McDowell County, WV

County

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2020 Population

18,083

3.1% 1-year decline

US Senator

Joe Manchin

Democratic Party

US Senator

Shelley Moore Capito

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

45.5

1.11% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

32.8%

1.02% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$26,072

5.82% 1-year decline

2020 Median Property Value

$39,500

12.9% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

3,614

4.44% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, McDowell County, WV had a population of 18.1k people with a median age of 45.5 and a median household income of $26,072. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of McDowell County, WV declined from 18,661 to 18,083, a −3.1% decrease and its median household income declined from $27,682 to $26,072, a −5.82% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in McDowell County, WV are White (Non-Hispanic) (88.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (7.94%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.71%), White (Hispanic) (0.747%), and Other (Hispanic) (0.603%).

None of the households in McDowell County, 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.

99.3% of the residents in McDowell County, WV are U.S. citizens.

In 2020, the median property value in McDowell County, WV was $39,500, and the homeownership rate was 78%. Most people in McDowell County, WV drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 32.5 minutes. The average car ownership in McDowell County, WV was 2 cars per household.

McDowell County, WV borders Buchanan County, VA, Tazewell County, VA, Mercer County, WV, Mingo County, WV, and Wyoming County, WV.

United States West Virginia

Diversity

McDowell County, WV is home to a population of 18.1k people, from which 99.3% are citizens. As of 2020, 0.885% of McDowell County, WV residents were born outside of the country (160 people).

In 2020, there were 11.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (16.1k people) in McDowell County, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.44k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 309 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in McDowell County, WV

White (Non-Hispanic)
16.1k ± 19
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
1.44k ± 114
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
309 ± 97.9

1.36%

Hispanic Population

246 people

1.36% of the people in McDowell County, WV are hispanic (246 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in McDowell County, WV as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

0.885%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

160 people

0.954%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

178 people

As of 2020, 0.885% of McDowell County, WV residents (160 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in McDowell County, WV was 0.954%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 9.3

In 2020, the median age of all people in McDowell County, WV was 45.5. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 46, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 44. But people in McDowell County, WV are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all McDowell County, WV residents was 45.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

India
2,485 ± 1,223 people
Philippines
2,301 ± 1,177 people
China
2,228 ± 1,158 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of West Virginia was India, the natal country of 2,485 West Virginia residents, followed by Philippines with 2,301 and China with 2,228.

Citizenship

99.3%

2020 Citizenship

99.2%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 99.3% of McDowell County, WV residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in McDowell County, WV was 99.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
414 ± 132
Korea
76 ± 44
Gulf War (1990s)
41 ± 36

McDowell County, WV has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 5.45 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for West Virginia. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in West Virginia, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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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.

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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in West Virginia. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of West Virginia across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in McDowell County, WV is $26,072. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in McDowell County, WV was Census Tract 9540 with a value of $34,688, followed by Census Tract 9545.03 and Census Tract 9542, with respective values of $30,898 and $29,650.

Males in West Virginia have an average income that is 1.38 times higher than the average income of females, which is $43,089. The income inequality in West Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.441, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of McDowell County, WV employs 3.61k people. The largest industries in McDowell County, WV are Health Care & Social Assistance (779 people), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (561 people), and Educational Services (436 people), and the highest paying industries are Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($83,345), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($68,211), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($68,211).

Wages

Median Household Income

$26,072

2020 value

± $3,076

−5.82%

1 Year Growth

± 14.5%

Households in McDowell County, WV have a median annual income of $26,072, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $27,682 in 2019, which represents a −5.82% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in McDowell County, WV compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$59,317

Average Male Salary in West Virginia

± $2,250

$43,089

Average Female Salary in West Virginia

± $1,699

In 2020, full-time male employees in West Virginia made 1.38 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in West Virginia by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in West Virginia

Asian
$68,837 ± $25,490
White
$45,451 ± $1,344
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$42,271 ± $5,747

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of West Virginia workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.51 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in West Virginia.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in West Virginia by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for McDowell County, WV is from West Virginia.

0.441

2020 Wage GINI in West Virginia

0.444

2019 Wage GINI in West Virginia

In 2020, the income inequality in West Virginia was 0.441 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.729% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for West Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9540
Census Tract 9545.03
Census Tract 9542

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in McDowell County, WV was Census Tract 9540 with a value of $34,688, followed by Census Tract 9545.03 and Census Tract 9542, with respective values of $30,898 and $29,650.

The following map shows all of the tracts in McDowell County, WV colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 55 - 64

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

32.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in McDowell County, WV (5.48k out of 16.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 25 - 34.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
5,139 ± 426
Black
250 ± 134
Two Or More
73 ± 107

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

3.61k

2020 Value

± 449

−4.44%

1 Year decline

± 17.1%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in McDowell County, WV declined at a rate of −4.44%, from 3.78k employees to 3.61k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in McDowell County, WV, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (449 people), Construction & Extraction Occupations (416 people), and Transportation Occupations (363 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of McDowell County, WV.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of McDowell County, WV, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (449 people), Construction & Extraction Occupations (416 people), and Transportation Occupations (363 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, McDowell County, WV has an unusually high number of residents working as Fire Fighting & Prevention, & Other Protective Service Workers Including Supervisors (2.79 times higher than expected), Transportation Occupations (2.64 times), and Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (2.63 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of McDowell County, WV, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($121,389), Construction & Extraction Occupations ($73,250), and Natural Resources, Construction, & Maintenance Occupations ($72,065).

Industries

Employment by Industries

3.61k

2020 Value

± 449

−4.44%

1 Year decline

± 17.1%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in McDowell County, WV declined at a rate of −4.44%, from 3.78k employees to 3.61k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in McDowell County, WV, are Health Care & Social Assistance (779 people), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (561 people), and Educational Services (436 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of McDowell County, WV, though some of these residents may live in McDowell County, WV and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in McDowell County, WV, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (779 people), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (561 people), and Educational Services (436 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, McDowell County, WV has an unusually high number of Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (32.4 times higher than expected), Public Administration (2.22 times), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1.54 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in McDowell County, WV, by median earnings, are Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($83,345), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($68,211), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($68,211).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from West Virginia to other states, or from other states to West Virginia.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Coal-n.e.c.
$8.42B
Coal
$6.05B
Plastics/rubber
$5.79B

In 2020, the top outbound West Virginia product (by dollars) was Coal-n.e.c. with $8.42B, followed by Coal ($6.05B) and Plastics/rubber ($5.79B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound West Virginia products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for West Virginia.

$65.6B

2020 Value in West Virginia

$114B

Projected 2050 Value in West Virginia

74.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound West Virginia trade was $65.6B. This is expected to increase 74.3% to $114B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound West Virginia trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from West Virginia to other states, or from other states to West Virginia.

Most Common Trade Partners

Ohio
$9.85B
Pennsylvania
$5.83B
Virginia
$3.98B

In 2020, the top outbound West Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Ohio with $9.85B, followed by Pennsylvania with $5.83B and Virginia and $3.98B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that West Virginia shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in McDowell County, WV went to Donald J. Trump with 78.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (20.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.444%). The most partisan county was Grant County, WV with 88.4% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito are the senators currently representing the state of West Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

West Virginia is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (78.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (20.4%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.444%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in McDowell County, WV for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of West Virginia.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for McDowell County, WV

78.9% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in West Virginia

Grant County, WV
88.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Wyoming County, WV
85.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Mingo County, WV
85.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in West Virginia was Grant County, WV with 88.4% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in West Virginia colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from West Virginia

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

Joe Manchin

Senator from West Virginia

Assumed office on November 15, 2010
Elected to the seat to succeed Carte Goodwin, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Robert Byrd.

Shelley Moore Capito

Senator from West Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito are the senators currently representing 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 West Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from West Virginia

West Virginia is currently represented by 3 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 West Virginia have changed over time starting in 2008.

Housing & Living

The median property value in McDowell County, WV was $39,500 in 2020, which is 0.172 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $35,000 to $39,500, a 12.9% increase. The homeownership rate in McDowell County, WV is 78%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in McDowell County, WV have an average commute time of 32.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in McDowell County, WV is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$39,500

2020 Median

± $5,933

$35,000

2019 Median

± $5,584

In 2020, the median property value in McDowell County, WV grew to to $39,500 from the previous year's value of $35,000.

The following charts display, first, the property values in McDowell County, WV compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In McDowell County, WV the largest share of households have a property value in the < $10k range.

Household Income

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

$26,072

Median Household Income

± $3,076

7.43k

Number of Households

± 635

In 2020, the median household income of the 7.43k households in McDowell County, WV declined from $26,072 from the previous year's value of $27,682.

The following chart displays the households in McDowell County, 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.

Property Taxes

None

Average Range

This chart shows the households in McDowell County, WV distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In McDowell County, WV the largest share of households pay taxes in the None range.

Rent vs Own

78%

2020 Homeownership

78.7%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 78% of the housing units in McDowell County, WV were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 78.7%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in McDowell County, WV compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

32.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in McDowell County, WV have a longer commute time (32.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 5.41% of the workforce in McDowell County, WV have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (87%)
Carpooled (7.01%)
Worked At Home (3.79%)

In 2020, 87% of workers in McDowell County, WV drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.01%) and those who worked at home (3.79%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Health

95.1% of the population of McDowell County, WV has health coverage, with 22.3% on employee plans, 43.4% on Medicaid, 21.7% on Medicare, 5.31% on non-group plans, and 2.39% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in West Virginia was $9,462 in 2014. This is a 5.5% increase from the previous year ($8,969).

Primary care physicians in McDowell County, WV see 3645 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.25% decrease from the previous year (3691 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 4406 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 2937 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Mingo County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (22.1%). Additionally, McDowell County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (44.9%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

3,645 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in McDowell County, WV

Primary care physicians in McDowell County, WV see an average of 3,645 patients per year. This represents a 1.25% decrease from the previous year (3,691 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in McDowell County, WV in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$9,462

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in West Virginia

$3,917

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$6,557

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,268

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in West Virginia (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 5.5%, from $8,969 to $9,462.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

4.93%

Uninsured

22.3%

Employer Coverage

43.4%

Medicaid

21.7%

Medicare

5.31%

Non-Group

2.39%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in McDowell County, WV declined by 17.8% from 6% to 4.93%.

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