County · West Virginia
Upshur County, West Virginia
Upshur County, West Virginia. Upshur County had 23,758 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.3% since 2020, a smaller fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 4 places (1 city, village or borough and 3 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 54097.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
23,758
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 23,816 · ACS 2020-2024: 23,712
Median household income
$54,338
±$2,364 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$170,800
±$10,091 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$886
±$98 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Upshur County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 23,816 residents in Upshur County. The Census Bureau estimates 23,758 for July 1, 2025, down 0.3% since 2020, a smaller fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 23,712 over 355 square miles of land.
| Measure | Upshur County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 23,712 | 1,778,373 | −790 |
| Households | 9,557±291 | 728,655 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.34±0.07 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,281±41 | 861,325 | −117 |
Upshur County's population since 2000
From 23,404 in 2000 to 23,758 in 2025: up 1.5%. 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 Upshur County?
Upshur County holds 4 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Buckhannon with 5,054 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Buckhannon | 5,186 | $54,615 |
|---|---|---|
| HinklevilleGEOID 5437612 | 366 | $54,167 |
| Rock CaveGEOID 5469244 | 319 | $52,202 |
| AdrianGEOID 5400460 | 183 | 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 Upshur County?
The median resident of Upshur County is 42.3 years old; 20.2% are under 18 and 21.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.8%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.3%. 0.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Upshur County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3±0.6 | 42.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.2%±0.4 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.8%±0.2 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% | 2.1% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.8%±1.3 pts | 89.7% | −4.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.3 pts | 3.1% | −0.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 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%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3%±1.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.9 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.5%±0.6 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.5%±1.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.5%±1.8 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.3%±1.7 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.5%±2.2 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.2%±2.4 pts | 24.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.7%±1.3 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±0.9 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 Upshur County earn?
Half of Upshur County's 9,557 households earn less than $54,338 a year (±$2,364), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $49,624 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,714 after inflation. 19.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Upshur County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,338±$2,364 | $59,608 | +$4,714 |
| Mean household income | $71,843±$5,300 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,013±$2,135 | $34,203 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.2%±2.8 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.9%±5.9 pts | 21.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.0%±2.8 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.1%±2.9 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 Upshur County?
Owners occupy 80.7% of Upshur County's occupied homes and renters 19.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $170,800 by its owner (±$10,091). The median renter pays $886 a month including utilities, and 38.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Upshur County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $170,800±$10,091 | $162,600 | +$24,347 |
| Median gross rent | $886±$98 | $872 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.2%±8.9 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,158±$71 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.7%±2.7 pts | 74.9% | +7.0 pts |
| Housing units | 11,281±41 | 861,325 | −117 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.2%±1.6 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6%±3.4 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.9%±3.2 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 20.8%±3.0 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 14.4%±2.5 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 Upshur County building?
Builders took permits for 30 new housing units across Upshur County in 2025 (28 single-family), 1.3 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 Upshur County get to work?
80.6% of Upshur County's workers drive alone and 11.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.7%.
| Measure | Upshur County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.2%±2.5 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7%±1.5 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.6%±3.6 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.4%±1.3 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.9%±1.8 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.0%±3.0 pts | 9.1% | +7.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.1 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 Upshur County's census tracts?
Upshur County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $41,667 (Tract 9668) to $68,269 (Tract 9667).
| Tract 966654097966600 | 4,718±521 | $52,101 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 966754097966700 | 3,275±320 | $68,269 |
| Tract 966854097966800 | 3,823±432 | $41,667 |
| Tract 966954097966900 | 2,962±413 | $60,652 |
| Tract 967054097967000 | 4,653±524 | $58,151 |
| Tract 967154097967100 | 4,281±570 | $53,260 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Upshur County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 25th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 9th of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 21st of 55 |
| Median household income | 30th of 55 |
| Median home value | 10th of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 11th of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 19th of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30th of 55 |
| Median age | 48th 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 Upshur 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.