County · West Virginia
Gilmer County, West Virginia
Gilmer County, West Virginia. Gilmer County had 7,085 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.4% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 2 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 54021.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,085
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,408 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,288
Median household income
$47,981
±$4,227 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$83,800
±$9,991 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$750
±$82 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Gilmer County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 7,408 residents in Gilmer County. The Census Bureau estimates 7,085 for July 1, 2025, down 4.4% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 7,288 over 339 square miles of land.
| Measure | Gilmer County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,288 | 1,778,373 | −753 |
| Households | 2,254±172 | 728,655 | −333 |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.16 | 2.37 | −0.24 |
| Housing units | 3,117±39 | 861,325 | −439 |
Gilmer County's population since 2000
From 7,160 in 2000 to 7,085 in 2025: down 1.0%. 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 Gilmer County?
Gilmer County holds 2 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Glenville with 1,047 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Glenville | 1,129 | $47,422 |
|---|---|---|
| Sand ForkGEOID 5471620 | 180 | $35,938 |
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 Gilmer County?
The median resident of Gilmer County is 41.5 years old; 14.9% are under 18 and 18.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 13.6%. 3.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Gilmer County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5±0.7 | 42.7 | +2.3 |
| Under 18 years | 14.9%±0.5 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.2%±0.5 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.1%±0.8 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 78.5%±0.8 pts | 89.7% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 13.6%±0.3 pts | 3.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±1.1 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.9 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.4%±1.1 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.9%±1.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4%±2.0 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 14.4%±3.2 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.7%±2.7 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.3%±2.8 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.5%±4.0 pts | 24.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.1%±1.9 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8%±1.4 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 Gilmer County earn?
Half of Gilmer County's 2,254 households earn less than $47,981 a year (±$4,227), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $52,472 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Gilmer County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $47,981±$4,227 | $59,608 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $59,427±$6,596 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $20,425±$3,045 | $34,203 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.0%±5.2 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.8%±12.0 pts | 21.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.6%±6.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 75.8%±5.2 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 Gilmer County?
Owners occupy 75.6% of Gilmer County's occupied homes and renters 24.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $83,800 by its owner (±$9,991). The median renter pays $750 a month including utilities, and 16.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Gilmer County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $83,800±$9,991 | $162,600 | −$31,024 |
| Median gross rent | $750±$82 | $872 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 16.3%±9.9 pts | 39.0% | −22.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $772±$120 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.6%±6.1 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,117±39 | 861,325 | −439 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9%±1.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 12.0%±8.2 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.0%±5.5 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 25.4%±5.3 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.7%±5.5 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 Gilmer County building?
Builders took permits for 6 new housing units across Gilmer County in 2025 (6 single-family), 0.8 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 Gilmer County get to work?
73.5% of Gilmer County's workers drive alone and 3.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.8%.
| Measure | Gilmer County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 35.4%±2.6 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8%±3.1 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.5%±6.8 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.0%±5.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 5.2%±2.9 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.2%±1.8 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.2 min±5.2 | 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 Gilmer County's census tracts?
Gilmer County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $47,647 (Tract 9677.01) to $51,167 (Tract 9678).
| Tract 9677.0154021967701 | 3,782±244 | $47,647 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 967854021967800 | 1,874±246 | $51,167 |
| Tract 980054021980000 | 1,632±16 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Gilmer County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 51st of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 34th of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 50th of 55 |
| Median household income | 46th of 55 |
| Median home value | 52nd of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 30th of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 23rd of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27th of 55 |
| Median age | 50th 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 Gilmer 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.