Census Tract 9542
Open-data reference.
McDowell County, West Virginia · Welch GEOID: 54047954200
Tract Snapshot: Census Tract 9542, McDowell County, WV
Census Tract 9542 is located in McDowell County, West Virginia, inside the municipal boundary of Welch, and contains a population of approximately 1,707 residents per Census ACS 2023 five-year estimates. Median household income here is $29,491 — a figure the Census Bureau classifies as "Low Income Area" when compared with the 2023 national median near $77,000. Median gross rent sits at $440 per month, a useful benchmark for renters comparing local housing costs against nearby neighborhoods. Typical owner-occupied homes are valued around $27,400. The tract's poverty rate is 25.1%, measured as the share of residents with income below the federal poverty threshold.
Census tracts are small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county designed by the U.S. Census Bureau to contain roughly 1,200 to 8,000 residents, with boundaries held stable across decades so researchers can track neighborhoods over time. Tract-level figures from the American Community Survey are five-year rolling averages rather than snapshots — that smoothing reduces year-to-year noise in small areas but also means the numbers you see here describe the period ending in the reference year rather than a single moment. For context, we link back to the parent city and state pages where you can compare this tract against its neighbors.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 5-Year 2023 · GEOID: 54047954200 · Note: ACS margins of error widen at tract level
Location
- Census Tract
- Tract 9542
- GEOID (FIPS)
- 54047954200
- County
- McDowell County
- State
- West Virginia
- Nearest City
- Welch
- Coordinates
- 37.263836, -81.598742
Income & Housing
Census ACS 5-Year 2023 estimates for this tract
| Metric | Value | Context | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $29,491 | Low Income Area vs. US ~$77,000 | ACS 2023 5-Year |
| Median Gross Rent | $440/mo | Includes utilities in estimate | ACS 2023 5-Year |
| Median Home Value | $27,400 | Owner-occupied units only | ACS 2023 5-Year |
| Poverty Rate | 25.1% | Below federal poverty threshold | ACS 2023 5-Year |
Explore More Data for Welch, WV
What do people ask about Welch, WV?
What is the population of Census Tract 9542? +
Census Tract 9542 in McDowell County, West Virginia has a population of approximately 1,707, based on U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.
What is the median household income in Census Tract 9542? +
The median household income in Census Tract 9542 (McDowell County, WV) is $29,491, based on ACS 5-Year 2023 data. This is considered "Low Income Area" relative to the national median of approximately $77,000.
What is the median rent in this area? +
The estimated median gross rent in Census Tract 9542 is $440 per month, according to Census ACS 2023 data.
What is the poverty rate in Census Tract 9542? +
Approximately 25.1% of residents in Census Tract 9542 have income below the federal poverty threshold, based on Census ACS 2023 data.
Related Guides
- Best Cities for Families in 2026 — How to evaluate safety, schools, and affordability
- Understanding Cost of Living — Compare income, housing, and poverty data across cities
- How to Read Census Data — Understand margins of error and ACS estimates
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates 2023. Census tract boundaries and GEOID from 2023 TIGER/Line files. Population and income data may reflect margins of error for smaller tracts. Last updated: 2026 U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates 2023. Census tract boundaries and GEOID from 2023 TIGER/Line files. Population and income data may reflect margins of error for smaller tracts. Last updated: 2026
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.