County · West Virginia
Lewis County, West Virginia
Lewis County, West Virginia. Lewis County had 16,394 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 2 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 54041.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,394
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,033 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,740
Median household income
$56,477
±$4,510 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$151,800
±$10,466 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$730
±$40 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Lewis County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 17,033 residents in Lewis County. The Census Bureau estimates 16,394 for July 1, 2025, down 3.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,740 over 387 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lewis County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,740 | 1,778,373 | +574 |
| Households | 6,967±264 | 728,655 | +393 |
| Average household size | 2.37±0.09 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,219±30 | 861,325 | +253 |
Lewis County's population since 2000
From 16,919 in 2000 to 16,394 in 2025: down 3.1%. 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 Lewis County?
Lewis County holds 2 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Weston with 3,736 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Lewis County?
The median resident of Lewis County is 43.0 years old; 21.7% are under 18 and 21.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 7.2%.
| Measure | Lewis County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0±0.7 | 42.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.7%±0.5 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.1%±0.3 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% | 2.1% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.0%±2.2 pts | 89.7% | −6.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 3.1% | +0.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±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%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.2%±2.1 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.5%±1.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 16.2%±2.1 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.5%±1.5 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.5%±2.4 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.9%±2.8 pts | 24.1% | +4.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.0%±1.3 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.4 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 Lewis County earn?
Half of Lewis County's 6,967 households earn less than $56,477 a year (±$4,510), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $49,115 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,362 after inflation. 16.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lewis County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,477±$4,510 | $59,608 | +$7,362 |
| Mean household income | $80,876±$7,761 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,362±$2,959 | $34,203 | +$5,047 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.1%±3.1 pts | 16.7% | −5.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.9%±6.2 pts | 21.5% | −13.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.3%±3.6 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.2%±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 Lewis County?
Owners occupy 72.2% of Lewis County's occupied homes and renters 27.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $151,800 by its owner (±$10,466). The median renter pays $730 a month including utilities, and 34.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lewis County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $151,800±$10,466 | $162,600 | +$23,562 |
| Median gross rent | $730±$40 | $872 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.7%±9.8 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,081±$68 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.2%±3.7 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,219±30 | 861,325 | +253 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.2%±6.5 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.1%±3.6 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 20.4%±3.5 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±1.0 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.9%±2.8 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 Lewis County building?
Builders took permits for 5 new housing units across Lewis County in 2025 (5 single-family), 0.3 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 Lewis County get to work?
80.2% of Lewis County's workers drive alone and 5.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.6%.
| Measure | Lewis County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.0%±2.2 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.6%±2.8 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.2%±3.5 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.2%±2.4 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.6%±1.4 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.5%±2.0 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.5 min±2.7 | 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 Lewis County's census tracts?
Lewis County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $50,363 (Tract 9675) to $67,847 (Tract 9672).
| Tract 967254041967200 | 3,691±423 | $67,847 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 967354041967300 | 4,348±433 | $66,694 |
| Tract 967454041967400 | 2,404±328 | $50,933 |
| Tract 967554041967500 | 3,010±361 | $50,363 |
| Tract 967654041967600 | 3,287±494 | $56,836 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lewis County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 34th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 27th of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 30th of 55 |
| Median household income | 27th of 55 |
| Median home value | 23rd of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 33rd of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 32nd of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25th of 55 |
| Median age | 43rd 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 Lewis 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.