County · West Virginia
Hardy County, West Virginia
Hardy County, West Virginia. Hardy County had 14,337 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.3% since 2020, while West Virginia shrank 1.5%. It holds 2 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 54031.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,337
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,299 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,243
Median household income
$49,272
±$2,641 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$166,300
±$12,533 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$816
±$59 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Hardy County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,299 residents in Hardy County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,337 for July 1, 2025, up 0.3% since 2020, while West Virginia shrank 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,243 over 582 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hardy County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,243 | 1,778,373 | +438 |
| Households | 5,954±245 | 728,655 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.38±0.10 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,284±18 | 861,325 | no clear change |
Hardy County's population since 2000
From 12,669 in 2000 to 14,337 in 2025: up 13.2%. 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 Hardy County?
Hardy County holds 2 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Moorefield with 2,655 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Moorefield | 2,524 | $49,063 |
|---|---|---|
| Wardensville | 269 | $33,750 |
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 Hardy County?
The median resident of Hardy County is 46.7 years old; 19.8% are under 18 and 23.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 4.7%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hardy County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.7±0.6 | 42.7 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 19.8% | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.2%±0.5 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.6% | 2.1% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.7%±0.7 pts | 89.7% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.7%±0.5 pts | 3.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±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%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.8 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1%±1.3 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.2%±1.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.0%±1.8 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 19.2%±2.1 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.8%±2.1 pts | 6.0% | +3.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.9%±2.4 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.7%±3.0 pts | 24.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.8%±1.6 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.5%±2.5 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 Hardy County earn?
Half of Hardy County's 5,954 households earn less than $49,272 a year (±$2,641), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $58,382 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $9,110 after inflation. 17.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hardy County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,272±$2,641 | $59,608 | −$9,110 |
| Mean household income | $68,673±$5,424 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,801±$2,187 | $34,203 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.7%±3.3 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.8%±11.1 pts | 21.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.2%±3.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.9%±3.3 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 Hardy County?
Owners occupy 77.3% of Hardy County's occupied homes and renters 22.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $166,300 by its owner (±$12,533). The median renter pays $816 a month including utilities, and 22.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hardy County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $166,300±$12,533 | $162,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $816±$59 | $872 | −$113 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 22.9%±8.9 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,193±$84 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.3%±3.7 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,284±18 | 861,325 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.0%±3.1 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.6%±3.3 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.7%±3.3 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.8%±1.0 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.7%±2.4 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 Hardy County building?
Builders took permits for 66 new housing units across Hardy County in 2025 (66 single-family), 4.6 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 Hardy County get to work?
75.3% of Hardy County's workers drive alone and 9.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.3%.
| Measure | Hardy County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.0%±2.9 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3%±2.1 pts | 5.4% | +4.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 75.3%±4.9 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.1%±3.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.5%±1.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.4%±1.8 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.1%±4.1 pts | 9.1% | +7.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.7 min±2.9 | 26.6 min | +5.5 min |
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 Hardy County's census tracts?
Hardy County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $45,860 (Tract 9702.01) to $67,738 (Tract 9702.02).
| Tract 9701.0154031970101 | 2,660±302 | $49,577 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9701.0254031970102 | 2,336±370 | $62,000 |
| Tract 9702.0154031970201 | 2,352±329 | $45,860 |
| Tract 9702.0254031970202 | 2,432±399 | $67,738 |
| Tract 970354031970300 | 4,463±486 | $46,690 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hardy County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 37th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 8th of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 43rd of 55 |
| Median household income | 43rd of 55 |
| Median home value | 12th of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 21st of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 25th of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37th of 55 |
| Median age | 13th 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 Hardy 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.