 31st of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 50th of 55 |
| Median age | 25th of 55 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Boone County 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' school search.