Bluefield, WV-VA

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2023 Population

98,995

6.75% 1-year decline

2023 Median Age

0.228% 1-year increase

2023 Poverty Rate

18.5%

2.05% 1-year increase

2023 Median Household Income

$46,906

0.82% 1-year decline

2023 Median Property Value

$117,500

2.44% 1-year growth

2023 Employed Population

36,854

7.23% 1-year decline

About

In 2023, Bluefield, WV-VA had a population of 99k people with a median age of 44 and a median household income of $46,906. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Bluefield, WV-VA declined from 106,163 to 98,995, a −6.75% decrease and its median household income declined from $47,294 to $46,906, a −0.82% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Bluefield, WV-VA are White (Non-Hispanic) (90.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.8%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.53%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.445%), and White (Hispanic) (0.428%).

None of the households in Bluefield, WV-VA 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.

99.7% of the residents in Bluefield, WV-VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Bluefield, WV-VA are Southwest Virginia Community College (617 degrees awarded in 2022), Concord University (445 degrees), and Bluefield University (327 degrees).

In 2023, the median property value in Bluefield, WV-VA was $117,500, and the homeownership rate was 71%.

Most people in Bluefield, WV-VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Bluefield, WV-VA was 2 cars per household.

Bluefield, WV-VA borders Beckley, WV and Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA.

United States Virginia West Virginia

Population & Diversity

Bluefield, WV-VA is home to a population of 99k people, from which 99.7% are citizens. As of 2023, 0.972% of Bluefield, WV-VA residents were born outside of the country (962 people).

In 2023, there were 23.8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (89.6k people) in Bluefield, WV-VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.77k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 3.5k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.7%

2023 Citizenship

99.7%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 99.7% of Bluefield, WV-VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Bluefield, WV-VA was 99.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Bluefield, WV-VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
89.6k ± 505
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
3.77k ± 474
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
3.5k ± 694

1.3%

Hispanic Population

1.29k people

1.3% of the people in Bluefield, WV-VA are hispanic (1.29k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Bluefield, WV-VA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Virginia and West Virginia.

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
108,426 ± 8,707 people
India
100,517 ± 8,706 people
Mexico
61,919 ± 7,100 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia and West Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 108,426 Virginia and West Virginia residents, followed by India with 100,517 and Mexico with 61,919.

Foreign-Born Population

0.972%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

962 people

0.799%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

848 people

As of 2023, 0.972% of Bluefield, WV-VA residents (962 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Bluefield, WV-VA was 0.799%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,409 ± 295
Gulf War (1990s)
725 ± 216
Gulf War (2001-)
675 ± 198

Bluefield, WV-VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.32 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Bluefield, WV-VA employs 36.9k people. The largest industries in Bluefield, WV-VA are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,878 people), Retail Trade (4,960 people), and Educational Services (3,714 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($122,801), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($81,696), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($73,442).

Males in Virginia have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $69,674. The income inequality in Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.475, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

36.9k

2023 Value

± 1,639

−7.23%

1 Year decline

± 6.55%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Bluefield, WV-VA declined at a rate of −7.23%, from 39.7k employees to 36.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Bluefield, WV-VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,777 people), Sales & Related Occupations (3,693 people), and Production Occupations (2,899 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Bluefield, WV-VA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Virginia and 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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

36.9k

2023 Value

± 1,639

−7.23%

1 Year decline

± 6.55%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Bluefield, WV-VA declined at a rate of −7.23%, from 39.7k employees to 36.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Bluefield, WV-VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,878 people), Retail Trade (4,960 people), and Educational Services (3,714 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Bluefield, WV-VA, though some of these residents may live in Bluefield, WV-VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$45,268

Median earning men ± $1,914

$32,025

Median earning women ± $1,581

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($73,767), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($73,288), and Manufacturing ($56,076).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($47,063), Information ($43,075), and Public Administration ($42,423).

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

197
Other Services (except Public Administration)
136
Retail Trade
115
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Depending on the option selected, the visualization shows the number of employees or number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$312k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$177k
Retail Trade
$145k
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia and West Virginia went to Donald J. Trump with 49.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.4%), followed by Other (0.777%).

Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Shelley Moore Capito, and Jim Justice are the senators currently representing the state of Virginia and West Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Bluefield, WV-VA. Showing the available data for Virginia and West Virginia.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.5%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (48.4%)
Democratic Party
Other (0.777%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia and West Virginia went to Donald J. Trump with 49.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.4%), followed by Other (0.777%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Virginia and West Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Virginia and West Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia and West Virginia.

Mark Warner

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Tim Kaine

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Shelley Moore Capito

Senator from West Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Jim Justice

Senator from West Virginia

Assumed office on January 14, 2025
Inauguration delayed in order to finish his term as Governor of West Virginia.

Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Shelley Moore Capito, and Jim Justice are the senators currently representing Virginia and West Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Virginia and West Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Virginia

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Virginia have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2022, universities in Bluefield, WV-VA awarded 1,720 degrees. The student population of Bluefield, WV-VA in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 2,500 male students and 3,830 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Bluefield, WV-VA are White (1,446 and 84.9%), followed by Black or African American (100 and 5.87%), Unknown (76 and 4.46%), and Two or More Races (39 and 2.29%).

The largest universities in Bluefield, WV-VA by number of degrees awarded are Southwest Virginia Community College (617 and 35.9%), Concord University (445 and 25.9%), and Bluefield University (327 and 19%).

The most popular majors in Bluefield, WV-VA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (181 and 10.5%), Registered Nursing (149 and 8.66%), and General Studies (112 and 6.51%).

The median tuition costs in Bluefield, WV-VA are $27,600 for private four year colleges, and $8,690 and $17,405 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2022 in Bluefield, WV-VA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 84.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 26.2%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 6,330 (39.5% men and 60.5% 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.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2022 there were 6,330 students enrolled in Bluefield, WV-VA, 39.5% men and 60.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 5,009 records, of which 64.4% were women and 35.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Biological Sciences
46 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
97 degrees awarded
General Studies
94 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Bluefield, WV-VA was General Biological Sciences with 46 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Southwest Virginia Community College
617 degrees awarded
Concord University
445 degrees awarded
Bluefield University
327 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Southwest Virginia Community College with 617 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 629 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Bluefield, WV-VA, which is 0.577 times less than the 1,091 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,446 degrees mean that there were 14.5 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 100 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($27,600) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2022.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,820) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

Public, 2-year ($1,890) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2022, 0.846% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.847% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2022 were High School or Equivalent (2.25M), Some college (1.68M), and Bachelors Degree (1.65M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Bluefield, WV-VA was $117,500 in 2023, which is 0.387 times smaller than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $114,700 to $117,500, a 2.44% increase. The homeownership rate in Bluefield, WV-VA is 71%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in Bluefield, WV-VA have an average commute time of 24.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Bluefield, WV-VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Bluefield, WV-VA is $46,906. In 2023, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Bluefield, WV-VA was Loudoun County, VA with a value of $178,707, followed by Falls Church city, VA and Fairfax County, VA, with respective values of $154,734 and $150,113.

Housing

Property

$117,500

Median Property Value 2023

±$4,750

$28,677

Median Property Taxes

±$1,252

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 Bluefield, WV-VA the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

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

Rent vs Own

71%

Homeownership

2023

63.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 71% of the housing units in Bluefield, WV-VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 71.7%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2023, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Bluefield, WV-VA was Loudoun County, VA with a value of $178,707, followed by Falls Church city, VA and Fairfax County, VA, with respective values of $154,734 and $150,113.

The following map shows all of the counties in Bluefield, WV-VA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$46,906

Median Household Income

± $2,433

40.4k

Number of Households

± 1,654

In 2023, the median household income of the 40.4k households in Bluefield, WV-VA declined from $46,906 from the previous year's value of $47,294.

The following chart displays the households in Bluefield, WV-VA 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 $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Bluefield, WV-VA is from Virginia and West Virginia.

0.475

2022 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.449

2022 Wage GINI in West Virginia

0.447

2021 Wage GINI in West Virginia

In 2022, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.475 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.164% decline from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Virginia in comparison to the national average.

In the same year, the income inequality in West Virginia was 0.449 and income inequality had a 0.523% growth from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for West Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.478, meaning wages are distributed more evenly in West Virginia in comparison to the national average.

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

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2023

Drove Alone (82.6%)
Carpooled (7.51%)
Worked At Home (6.16%)

In 2023, 82.6% of workers in Bluefield, WV-VA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.51%) and those who worked at home (6.16%).

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.

Commute Time

24.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Bluefield, WV-VA have a shorter commute time (24.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 3.3% of the workforce in Bluefield, WV-VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

18.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Bluefield, WV-VA (17.7k out of 96k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 45 - 54 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Bluefield, WV-VA 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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

94.7% of the population of Bluefield, WV-VA has health coverage, with 37.6% on employee plans, 24.4% on Medicaid, 20.5% on Medicare, 10.2% on non-group plans, and 1.89% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Virginia see 1324 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.07% increase from the previous year (1310 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1351 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 447 patients per year.

Similarly, primary care physicians in West Virginia see 1273 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.236% increase from the previous year (1270 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1713 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 616 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,324 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Virginia

1,273 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in West Virginia

Primary care physicians in Virginia see an average of 1,324 patients per year. This represents a 1.07% increase from the previous year (1,310 patients).

Primary care physicians in West Virginia see an average of 1,273 patients per year. This represents a 0.236% increase from the previous year (1,270 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Virginia and West Virginia in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.1% under 18 years, 17.8% between 18 and 34 years, 37.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 22.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.6% were men and 52.4% were women.

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

Uninsured People

5.33%

Uninsured

37.6%

Employer Coverage

24.4%

Medicaid

20.5%

Medicare

10.2%

Non-Group

1.89%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Bluefield, WV-VA declined by 15.4% from 6.3% to 5.33%.

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

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