McDowell County, WV

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Population

19,707

2.79% decline

Median Age

44


Median Household Income

$25,595

1.54% growth

Poverty Rate

34.9%


Number of Employees

4,081

5.05% decline

Median Property Value

$34,800

3.57% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, McDowell County, WV had a population of 19.7k people with a median age of 44 and a median household income of $25,595. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of McDowell County, WV declined from 20,273 to 19,707, a -2.79% decrease and its median household income grew from $25,206 to $25,595, a 1.54% increase.

The population of McDowell County, WV is 88.7% White Alone, 8.21% Black or African American Alone, and 1.56% Hispanic or Latino. 1.4% of the people in McDowell County, WV speak a non-English language, and 98.8% are U.S. citizens.

The median property value in McDowell County, WV is $34,800, and the homeownership rate is 79.4%. Most people in McDowell County, WV commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 24.3 minutes. The average car ownership in McDowell County, WV is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Autumn sunrise scenery from the Bear Rocks area of the Dolly Sods Wilderness near Davis, West Virginia (USA). HDR composite from multiple exposures.

Photo by Nicolas Raymond

United StatesWest Virginia

Economy

The economy of McDowell County, WV employs 4.08k people. The largest industries in McDowell County, WV are Health Care & Social Assistance (739 people), Retail Trade (628 people), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (568 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($78,409), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($77,366), and Finance & Insurance ($40,050).

Median household income in McDowell County, WV is $25,595. Males in McDowell County, WV have an average income that is 1.4 times higher than the average income of females, which is $39,552. The income inequality in McDowell County, WV (measured using the Gini index) is 0.444, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$25,595

2017 value

± $1,577

1.54%

1 Year Growth

± 7.75%

Households in McDowell County, WV have a median annual income of $25,595, which is less than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $25,206 in 2016, which represents a 1.54% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in McDowell County, WV compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$55,526

Average Male Salary

± $2,063

$39,552

Average Female Salary

± $1,541

In 2017, full-time male employees in McDowell County, WV made 1.4 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in McDowell County, WV by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $63,277 ± $23,510

  2. American Indian

    $44,513 ± $30,224

  3. White

    $42,144 ± $1,238

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of McDowell County, WV workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.42 times more than American Indian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in McDowell County, WV by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.444

2017 Wage GINI

0.444

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in West Virginia was 0.444 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.108% decline from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2017 the GINI for West Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 9538

  2. Census Tract 9536

  3. Census Tract 9545.03

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in McDowell County, WV was Census Tract 9538 with a value of $30,856, followed by Census Tract 9536 and Census Tract 9545.03, with respective values of $30,268 and $28,559.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

34.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in McDowell County, WV (6.31k out of 18.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 45 - 54 and then Males 55 - 64.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    6,002 ± 392

  2. Black

    245 ± 84

  3. Two Or More

    60 ± 97

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.

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

4.08k

2017 Value

± 396

-5.05%

1 Year decline

± 13.8%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in McDowell County, WV declined at a rate of -5.05%, from 4.3k employees to 4.08k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in McDowell County, WV, are Construction & Extraction Occupations (496 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (455 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (418 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of McDowell County, WV.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of McDowell County, WV, by number of employees, are Construction & Extraction Occupations (496 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (455 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (418 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, McDowell County, WV has an unusually high number of residents working as Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (3.83 times higher than expected), Health Technologists & Technicians (3.82 times), and Fire Fighting & Prevention, & Other Protective Service Workers Including Supervisors (2.99 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of McDowell County, WV, by median earnings, are Construction & Extraction Occupations ($76,071), Legal Occupations ($73,750), and Natural Resources, Construction, & Maintenance Occupations ($71,528).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

4.08k

2017 Value

± 396

-5.05%

1 Year decline

± 13.8%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in McDowell County, WV declined at a rate of -5.05%, from 4.3k employees to 4.08k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in McDowell County, WV, are Health Care & Social Assistance (739 people), Retail Trade (628 people), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (568 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in McDowell County, WV, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (739 people), Retail Trade (628 people), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (568 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, McDowell County, WV has an unusually high number of Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (25.8 times higher than expected), Public Administration (1.99 times), and Transportation & Warehousing (1.83 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in McDowell County, WV, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($78,409), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($77,366), and Finance & Insurance ($40,050).

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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

  1. Coal-n.e.c.

    $17.4B

  2. Coal

    $7.3B

  3. Pharmaceuticals

    $6.62B

In 2015, the top outbound West Virginia product (by dollars) was Coal-n.e.c. with $17.4B, followed by Coal with $7.3B and Pharmaceuticals and $6.62B.

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for West Virginia state.

$68B

2015 Value

$86.9B

Projected 2045 Value

27.7% growth

In 2015, total outbound West Virginia trade was $68B. This is expected to increase 27.7% to $86.9B by 2045.

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

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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

  1. Pennsylvania

    $10.5B

  2. Ohio

    $6.95B

  3. Virginia

    $6.94B

In 2015, the top outbound West Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Pennsylvania with $10.5B, followed by Ohio with $6.95B and Virginia and $6.94B.

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

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Health

88.3% of the population of McDowell County, WV has health coverage, with 21.7% on employee plans, 39.8% on Medicaid, 19.5% on Medicare, 5.83% on non-group plans, and 1.49% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of McDowell County, WV 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 1984 patients per year on average, which represents a 12.7% decrease from the previous year (2272 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 4785 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 3190 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, McDowell County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (19.7%). Additionally, McDowell County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (44.6%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1984 to 1

Primary Care Physicians

Primary care physicians in McDowell County, WV see an average of 1984 patients per year. This represents a 12.7% decrease from the previous year (2272 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 neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. 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.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. 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.

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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 

$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.

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Health Care Coverage

11.7%

Uninsured

21.7%

Employer Coverage

39.8%

Medicaid

19.5%

Medicare

5.83%

Non-Group

1.49%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in McDowell County, WV declined by 20.4% from 14.6% to 11.7%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. McDowell County

    19.7% prevalence

  2. Logan County

    19.1% prevalence

  3. Brooke County

    18.2% prevalence

McDowell County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in West Virginia, at 19.7%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in West Virginia by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

McDowell County, WV is home to a population of 19.7k people, from which 98.8% are citizens. As of 2017, 1.27% of McDowell County, WV residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of McDowell County, WV is composed of 17.5k White Alone residents (88.7%), 1.62k Black or African American Alone residents (8.21%), 308 Hispanic or Latino residents (1.56%), 272 Two or More Races residents (1.38%), 24 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.122%), 0 Asian Alone residents (0%), 0 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0%), and 0 Some Other Race Alone residents (0%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in McDowell County, WV are Spanish or Spanish Creole (246 speakers), French (Incl. Patois, Cajun) (19 speakers), and Italian (5 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

44

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

36

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 14.2

In 2017, the median age of all people in McDowell County, WV was 44. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 44, were generally older than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 36. But people in McDowell County, WV are getting getting younger. In 2016, the average age of all McDowell County, WV residents was 44.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

1.27%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

1.21%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 1.27% of McDowell County, WV residents were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in McDowell County, WV was 1.21%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    2,603 ± 1,252 people

  2. India

    2,547 ± 1,238 people

  3. China

    2,428 ± 1,209 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of McDowell County, WV was Mexico, the natal country of 2,603 McDowell County, WV residents, followed by India with 2,547 and China with 2,428.

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Citizenship

98.8%

2017 Citizenship

98.9%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 98.8% of McDowell County, WV residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in McDowell County, WV was 98.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    17.5k ± 28

  2. Black or African American Alone

    1.62k ± 142

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    308 ± 91.7

In 2017, there were 10.8 times more White Alone residents (17.5k people) in McDowell County, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.62k Black or African American Alone and 308 Hispanic or Latino residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in McDowell County, WV as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. Spanish or Spanish Creole

    246 speakers (1.26%)

  2. French (Incl. Patois, Cajun)

    19 speakers (0.0972%)

  3. Italian

    5 speakers (0.0256%)

1.4% of McDowell County, WV citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is lower than the national average of 21.5%. In 2015, the most common non-English language spoken in McDowell County, WV was Spanish or Spanish Creole. 1.26% of the overall population of McDowell County, WV are native Spanish or Spanish Creole speakers. 0.0972% speak French (Incl. Patois, Cajun) and 0.0256% speak Spanish or Spanish Creole, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    490 ± 113

  2. Gulf War (1990s)

    77 ± 61

  3. Korea

    77 ± 50

McDowell County, WV has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 6.36 times greater than any other conflict.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in McDowell County, WV was $34,800 in 2017, which is 0.16 times smaller than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $33,600 to $34,800, a 3.57% increase. The homeownership rate in McDowell County, WV is 79.4%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in McDowell County, WV have an average commute time of 24.3 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in McDowell County, WV is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

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

$25,595

Median Household Income

± $1,577

7.7k

Number of Households

± 483

In 2017, the median household income of the 7.7k households in McDowell County, WV grew to $25,595 from the previous year's value of $25,206.

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.

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Housing

Property Value

$34,800

2017 Median

± $3,227

$33,600

2016 Median

± $2,294

In 2017, the median property value in McDowell County, WV grew to to $34,800 from the previous year's value of $33,600.

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 $50k - $60k range.

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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.

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Rent vs Own

79.4%

2017 Homeownership

78.2%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 79.4% of the housing units in McDowell County, WV were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 78.2%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in McDowell County, WV compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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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 3 cars.

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Commute Time

24.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in McDowell County, WV have a shorter commute time (24.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 1.83% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    87.6%

  2. Carpooled

    7.43%

  3. Worked At Home

    2.39%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in McDowell County, WV was Drove Alone, followed by those who Carpooled and those who Worked At Home.

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