County · West Virginia
Pendleton County, West Virginia
Pendleton County, West Virginia. Pendleton County had 5,826 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 2 places (1 city, village or borough and 1 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 54071.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,826
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,143 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,043
Median household income
$64,931
±$4,450 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$183,800
±$27,233 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$770
±$36 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Pendleton County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,143 residents in Pendleton County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,826 for July 1, 2025, down 5.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,043 over 696 square miles of land.
| Measure | Pendleton County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,043 | 1,778,373 | −958 |
| Households | 2,342±143 | 728,655 | −832 |
| Average household size | 2.54±0.15 | 2.37 | +0.38 |
| Housing units | 3,695±14 | 861,325 | −1,528 |
Pendleton County's population since 2000
From 8,196 in 2000 to 5,826 in 2025: down 28.9%. 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 Pendleton County?
Pendleton County holds 2 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Franklin with 527 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| FranklinGEOID 5429044 | 495 | $63,889 |
|---|---|---|
| BrandywineGEOID 5409868 | 178 | 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 Pendleton County?
The median resident of Pendleton County is 50.7 years old; 18.8% are under 18 and 29.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.2%.
| Measure | Pendleton County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.7±0.7 | 42.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.8%±0.3 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 29.8%±1.0 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.2%±1.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.4%±0.6 pts | 89.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±1.3 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 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%±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.6%±1.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.9%±2.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.3%±2.8 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.8%±2.0 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.2%±2.8 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.5%±3.9 pts | 24.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.1%±2.3 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5%±0.6 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 Pendleton County earn?
Half of Pendleton County's 2,342 households earn less than $64,931 a year (±$4,450), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $52,073 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,858 after inflation. 16.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pendleton County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,931±$4,450 | $59,608 | +$12,858 |
| Mean household income | $73,865±$6,520 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,377±$3,939 | $34,203 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.6%±4.2 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.3%±9.4 pts | 21.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.5%±3.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 79.3%±5.0 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 Pendleton County?
Owners occupy 84.9% of Pendleton County's occupied homes and renters 15.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $183,800 by its owner (±$27,233). The median renter pays $770 a month including utilities, and 25.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pendleton County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $183,800±$27,233 | $162,600 | +$32,671 |
| Median gross rent | $770±$36 | $872 | +$139 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.9%±15.8 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $981±$122 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.9%±4.3 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,695±14 | 861,325 | −1,528 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 19.4%±10.8 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 83.1%±3.6 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.8%±2.8 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.0%±3.4 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 Pendleton County building?
Builders took permits for 23 new housing units across Pendleton County in 2025 (23 single-family), 3.9 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 Pendleton County get to work?
81.6% of Pendleton County's workers drive alone and 9.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.3%.
| Measure | Pendleton County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 51.3%±3.3 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3%±3.2 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.6%±3.6 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.0%±2.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.4%±1.8 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.7%±3.4 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.6 min±3.2 | 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 Pendleton County's census tracts?
Pendleton County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $49,375 (Tract 9706) to $69,875 (Tract 9705).
| Tract 970454071970400 | 1,448±245 | $69,412 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970554071970500 | 2,993±286 | $69,875 |
| Tract 970654071970600 | 1,602±221 | $49,375 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Pendleton County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 54th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 44th of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 54th of 55 |
| Median household income | 8th of 55 |
| Median home value | 7th of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 29th of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 29th of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27th of 55 |
| Median age | 2nd 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 Pendleton 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.