Preston County, WV

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Population

33,760

0.0977% decline

Poverty Rate

15.2%


Median Age

42.6


Median Household Income

$46,673

3.21% growth

Number of Employees

13,500

0.932% decline

Median Property Value

$106,600

0.661% growth

About

COVID-19

Economy

Health

Diversity

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Preston County, WV had a population of 33.8k people with a median age of 42.6 and a median household income of $46,673. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Preston County, WV declined from 33,793 to 33,760, a -0.0977% decrease and its median household income grew from $45,221 to $46,673, a 3.21% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Preston County, WV are White (Non-Hispanic) (91.9%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.38%), White (Hispanic) (1.33%), Two or More Races (Non-Hispanic) (0.815%), and Some Other Race (Hispanic) (0.548%). N/A% of the people in Preston County, WV speak a non-English language, and 99.2% are U.S. citizens.

The median property value in Preston County, WV is $106,600, and the homeownership rate is 81.8%. Most people in Preston County, WV commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 28.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Preston 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 VirginiaMorgantown, WV

COVID-19

Total Confirmed Cases by Date

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

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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Impact on Employment

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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Community Mobility

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

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

The economy of Preston County, WV employs 13.5k people. The largest industries in Preston County, WV are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,285 people), Retail Trade (1,484 people), and Manufacturing (1,406 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($64,526), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($61,523), and Utilities ($60,488).

Median household income in Preston County, WV is $46,673. Males in Preston 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 Preston County, WV (measured using the Gini index) is 0.444, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$46,673

2017 value

± $1,820

3.21%

1 Year Growth

± 5.7%

Households in Preston County, WV have a median annual income of $46,673, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $45,221 in 2016, which represents a 3.21% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Preston County, WV compares to that of its 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 West Virginia.

$55,526

Average Male Salary

± $2,063

$39,552

Average Female Salary

± $1,541

In 2017, full-time male employees in West Virginia made 1.4 times more than female employees.

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

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Preston 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 9643

  2. Census Tract 9638

  3. Census Tract 9640

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Preston County, WV was Census Tract 9643 with a value of $55,781, followed by Census Tract 9638 and Census Tract 9640, with respective values of $53,151 and $45,491.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 35 - 44

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Preston County, WV (4.72k out of 31k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 18 - 24.

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

    4,561 ± 381

  2. Hispanic

    191 ± 161

  3. Two Or More

    119 ± 125

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Preston County, WV is White, followed by Hispanic 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

13.5k

2017 Value

± 658

-0.932%

1 Year decline

± 7.01%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Preston County, WV declined at a rate of -0.932%, from 13.6k employees to 13.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Preston County, WV, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,747 people), Construction & Extraction Occupations (1,578 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,179 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Preston County, WV.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Preston County, WV, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,747 people), Construction & Extraction Occupations (1,578 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,179 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Preston County, WV has an unusually high number of residents working as Construction & Extraction Occupations (2.35 times higher than expected), Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.69 times), and Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (1.63 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Preston County, WV, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($72,321), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($70,054), and Legal Occupations ($66,875).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

13.5k

2017 Value

± 658

-0.932%

1 Year decline

± 7.01%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Preston County, WV declined at a rate of -0.932%, from 13.6k employees to 13.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Preston County, WV, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,285 people), Retail Trade (1,484 people), and Manufacturing (1,406 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Preston County, WV, though some of these residents may live in Preston 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 Preston County, WV, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,285 people), Retail Trade (1,484 people), and Manufacturing (1,406 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Preston County, WV has an unusually high number of Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (12.2 times higher than expected), Utilities (2.13 times), and Construction (1.54 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Preston County, WV, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($64,526), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($61,523), and Utilities ($60,488).

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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.

    $19.6B

  2. Pharmaceuticals

    $7.19B

  3. Coal

    $6.22B

In 2015, the top outbound West Virginia product (by dollars) was Coal-n.e.c. with $19.6B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($7.19B) and Coal ($6.22B).

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.

$72.2B

2020 Value

$86.9B

Projected 2045 Value

20.4% growth

In 2020, total outbound West Virginia trade was $72.2B. This is expected to increase 20.4% 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

    $11B

  2. Ohio

    $7.36B

  3. Virginia

    $7.22B

In 2015, the top outbound West Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Pennsylvania with $11B, followed by Ohio with $7.36B and Virginia and $7.22B.

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

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Health

90.9% of the population of Preston County, WV has health coverage, with 45.1% on employee plans, 19.5% on Medicaid, 14.2% on Medicare, 10.7% on non-group plans, and 1.35% on military or VA plans.

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

Primary care physicians in Preston County, WV see 2828 patients per year on average, which represents a 16.3% decrease from the previous year (3379 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3751 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 8440 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

2,828 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Preston County, WV see an average of 2,828 patients per year. This represents a 16.3% decrease from the previous year (3,379 patients).

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

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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

9.14%

Uninsured

45.1%

Employer Coverage

19.5%

Medicaid

14.2%

Medicare

10.7%

Non-Group

1.35%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Preston County, WV declined by 15.6% from 10.8% to 9.14%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Preston 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

Preston County, WV is home to a population of 33.8k people, from which 99.2% are citizens. As of 2017, 1.23% of Preston County, WV residents were born outside of the country (415 people).

In 2017, there were 21 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (31k people) in Preston County, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.48k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 449 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Age

Age by Nativity

43

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

45

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 7.9

In 2017, the median age of all people in Preston County, WV was 42.6. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 43, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 45. But people in Preston County, WV are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Preston County, WV residents was 42.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

1.23%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

415 people

1%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

339 people

As of 2017, 1.23% of Preston County, WV residents (415 people) 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 Preston County, WV was 1%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Global Diversity

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

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 West Virginia was Mexico, the natal country of 2,603 West Virginia residents, followed by India with 2,547 and China with 2,428.

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Citizenship

99.2%

2017 Citizenship

99.4%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 99.2% of Preston County, WV residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Preston County, WV was 99.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Preston County, WV

  1. White (Non-Hispanic)

    31k ± 427

  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)

    1.48k ± 259

  3. White (Hispanic)

    449 ± 281

In 2017, there were 21 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (31k people) in Preston County, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.48k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 449 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

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

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    1,115 ± 163

  2. Gulf War (1990s)

    276 ± 83

  3. Gulf War (2001-)

    250 ± 79

Preston County, WV has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 4.04 times greater than any other conflict.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Preston County, WV was $106,600 in 2017, which is 0.464 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $105,900 to $106,600, a 0.661% increase. The homeownership rate in Preston County, WV is 81.8%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Preston County, WV have an average commute time of 28.9 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Preston County, WV is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$106,600

2017 Median

± $6,283

$105,900

2016 Median

± $5,309

In 2017, the median property value in Preston County, WV grew to to $106,600 from the previous year's value of $105,900.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Preston 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 Preston County, WV the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

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Household Income

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

$46,673

Median Household Income

± $1,820

12.4k

Number of Households

± 607

In 2017, the median household income of the 12.4k households in Preston County, WV grew to $46,673 from the previous year's value of $45,221.

The following chart displays the households in Preston 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 $75k - $100k range.

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Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Preston County, WV distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Preston County, WV the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

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Rent vs Own

81.8%

2017 Homeownership

81%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 81.8% of the housing units in Preston County, WV were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 81%.

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

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Commute Time

28.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Preston County, WV have a longer commute time (28.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 3.32% of the workforce in Preston County, WV have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Preston 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

    80.5%

  2. Carpooled

    12%

  3. Worked At Home

    4.27%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Preston County, WV was Drove Alone (80.5%), followed by those who Carpooled (12%) and those who Worked At Home (4.27%).

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.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Preston County, WV distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Preston County, WV have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

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