Beckley, WV Metro Area

Beckley, WV · Metro Area

112,714Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 2 counties. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $52,620
Median home value: $129,600
Land area: 1,267 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Raleigh County, WV	Central	73,195	$52,150	$150,900
Fayette County, WV	Central	39,519	$53,194	$105,800

Largest cities and towns

47 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Beckley, WV	City	16,818	$45,826
Oak Hill, WV	City	7,937	$52,466
Shady Spring, WV	CDP	3,381	$67,407
Fayetteville, WV	Town	2,817	$67,623
Sophia, WV	Town	1,528	$36,080
Montgomery, WV	City	1,516	$27,679
Mount Hope, WV	City	1,504	$34,375
MacArthur, WV	CDP	1,493	$35,650
Daniels, WV	CDP	1,489	$60,278
Stanaford, WV	CDP	1,449	$44,219
Bradley, WV	CDP	1,424	$43,641
Mabscott, WV	Town	1,396	$57,813
Prosperity, WV	CDP	1,389	$85,094
Ansted, WV	Town	1,140	$38,375
Crab Orchard, WV	CDP	1,139	$43,792
Piney View, WV	CDP	986	$66,422
Boomer, WV	CDP	974	$29,048
Coal City, WV	CDP	724	$20,491
Glen White, WV	CDP	718	—
Smithers, WV	City	712	$45,417
Beaver, WV	CDP	695	$30,870
Scarbro, WV	CDP	693	—
Bolt, WV	CDP	692	$66,020
Meadow Bridge, WV	Town	504	$43,750
Powellton, WV	CDP	479	—

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

21.5%

Unemployment

5.2%

College Educated

20.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$52,620

Mean Household Income

$69,799

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

50.4%

Female

49.6%

Population Split

Male50.4%

Female49.6%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English30.6%

Irish9.6%

German8.8%

Italian2.8%

Scottish2.2%

French1.1%

Polish0.7%

Mexican0.4%

African0.3%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

1.1%Foreign Born

98.9%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized54.2%

Non-Citizen45.8%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later52.0%

Before 201048.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

53,688

Median Rent

$856/mo

Median Home Value

$129,600

Median Year Built

1975

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

20,101

College Enrollment

15.0%

High School

22.9%

College Educated

20.1%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

25.9 min

Drive Alone Rate

80.8%

Public Transit

0.1%

Work From Home

7.8%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

20.9%

18-34 Years

18.7%

35-64 Years

38.1%

65+ Years

22.3%

Population Composition

Under 1820.9%

18-3418.7%

35-6438.1%

65+22.3%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

47.9%

Single Parent

7.3%

Living Alone

30.9%

Avg Size

2.41

Household Types

Married Couples47.9%

Single Parent7.3%

Living Alone30.9%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$28,557

SNAP Usage

19.4%

Health Insurance

94.5%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k25.4%

$25k - $50k22.6%

$50k - $100k29.5%

$100k+22.5%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

3.9%

Retail Trade

14.6%

Education & Health Care

29.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

22.3%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.5%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

78.6%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

88.3%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

88.4

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

210.7

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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