County · West Virginia

Raleigh County, West Virginia

Raleigh County, West Virginia. Raleigh County had 71,775 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 24 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 19 census-designated) and 17 census tracts. GEOID 54081.

Raleigh County is one of the 2 counties of the Beckley, WV metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

71,775

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 74,591 · ACS 2020-2024: 73,195

Median household income

$52,150

±$3,933 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608

Median home value

$150,900

±$8,969 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600

Median gross rent

$902

±$44 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872

How many people live in Raleigh County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 74,591 residents in Raleigh County. The Census Bureau estimates 71,775 for July 1, 2025, down 3.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 73,195 over 605 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 −587 (73,817)
2021→2022 −959 (72,858)
2022→2023 −354 (72,504)
2023→2024 −319 (72,185)
2024→2025 −410 (71,775)

Raleigh County in West Virginia. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Raleigh County	West Virginia	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	73,195	1,778,373	−2,057
Households	29,004±678	728,655	−2,199
Average household size	2.41±0.06	2.37	+0.09
Housing units	34,604±36	861,325	−1,573

Raleigh County's population since 2000

From 79,220 in 2000 to 71,775 in 2025: down 9.4%. 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.

2000 Census 79,220
2005 (estimate) 78,341
2010 Census 78,859
2015 (estimate) 77,416
2020 Census 74,591
2025 (estimate) 71,775

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 Raleigh County?

Raleigh County holds 24 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 19 census-designated places. The largest is Beckley with 16,373 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Raleigh County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Beckley	city	17,286	16,818±27	$45,826	$158,000	28.9%	100%
Shady Spring	CDP	3,169	3,381±783	$67,407	$188,900	13.8%	100%
Crab OrchardGEOID 5418508	CDP	2,416	1,139±365	$43,792	$168,200	16.6%	100%
BradleyGEOID 5409676	CDP	1,928	1,424±492	$43,641	$84,700	11.8%	100%
Coal CityGEOID 5416516	CDP	1,689	724±424	$20,491	$10,000 or less	23.8%	100%
DanielsGEOID 5420164	CDP	1,654	1,489±494	$60,278	$171,300	24.2%	100%
MacArthur	CDP	1,376	1,493±463	$35,650	$160,800	36.4%	100%
ProsperityGEOID 5465836	CDP	1,345	1,389±485	$85,094	$141,200	11.4%	100%
Mabscott	town	1,341	1,396±361	$57,813	$159,700	16.7%	100%
SpragueGEOID 5475868	CDP	1,289	952±465	$64,875	$87,400	3.8%	100%
Stanaford	CDP	1,215	1,449±485	$44,219	$162,800	44.5%	100%
Sophia	town	1,130	1,528±527	$36,080	$116,900	38.0%	100%
BeaverGEOID 5405260	CDP	1,129	695±394	$30,870	$105,200	14.5%	100%
Piney ViewGEOID 5463988	CDP	902	986±355	$66,422	$98,800	1.5%	100%
GhentGEOID 5430724	CDP	582	290±206	$109,692	not published	0.0%	100%
BoltGEOID 5408956	CDP	518	195±218	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
LesterGEOID 5446468	town	338	377±194	not published	$89,400	41.4%	100%
EcclesGEOID 5423644	CDP	334	64±74	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
RaleighGEOID 5466748	CDP	245	325±309	$47,788	$46,000	0.3%	100%
Glen WhiteGEOID 5432068	CDP	245	193±179	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
DorothyGEOID 5421964	CDP	207	115±159	not published	not published	12.2%	100%
ColcordGEOID 5416972	CDP	148	201±215	not published	not published	71.1%	100%
RhodellGEOID 5467996	town	141	137±89	not published	not published	44.5%	100%
HelenGEOID 5436292	CDP	137	0±13	not published	not published	–	100%

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 Raleigh County?

The median resident of Raleigh County is 42.9 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 22.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 6.7%. 1.5% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Raleigh County	West Virginia	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	42.9±0.3	42.7	+0.7
Under 18 years	21.0%±0.1 pts	20.0%	–
65 years and over	22.1%±0.2 pts	21.0%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.8%	2.1%	+0.2 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	86.9%±0.3 pts	89.7%	no clear change
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	6.7%±0.5 pts	3.1%	−1.0 pts
Asian alone, not Hispanic	0.9%±0.1 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	0.0%±0.1 pts	0.0%	–
Two or more races, not Hispanic	3.5%±0.6 pts	3.9%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.2%±0.2 pts	0.3%	–
Born outside the United States	1.5%±0.4 pts	1.8%	no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	2.7%±0.6 pts	2.5%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	6.4%±0.8 pts	7.4%	–
With a disability	22.8%±1.6 pts	19.1%	–
No health insurance coverage	4.2%±0.9 pts	6.0%	−2.6 pts
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	85.9%±1.8 pts	89.3%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	22.5%±1.7 pts	24.1%	+4.1 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	8.3%±1.1 pts	9.7%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	1.9%±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 Raleigh County earn?

Half of Raleigh County's 29,004 households earn less than $52,150 a year (±$3,933), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $53,840 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.8% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Raleigh County	West Virginia	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$52,150±$3,933	$59,608	no clear change
Mean household income	$70,624±$3,446	$81,190	–
Per capita income	$28,797±$1,343	$34,203	−$2,002
People below the poverty line	22.8%±2.8 pts	16.7%	+4.2 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line	31.8%±5.6 pts	21.5%	no clear change
Households receiving SNAP	19.3%±2.1 pts	17.3%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	76.3%±2.4 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 Raleigh County?

Owners occupy 75.3% of Raleigh County's occupied homes and renters 24.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $150,900 by its owner (±$8,969). The median renter pays $902 a month including utilities, and 45.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Raleigh County	West Virginia	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$150,900±$8,969	$162,600	+$17,124
Median gross rent	$902±$44	$872	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	45.5%±6.2 pts	39.0%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,209±$49	$1,255	–
Owner-occupied homes	75.3%±2.0 pts	74.9%	no clear change
Housing units	34,604±36	861,325	−1,573
Homeowner vacancy rate	1.5%±0.9 pts	1.2%	–
Rental vacancy rate	6.3%±2.6 pts	6.7%	–
Single-family detached homes	73.3%±2.2 pts	70.9%	–
Mobile homes	16.2%±2.0 pts	13.6%	–
Built 2020 or later	0.2%±0.2 pts	1.0%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	8.7%±1.4 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 Raleigh County building?

Builders took permits for 50 new housing units across Raleigh County in 2025 (50 single-family), 0.7 per 1,000 residents.

2019 39 units
2020 43 units
2021 71 units
2022 67 units
2023 65 units
2024 41 units
2025 50 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Raleigh County get to work?

82.3% of Raleigh County's workers drive alone and 8.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.0%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Raleigh County	West Virginia	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	48.0%±1.9 pts	53.8%	–
Unemployment rate	5.0%±1.3 pts	5.4%	−3.1 pts
Drove alone to work	82.3%±2.6 pts	78.1%	–
Carpooled	6.6%±1.9 pts	8.5%	–
Public transportation	0.1%±0.2 pts	0.5%	–
Walked	0.9%±0.4 pts	2.5%	–
Worked from home	8.4%±1.7 pts	9.1%	+3.8 pts
Mean travel time to work	23.6 min±1.4	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 Raleigh County's census tracts?

Raleigh County is divided into 17 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,283 (Tract 4) to $84,282 (Tract 8.02).

Census tracts of Raleigh County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 254081000200	Beckley (95%)	3,352	3,475±614	$41,183	$166,500	$969	37.7%
Tract 354081000300	Beckley (64%)	3,948	3,629±439	$42,813	$102,000	$870	20.2%
Tract 454081000400	Beckley (89%)	3,318	3,008±551	$35,283	$121,900	$877	32.7%
Tract 554081000500	Beckley (50%)	4,428	4,201±706	$73,163	$192,800	$871	11.0%
Tract 654081000600	Beckley (77%)	4,410	4,248±503	$45,766	$154,600	$803	31.5%
Tract 754081000700	Mabscott (47%)	2,937	2,975±504	$36,670	$160,000	$897	28.4%
Tract 8.0254081000802	–	6,233	7,024±797	$84,282	$196,600	$773	6.0%
Tract 8.0354081000803	Shady Spring (44%)	4,714	4,694±539	$79,333	$224,600	$949	5.7%
Tract 8.0454081000804	Beaver (38%)	5,193	4,802±752	$50,707	$154,900	not published	19.4%
Tract 954081000900	Coal City (8%)	5,469	4,948±902	$51,836	$111,100	$961	20.5%
Tract 10.0154081001001	Crab Orchard (49%)	4,745	4,099±776	$60,323	$164,000	$1,022	17.5%
Tract 10.0254081001002	Sophia (46%)	2,789	2,768±496	$36,263	$113,000	$875	40.7%
Tract 1154081001100	Lester (16%)	5,317	4,309±774	$41,336	$142,500	$653	20.5%
Tract 1254081001200	Dorothy (6%)	4,109	4,159±831	$40,473	$88,500	$610	36.3%
Tract 1354081001300	Eccles (14%)	4,643	4,936±859	$72,019	$184,400	$941	19.0%
Tract 1454081001400	Bradley (33%)	4,919	5,369±733	$41,574	$134,500	$934	30.2%
Tract 1554081001500	Beckley (33%)	4,067	4,551±594	$51,364	$160,100	$784	29.2%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Raleigh County compare with West Virginia's other counties?

Raleigh County's rank among West Virginia's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	6th of 55
Growth 2020-2025	29th of 55
Residents per square mile	14th of 55
Median household income	36th of 55
Median home value	25th of 55
Median gross rent	10th of 55
Poverty rate	8th of 55
Bachelor's degree or higher	16th of 55
Median age	44th of 55

Every county in West Virginia

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 Raleigh 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.