County · West Virginia
Hancock County, West Virginia
Hancock County, West Virginia. Hancock County had 27,729 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 4 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 54029.
Hancock 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
27,729
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 29,095 · ACS 2020-2024: 28,431
Median household income
$61,466
±$3,968 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$130,800
±$11,576 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$771
±$34 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Hancock County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 29,095 residents in Hancock County. The Census Bureau estimates 27,729 for July 1, 2025, down 4.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 28,431 over 83 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hancock County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 28,431 | 1,778,373 | −952 |
| Households | 12,824±287 | 728,655 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.19±0.05 | 2.37 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 14,194±27 | 861,325 | −165 |
Hancock County's population since 2000
From 32,667 in 2000 to 27,729 in 2025: down 15.1%. 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 Hancock County?
Hancock County holds 4 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chester | 2,208 | $56,607 |
| Newell | 1,203 | $60,278 |
| New Cumberland | 1,020 | $32,292 |
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 Hancock County?
The median resident of Hancock County is 47.0 years old; 18.4% are under 18 and 24.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.5%. 0.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hancock County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.0±0.4 | 42.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.4%±0.1 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.6%±0.4 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% | 2.1% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.0%±0.4 pts | 89.7% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.6 pts | 3.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 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 | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.6 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.4%±0.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.2%±1.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.7%±1.7 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.4%±1.3 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.9%±1.4 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.9%±2.3 pts | 24.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.7%±1.1 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6%±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 Hancock County earn?
Half of Hancock County's 12,824 households earn less than $61,466 a year (±$3,968), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $56,320 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,146 after inflation. 14.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hancock County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,466±$3,968 | $59,608 | +$5,146 |
| Mean household income | $81,029±$6,066 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,064±$2,746 | $34,203 | +$4,531 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.5%±2.4 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.0%±6.9 pts | 21.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.1%±1.7 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.7%±2.1 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 Hancock County?
Owners occupy 74.5% of Hancock County's occupied homes and renters 25.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $130,800 by its owner (±$11,576). The median renter pays $771 a month including utilities, and 42.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hancock County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $130,800±$11,576 | $162,600 | +$16,345 |
| Median gross rent | $771±$34 | $872 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.5%±8.6 pts | 39.0% | +12.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,007±$69 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.5%±2.9 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,194±27 | 861,325 | −165 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.4%±4.1 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.8%±2.8 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.7%±1.7 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.0%±2.1 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 Hancock County building?
Builders took permits for 14 new housing units across Hancock County in 2025 (14 single-family), 0.5 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 Hancock County get to work?
77.7% of Hancock County's workers drive alone and 10.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.4%.
| Measure | Hancock County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.8%±2.1 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.4%±1.9 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.7%±3.3 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.5%±2.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±1.1 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.1%±2.0 pts | 9.1% | +7.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.0 min±1.6 | 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 Hancock County's census tracts?
Hancock County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $43,500 (Tract 209) to $73,056 (Tract 211).
| Tract 20654029020600 | 4,332±478 | $61,970 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 20754029020700 | 4,205±486 | $70,458 |
| Tract 20954029020900 | 2,415±462 | $43,500 |
| Tract 21154029021100 | 3,584±436 | $73,056 |
| Tract 21254029021200 | 3,509±323 | $63,024 |
| Tract 21354029021300 | 3,097±360 | $52,544 |
| Tract 21454029021400 | 3,255±436 | $66,400 |
| Tract 21554029021500 | 4,034±566 | $57,847 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hancock County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 19th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 39th of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd of 55 |
| Median household income | 13th of 55 |
| Median home value | 34th of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 27th of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 41st of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20th of 55 |
| Median age | 10th 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 Hancock 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.