County · West Virginia
Jackson County, West Virginia
Jackson County, West Virginia. Jackson County had 27,450 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.2% since 2020, in line with West Virginia (−1.5%). It holds 3 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 54035.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
27,450
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 27,791 · ACS 2020-2024: 27,705
Median household income
$58,845
±$8,665 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$157,200
±$7,880 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$716
±$77 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Jackson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 27,791 residents in Jackson County. The Census Bureau estimates 27,450 for July 1, 2025, down 1.2% since 2020, in line with West Virginia (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 27,705 over 464 square miles of land.
| Measure | Jackson County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 27,705 | 1,778,373 | −1,202 |
| Households | 11,515±295 | 728,655 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.39±0.06 | 2.37 | −0.14 |
| Housing units | 12,867±37 | 861,325 | −541 |
Jackson County's population since 2000
From 28,000 in 2000 to 27,450 in 2025: down 2.0%. 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 Jackson County?
Jackson County holds 3 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Ravenswood with 3,790 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Ravenswood | 3,865 | $34,241 |
|---|---|---|
| Ripley | 3,079 | $41,518 |
| CottagevilleGEOID 5418124 | 114 | 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 Jackson County?
The median resident of Jackson County is 43.4 years old; 21.4% are under 18 and 21.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.3%.
| Measure | Jackson County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.4±0.8 | 42.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.4%±0.5 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.2%±0.3 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1% | 2.1% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.6%±0.6 pts | 89.7% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±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 | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.3%±0.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1%±1.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.2%±0.8 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.8%±1.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 22.1%±2.3 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.2%±2.0 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.6%±2.0 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.6%±2.7 pts | 24.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.7%±2.2 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±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 Jackson County earn?
Half of Jackson County's 11,515 households earn less than $58,845 a year (±$8,665), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $58,873 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 18.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Jackson County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,845±$8,665 | $59,608 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $81,933±$7,344 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,967±$3,041 | $34,203 | +$3,780 |
| People below the poverty line | 18.5%±3.0 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.2%±6.8 pts | 21.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.2%±3.5 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 77.1%±3.0 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 Jackson County?
Owners occupy 78.6% of Jackson County's occupied homes and renters 21.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $157,200 by its owner (±$7,880). The median renter pays $716 a month including utilities, and 42.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Jackson County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $157,200±$7,880 | $162,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $716±$77 | $872 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.0%±11.8 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,101±$77 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.6%±3.5 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,867±37 | 861,325 | −541 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.9 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.5%±3.9 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 19.8%±3.5 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.2%±1.9 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 Jackson County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Jackson 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 Jackson County get to work?
78.7% of Jackson County's workers drive alone and 10.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.1%.
| Measure | Jackson County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 48.9%±2.8 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1%±1.7 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.7%±4.2 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.9%±2.4 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.4%±1.8 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.5%±2.9 pts | 9.1% | +7.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.6 min±2.0 | 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 Jackson County's census tracts?
Jackson County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $38,287 (Tract 9633) to $76,806 (Tract 9634).
| Tract 963254035963200 | 3,770±670 | $62,525 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 963354035963300 | 5,130±634 | $38,287 |
| Tract 963454035963400 | 3,970±526 | $76,806 |
| Tract 963554035963500 | 3,202±561 | $68,920 |
| Tract 963654035963600 | 4,430±355 | $44,901 |
| Tract 9637.0154035963701 | 3,151±442 | $71,329 |
| Tract 9637.0254035963702 | 4,052±613 | $60,728 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Jackson County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 20th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 15th of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 23rd of 55 |
| Median household income | 19th of 55 |
| Median home value | 19th of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 35th of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 24th of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23rd of 55 |
| Median age | 41st 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 Jackson 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.