County · West Virginia
Nicholas County, West Virginia
Nicholas County, West Virginia. Nicholas County had 23,848 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 9 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 7 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 54067.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
23,848
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 24,604 · ACS 2020-2024: 24,277
Median household income
$54,639
±$5,254 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$121,600
±$13,727 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$686
±$221 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Nicholas County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 24,604 residents in Nicholas County. The Census Bureau estimates 23,848 for July 1, 2025, down 3.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 24,277 over 647 square miles of land.
| Measure | Nicholas County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 24,277 | 1,778,373 | −801 |
| Households | 9,466±375 | 728,655 | −603 |
| Average household size | 2.55±0.10 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,550±48 | 861,325 | −598 |
Nicholas County's population since 2000
From 26,562 in 2000 to 23,848 in 2025: down 10.2%. 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 Nicholas County?
Nicholas County holds 9 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 7 census-designated places. The largest is Summersville with 3,297 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Summersville | 3,431 | $56,571 |
|---|---|---|
| Craigsville | 2,173 | $39,943 |
| Richwood | 1,660 | $30,833 |
| NettieGEOID 5458180 | 483 | not published |
| DixieGEOID 5421628 | 227 | not published |
| Birch RiverGEOID 5407756 | 86 | not published |
| TiogaGEOID 5480476 | 79 | $86,056 |
| BelvaGEOID 5406052 | 78 | not published |
| FenwickGEOID 5427196 | 69 | 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 Nicholas County?
The median resident of Nicholas County is 46.1 years old; 21.1% are under 18 and 23.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 96.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 1.8%. 1.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Nicholas County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.1±0.5 | 42.7 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 21.1%±0.6 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.9%±0.3 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 2.1% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 96.3%±0.1 pts | 89.7% | −0.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 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%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.6%±1.0 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6%±1.4 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 22.0%±2.2 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.8%±1.7 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.3%±2.1 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.3%±3.3 pts | 24.1% | +7.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.3%±2.7 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.7 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 Nicholas County earn?
Half of Nicholas County's 9,466 households earn less than $54,639 a year (±$5,254), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $49,334 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Nicholas County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,639±$5,254 | $59,608 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,713±$8,058 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,265±$3,212 | $34,203 | +$4,777 |
| People below the poverty line | 15.4%±2.9 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.6%±5.9 pts | 21.5% | −12.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.3%±3.5 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.2%±3.4 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 Nicholas County?
Owners occupy 82.2% of Nicholas County's occupied homes and renters 17.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $121,600 by its owner (±$13,727). The median renter pays $686 a month including utilities, and 26.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Nicholas County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $121,600±$13,727 | $162,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $686±$221 | $872 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 26.0%±9.3 pts | 39.0% | −18.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,125±$87 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.2%±3.8 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,550±48 | 861,325 | −598 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.1%±4.8 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.3%±3.3 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 20.7%±2.8 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.9%±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 Nicholas County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Nicholas County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.1 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 Nicholas County get to work?
79.2% of Nicholas County's workers drive alone and 4.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.9%.
| Measure | Nicholas County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 46.7%±3.5 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9%±2.2 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.2%±4.8 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.4%±4.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.0%±1.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 0.8%±0.8 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.8%±1.8 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.1 min±3.6 | 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 Nicholas County's census tracts?
Nicholas County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $38,304 (Tract 9505) to $77,017 (Tract 9502.02).
| Tract 950154067950100 | 3,018±657 | $59,345 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9502.0154067950201 | 2,833±445 | $52,450 |
| Tract 9502.0254067950202 | 3,857±510 | $77,017 |
| Tract 950354067950300 | 850±334 | $72,955 |
| Tract 950454067950400 | 4,746±733 | $57,982 |
| Tract 950554067950500 | 1,349±358 | $38,304 |
| Tract 950654067950600 | 4,328±592 | $39,494 |
| Tract 950754067950700 | 3,296±538 | $58,420 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Nicholas County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 24th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 21st of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 34th of 55 |
| Median household income | 29th of 55 |
| Median home value | 38th of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 42nd of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 36th of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14th of 55 |
| Median age | 20th 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 Nicholas 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.