6th most populous of 55
With 72,379 residents in 2024, Raleigh County ranks 6th by population among West Virginia's 55 counties and is home to 4.1% of the state's residents.
Raleigh County is home to 72,379 people (2024 estimate) on 605 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
72,379
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
74,592
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−3.0%
2020–2024
Land area
605 mi²
1,568 km²
Population density
119.6 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
658
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
1,062
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
−404
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+257
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$55,961
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$4.5 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$52,150
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
22.8%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
22.5%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
1.5%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$150,900
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.8%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–202472,379▼ 8%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 72,379 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 78,859 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 79,018 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | −8.4% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +160 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | +97 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 9.1 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 14.7 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in West Virginia | 6th of 55 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $55,961 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $4.5 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $52,150 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 22.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 22.5% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $150,900 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $902/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 42.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 29,004 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.3% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Raleigh County in context
Comparable indicators for Raleigh County, West Virginia and the United States.
| Indicator | County | West Virginia | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −3.0% | −1.3% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 9.1 | 9.4 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 14.7 | 13.9 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 3.6 | 4.2 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 119.6 | 73.6 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $55,961 | $55,351 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $52,150 | $59,608 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 22.8% | 16.7% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 22.5% | 24.1% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.5% | 1.8% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $150,900 | $162,600 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $902/month | $872/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 42.9 years | 42.7 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.3% | 74.9% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
1 city · choose how to order them
Beckley
16,000 residents
Did you know? Raleigh County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 79,018 in 2000 to 72,379 in 2024, a change of −8.4%, compared with −2.0% for West Virginia as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 658 births and 1,062 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 404.
Peak population in 2011
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 79,366 in 2011. The 2024 figure is 6,987 lower.
14th in density
Raleigh County has about 119.6 residents per square mile of land, ranking 14th of 55 counties; West Virginia averages 73.6.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $52,150 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 36th of 55 West Virginia counties; the state median is $59,608.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $4.5 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 8th largest among 55 West Virginia counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 3.9% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS