Beckley, WV

Census Place

Add Comparison
2024 Population
16,818
US Senator
Shelley Moore Capito
Republican Party
US Senator
Jim Justice
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
42.3
8.46% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
28.9%
7.15% 1-year increase
2024 Median Household Income
$45,826
14.7% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$158,000
6.18% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
6,515
1.76% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Beckley, WV reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.2% of the residents in Beckley, WV are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Beckley, WV are West Virginia University Institute of Technology (166 degrees awarded in 2023), Academy of Careers and Technology (106 degrees), and Valley College-Beckley (58 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Beckley, WV was $158,000, and the homeownership rate was 55.4%.

Most people in Beckley, WV drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Beckley, WV was 2 cars per household.

United StatesWest VirginiaRaleigh County, WVBeckley, WVRaleigh, Fayette Counties PUMA, WV

Population & Diversity

Beckley, WV is home to a population of 16.8k people, from which 99.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 3.04% of Beckley, WV residents were born outside of the country (512 people).

In 2024, there were 4.29 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.9k people) in Beckley, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.77k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 926 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.2%
2024 Citizenship
99.1%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.2% of Beckley, WV residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Beckley, WV was 99.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Beckley, WV compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

View Data
Save Image

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Beckley, WV
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    11.9k ± 582
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    2.77k ± 477
  3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
    926 ± 345
3.57%
Hispanic Population
600 people

In 2024, there were 4.29 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.9k people) in Beckley, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.77k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 926 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

3.57% of the people in Beckley, WV are hispanic (600 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Beckley, WV as a share of the total population.

View Data
Save Image

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for West Virginia.
Most Common Origin
  1. India
    2,277 ± 1,171 people
  2. Mexico
    2,211 ± 1,154 people
  3. Germany
    1,987 ± 1,094 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of West Virginia was India, the natal country of 2,277 West Virginia residents, followed by Mexico with 2,211 and Germany with 1,987.

View Data
Save Image

Foreign-Born Population

3.04%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
512 people
3.12%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
529 people

As of 2024, 3.04% of Beckley, WV residents (512 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Beckley, WV was 3.12%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Beckley, WV compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

View Data
Save Image

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    272 ± 181
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    128 ± 75
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    57 ± 37

Beckley, WV has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.13 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Beckley, WV.

View Data
Save Image

Economy

The economy of Beckley, WV employs 6.52k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Beckley, WV were Health Care & Social Assistance (1,490 people), Retail Trade (958 people), and Educational Services (927 people), and the highest paying industries were Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($150,227), Utilities ($116,154), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($94,741).

Employment

Occupations

6.52k
2024 Value
± 697
−1.76%
1 Year decline
± 15.5%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Beckley, WV declined at a rate of −1.76%, from 6.63k employees to 6.52k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Beckley, WV, are Sales & Related Occupations (804 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (697 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (669 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Beckley, WV.

View Data
Save Image

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in West Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Data
Save Image

Industries

Employment by Industries

6.52k
2024 Value
± 697
−1.76%
1 Year decline
± 15.5%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Beckley, WV declined at a rate of −1.76%, from 6.63k employees to 6.52k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Beckley, WV, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,490 people), Retail Trade (958 people), and Educational Services (927 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Beckley, WV, though some of these residents may live in Beckley, WV and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

View Data
Save Image

Median Earnings by Industry

$46,179
Median earning men ± $13,098
$30,996
Median earning women ± $2,320

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($150,227), Information ($110,647), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($94,009).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($73,750), Public Administration ($55,107), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($32,175).

View Data
Save Image

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.
Y-Axis
0.583%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 690k people employed in West Virginia. This represents a 0.583% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 15%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in West Virginia.

View Data
Save Image

Education

In 2023, universities in Beckley, WV awarded 330 degrees. The student population of Beckley, WV in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 793 male students and 983 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Beckley, WV are White (251 and 79.7%), Unknown (31 and 9.84%), Black or African American (13 and 4.13%), and Two or More Races (12 and 3.81%).

The largest universities in Beckley, WV by number of degrees awarded are West Virginia University Institute of Technology (166 and 50.3%), Academy of Careers and Technology (106 and 32.1%), and Valley College-Beckley (58 and 17.6%).

The most popular majors in Beckley, WV are Medical Assistant (58 and 17.6%), Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (26 and 7.88%), and General Cosmetology (25 and 7.58%).

The median tuition cost in Beckley, WV for a public four year colleges is $8,064 for in-state students and $20,160 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Beckley, WV, the percentage of applicants admitted was 61%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 50.2%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 1,776 (44.7% men and 55.3% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

View Data
Save Image

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 1,776 students enrolled in Beckley, WV, 44.7% men and 55.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,431 records, of which 57% were women and 43% men.

View Data
Save Image

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Biological Sciences
    23 degrees awarded
  2. General Studies
    21 degrees awarded
  3. General Psychology
    17 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Beckley, WV was General Biological Sciences with 23 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Beckley, WV according to their major.

View Data
Save Image

Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. West Virginia University Institute of Technology
    166 degrees awarded
  2. Academy of Careers and Technology
    106 degrees awarded
  3. Valley College-Beckley
    58 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was West Virginia University Institute of Technology with 166 degrees awarded.

View Data
Save Image

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 139 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Beckley, WV, which is 0.728 times less than the 191 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 251 degrees mean that there were 8.1 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 31 degrees awarded.

View Data
Save Image

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($8,064) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($950) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

View Data
Save Image

Housing & Living

The median property value in Beckley, WV was $158,000 in 2024, which is 0.475 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $148,800 to $158,000, a 6.18% increase. The homeownership rate in Beckley, WV is 55.4%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Beckley, WV have an average commute time of 16.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Beckley, WV is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$158,000
Median Property Value 2024
±$12,759
$3,907
Median Property Taxes
±$455

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Beckley, WV the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Beckley, WV compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

Rent vs Own

55.4%
Homeownership
2024
68%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 55.4% of the housing units in Beckley, WV were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 53.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Beckley, WV compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

View Data
Save Image

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$45,826
Median Household Income
± $8,661
7.05k
Number of Households
± 715

In 2024, the median household income of the 7.05k households in Beckley, WV grew to $45,826 from the previous year's value of $39,939.

The following chart displays the households in Beckley, WV distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

View Data
Save Image

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Beckley, WV is from West Virginia.
0.443
2023 Wage GINI in West Virginia
0.449
2022 Wage GINI in West Virginia

In 2023, the income inequality in West Virginia was 0.443 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.39% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for West Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in West Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in West Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

View Data
Save Image

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (79.7%)
  2. Worked At Home (7.27%)
  3. Carpooled (4.55%)

In 2024, 79.7% of workers in Beckley, WV drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (7.27%) and those who carpooled to work (4.55%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

View Data
Save Image

Commute Time

16.5 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Beckley, WV have a shorter commute time (16.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 0.461% of the workforce in Beckley, WV have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Beckley, WV compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Beckley, WV distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Beckley, WV have 2 cars.

View Data
Save Image

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

28.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Beckley, WV (4.63k out of 16k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Males 25 - 34 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Beckley, WV is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

View Data
Save Image

Health

97% of the population of Beckley, WV has health coverage, with 34.3% on employee plans, 24.4% on Medicaid, 11.7% on Medicare, 23.8% on non-group plans, and 2.73% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in West Virginia see 1,319 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,319 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1705 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 506 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.5% under 18 years, 20.1% between 18 and 34 years, 34.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

View Data
Save Image

Uninsured People

3.04%
Uninsured
34.3%
Employer Coverage
24.4%
Medicaid
11.7%
Medicare
23.8%
Non-Group
2.73%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Beckley, WV declined by 7.38% from 3.28% to 3.04%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Beckley, WV changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

View Data
Save Image