County · West Virginia
Wetzel County, West Virginia
Wetzel County, West Virginia. Wetzel County had 13,734 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.0% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 8 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 54103.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
13,734
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,442 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,078
Median household income
$56,836
±$5,601 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$107,900
±$10,672 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$688
±$61 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Wetzel County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,442 residents in Wetzel County. The Census Bureau estimates 13,734 for July 1, 2025, down 5.0% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,078 over 358 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wetzel County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,078 | 1,778,373 | −1,358 |
| Households | 6,113±211 | 728,655 | +351 |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.08 | 2.37 | −0.37 |
| Housing units | 7,297±26 | 861,325 | −862 |
Wetzel County's population since 2000
From 17,693 in 2000 to 13,734 in 2025: down 22.4%. 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.
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 Wetzel County?
Wetzel County holds 8 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is New Martinsville with 5,039 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| New Martinsville | 5,204 | $60,946 |
|---|---|---|
| Paden City | 2,541 | $66,101 |
| Pine Grove | 363 | $43,333 |
| ReaderGEOID 5467252 | 278 | $63,942 |
| HundredGEOID 5439340 | 255 | $45,938 |
| JacksonburgGEOID 5440636 | 114 | not published |
| SmithfieldGEOID 5474788 | 103 | not published |
| LittletonGEOID 5447788 | 103 | 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 Wetzel County?
The median resident of Wetzel County is 45.3 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 22.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.1%.
| Measure | Wetzel County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.3±0.8 | 42.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.2%±0.6 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.9%±0.3 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% | 2.1% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.7%±1.6 pts | 89.7% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.1%±1.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.6%±1.7 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 21.6%±2.6 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.7%±1.4 pts | 6.0% | −2.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.1%±2.1 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.1%±2.5 pts | 24.1% | +5.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.8%±1.9 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.4 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 Wetzel County earn?
Half of Wetzel County's 6,113 households earn less than $56,836 a year (±$5,601), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $53,052 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wetzel County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,836±$5,601 | $59,608 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $73,103±$4,855 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,337±$1,905 | $34,203 | +$3,590 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.0%±3.9 pts | 16.7% | −6.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.0%±7.1 pts | 21.5% | −17.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.9%±3.8 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.4%±3.2 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 Wetzel County?
Owners occupy 83.2% of Wetzel County's occupied homes and renters 16.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $107,900 by its owner (±$10,672). The median renter pays $688 a month including utilities, and 27.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wetzel County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $107,900±$10,672 | $162,600 | −$19,600 |
| Median gross rent | $688±$61 | $872 | −$177 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.4%±8.7 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,096±$50 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.2%±2.8 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,297±26 | 861,325 | −862 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8%±1.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.5%±4.1 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.0%±2.8 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.5%±2.0 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 26.4%±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 Wetzel County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Wetzel 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 Wetzel County get to work?
83.8% of Wetzel County's workers drive alone and 4.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Wetzel County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 47.9%±2.8 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±1.7 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 83.8%±4.0 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.3%±3.3 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.1%±1.4 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.0%±2.1 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.4 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 Wetzel County's census tracts?
Wetzel County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $48,125 (Tract 304) to $71,618 (Tract 307).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Wetzel County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 38th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 41st of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 33rd of 55 |
| Median household income | 25th of 55 |
| Median home value | 45th of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 41st of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 33rd of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33rd of 55 |
| Median age | 25th 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 Wetzel 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.