County in West Virginia · 533 sq mi · 31 people per sq mi
16,570 people live in McDowell County. The typical household earns $31,559, and the median resident is 43.7 years old.
2026 projection
From 18,942 in 2020
Poverty rate 34.18%
Men 41.5 · Women 47.3
1860–2026
16,570
2026 projection
12.5% since 2020 (decrease)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
1860–2026
16,570
2026 projection
12.5% since 2020 (decrease)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
| 2026 | 16,570 | -308 | 1.82% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16,878 | -308 | 1.79% |
| 2024 | 17,186 | -260 | 1.49% |
| 2023 | 17,446 | -349 | 1.96% |
| 2022 | 17,795 | -626 | 3.40% |
| 2021 | 18,421 | -521 | 2.75% |
| 2020 | 18,942 | +1,342 | 7.62% |
| 2019 | 17,600 | -598 | 3.29% |
| 2018 | 18,198 | -319 | 1.72% |
| 2017 | 18,517 | -669 | 3.49% |
Showing 10 of 31 years.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101
Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 179 people).
Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002
Half of households earn more, half earn less
Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.
About 1 in 3 residents
39% of residents age 15 and older are married.
| Status | Overall | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Married | 39% | 38% | 40% |
| Never married | 34% | 41% | 25% |
| Divorced | 13% | 14% | 11% |
| Widowed | 13% | 5% | 23% |
| Separated | 2% | 2% | 2% |
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201
8 sources, all from the U.S. Census Bureau