County · West Virginia
Brooke County, West Virginia
Brooke County, West Virginia. Brooke County had 21,142 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 6.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 8 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 54009.
Brooke County is one of the 3 counties of the Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,142
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 22,559 · ACS 2020-2024: 21,805
Median household income
$54,316
±$5,403 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$141,500
±$13,244 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$645
±$38 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Brooke County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 22,559 residents in Brooke County. The Census Bureau estimates 21,142 for July 1, 2025, down 6.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 21,805 over 89 square miles of land.
| Measure | Brooke County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 21,805 | 1,778,373 | −654 |
| Households | 9,675±252 | 728,655 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.16±0.06 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,691±39 | 861,325 | −103 |
Brooke County's population since 2000
From 25,447 in 2000 to 21,142 in 2025: down 16.9%. 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 Brooke County?
Brooke County holds 8 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Weirton with 18,133 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Weirton | 19,163 | $59,575 |
|---|---|---|
| Follansbee | 2,848 | $58,371 |
| Hooverson Heights | 2,582 | $60,781 |
| Wellsburg | 2,450 | $42,868 |
| Bethany | 781 | $60,313 |
| Beech Bottom | 553 | $33,125 |
| Windsor Heights | 361 | $42,270 |
| ColliersGEOID 5417140 | 166 | 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 Brooke County?
The median resident of Brooke County is 46.6 years old; 17.2% are under 18 and 25.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.4%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.0%. 1.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Brooke County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.6±0.3 | 42.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.2%±0.3 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.2%±0.1 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% | 2.1% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.4%±1.0 pts | 89.7% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.4 pts | 3.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | no clear change |
| 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%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0%±1.2 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.6%±0.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4%±1.1 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.1%±1.7 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.0%±1.7 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.8%±1.4 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.4%±2.7 pts | 24.1% | +4.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.7%±1.7 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3%±0.9 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 Brooke County earn?
Half of Brooke County's 9,675 households earn less than $54,316 a year (±$5,403), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $63,376 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $9,060 after inflation. 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Brooke County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,316±$5,403 | $59,608 | −$9,060 |
| Mean household income | $74,922±$4,716 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,184±$2,066 | $34,203 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.1%±2.4 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.4%±6.6 pts | 21.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.1%±3.4 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.1%±3.7 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 Brooke County?
Owners occupy 74.6% of Brooke County's occupied homes and renters 25.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $141,500 by its owner (±$13,244). The median renter pays $645 a month including utilities, and 21.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Brooke County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $141,500±$13,244 | $162,600 | +$26,799 |
| Median gross rent | $645±$38 | $872 | −$102 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 21.2%±5.8 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,112±$57 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.6%±3.8 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,691±39 | 861,325 | −103 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.6%±2.3 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.1%±3.4 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.7%±3.0 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.0%±2.7 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 Brooke County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Brooke County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 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 Brooke County get to work?
81.0% of Brooke County's workers drive alone and 7.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.3%.
| Measure | Brooke County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.0%±1.7 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3%±1.8 pts | 5.4% | +2.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 81.0%±3.0 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.4%±2.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.2%±1.1 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.3%±1.8 pts | 9.1% | +3.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.8 min±1.7 | 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 Brooke County's census tracts?
Brooke County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $41,721 (Tract 311.03) to $82,083 (Tract 311.02).
| Tract 311.0254009031102 | 4,360±506 | $82,083 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 311.0354009031103 | 2,486±253 | $41,721 |
| Tract 311.0454009031104 | 2,292±247 | $56,719 |
| Tract 31254009031200 | 2,825±351 | $49,029 |
| Tract 314.0154009031401 | 1,729±196 | $43,297 |
| Tract 314.0254009031402 | 2,605±422 | $52,303 |
| Tract 31654009031600 | 3,473±229 | $65,455 |
| Tract 31754009031700 | 2,035±315 | $48,375 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Brooke County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 28th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 47th of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 7th of 55 |
| Median household income | 31st of 55 |
| Median home value | 31st of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 48th of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 49th of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13th of 55 |
| Median age | 14th 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 Brooke 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.