County · West Virginia
Ritchie County, West Virginia
Ritchie County, West Virginia. Ritchie County had 8,034 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.9% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 6 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 54085.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,034
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,444 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,286
Median household income
$50,582
±$4,402 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$115,900
±$8,350 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$579
±$154 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Ritchie County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,444 residents in Ritchie County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,034 for July 1, 2025, down 4.9% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 8,286 over 452 square miles of land.
| Measure | Ritchie County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,286 | 1,778,373 | −1,558 |
| Households | 3,389±170 | 728,655 | −660 |
| Average household size | 2.43±0.12 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,176±16 | 861,325 | −1,722 |
Ritchie County's population since 2000
From 10,343 in 2000 to 8,034 in 2025: down 22.3%. 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 Ritchie County?
Ritchie County holds 6 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Harrisville with 1,511 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Harrisville | 1,631 | $47,768 |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsboro | 1,054 | $51,327 |
| EllenboroGEOID 5424844 | 221 | $52,917 |
| CairoGEOID 5412124 | 176 | $65,500 |
| PullmanGEOID 5465956 | 135 | $53,618 |
| AuburnGEOID 5403364 | 79 | 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 Ritchie County?
The median resident of Ritchie County is 46.1 years old; 19.9% are under 18 and 23.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 96.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 1.4%.
| Measure | Ritchie County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.1±0.5 | 42.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.9%±0.8 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.0%±0.4 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.7%±1.1 pts | 2.1% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 96.5%±0.1 pts | 89.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±1.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.4%±1.0 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.4%±1.8 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0%±2.0 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 25.6%±3.9 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.8%±2.9 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.3%±3.3 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.4%±3.3 pts | 24.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 2.9%±1.3 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.4%±0.3 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 Ritchie County earn?
Half of Ritchie County's 3,389 households earn less than $50,582 a year (±$4,402), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $53,630 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 21.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ritchie County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,582±$4,402 | $59,608 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $67,031±$5,764 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,681±$2,328 | $34,203 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 21.6%±4.7 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.9%±10.9 pts | 21.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.9%±3.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.7%±4.3 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 Ritchie County?
Owners occupy 84.2% of Ritchie County's occupied homes and renters 15.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $115,900 by its owner (±$8,350). The median renter pays $579 a month including utilities, and 42.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ritchie County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $115,900±$8,350 | $162,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $579±$154 | $872 | −$169 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.9%±16.1 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,038±$65 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.2%±3.6 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,176±16 | 861,325 | −1,722 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.2%±9.3 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.2%±3.8 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 23.2%±3.8 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.8%±1.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.0%±3.3 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 Ritchie County building?
Builders took permits for 32 new housing units across Ritchie County in 2025 (32 single-family), 4.0 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 Ritchie County get to work?
77.0% of Ritchie County's workers drive alone and 9.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.4%.
| Measure | Ritchie County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 47.7%±3.7 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.4%±1.5 pts | 5.4% | −3.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.0%±5.9 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.9%±5.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.8%±3.3 pts | 9.1% | +6.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.0 min±4.8 | 26.6 min | +6.3 min |
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 Ritchie County's census tracts?
Ritchie County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,637 (Tract 9624) to $61,875 (Tract 9623).
| Tract 962354085962300 | 3,297±315 | $61,875 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 962454085962400 | 2,349±353 | $36,637 |
| Tract 962554085962500 | 2,640±305 | $48,839 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Ritchie County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 44th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 40th of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 51st of 55 |
| Median household income | 38th of 55 |
| Median home value | 42nd of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 53rd of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 13th of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42nd 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 Ritchie 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.