Hardy County, West Virginia Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 37th-largest in West Virginia

The population of Hardy County, West Virginia is 14,236 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 37th-largest county in West Virginia. The median household income is $49,302, the median home value is $159,700, and the median age is 47.3.

The population of Hardy County has grown 2.1% since 2010 (14,044 → 14,335), a +0.15% annualized rate.

Hardy County within West Virginia · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

14,236

Population

+0.15%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$49,302

Median Income

$159,700

Median Home Value

Hardy County covers 582 sq mi of land at 24.4 people per square mile.

About Hardy County, WV

Hardy County is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 56.1% of the population. Hardy County is a county in West Virginia with a population of 14,236. It ranks #37 among counties in West Virginia by population.

Incomes run on the lower side: a median household income of $49,302, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty sits at 14.9%, above the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $159,700, with typical rent around $820.

College attainment is 15.7%, below the national 35.0%. About 7.3% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 29 minutes each way.

The large foreign-born share is a defining thread in Hardy County, shaping language, household composition, and the labor force behind the economic figures above.

Hardy County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Hardy County had a population of 14,044 in 2010 and 14,335 in 2024, a 2.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 14,335 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.15%.

Hardy County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

14,335

Population (2024)

14,044

Population (2010)

14,335

Peak (2024)

0.15%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	14,044	-	-	estimate
2011	13,967	-77	-0.55%	estimate
2012	13,857	-110	-0.79%	estimate
2013	13,977	+120	+0.87%	estimate
2014	13,964	-13	-0.09%	estimate
2015	13,833	-131	-0.94%	estimate
2016	13,837	+4	+0.03%	estimate
2017	13,859	+22	+0.16%	estimate
2018	13,789	-70	-0.51%	estimate
2019	13,825	+36	+0.26%	estimate
2020	14,241	+416	+3.01%	estimate
2021	14,150	-91	-0.64%	estimate
2022	14,196	+46	+0.33%	estimate
2023	14,293	+97	+0.68%	estimate
2024	14,335	+42	+0.29%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	90.0%
Black or African American	4.9%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0.8%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

47.3

Median Age

49.1%

Female

50.9%

Male

23.2%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

4.6%

5–9

5.6%

10–14

4.8%

15–19

5.2%

20–24

4.8%

25–34

12.2%

35–44

10.2%

45–54

13.4%

55–59

6.4%

60–64

9.6%

65–74

13.9%

75–84

7.5%

85+

1.8%

Children (under 15): 15.0% · Seniors (65+): 23.2%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$49,302$-8,615 vs state
Mean household income	$67,480
Per-capita income	$29,876
Poverty rate	14.9%+3.0% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.3%
Employment-to-population	55.3%

Top Industries by Employment

Manufacturing

21.7%

Professional & business services

17.7%

Education & health care

7.4%

Finance & real estate

7.1%

Construction

6.1%

Retail trade

5.7%

Agriculture

5.3%

Information

5.1%

The largest employment sector in Hardy County is manufacturing, accounting for 21.7% of workers.

How residents commute

0.4%

Drive alone

2.5%

Carpool

77.5%

Public transit

7.3%

Work from home

28.6 min

Avg commute

Housing

$159,700+$4,100 vs state

Median home value

$820

Median rent

79.5%

Homeownership rate

8,217

Total housing units

71.9%

Occupied

28.1%

Vacant

20.5%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

93.3%

With health insurance

85.0%

With broadband internet

56.1%

Foreign-born

8.9%

Veterans (18+)

18.6%

With a disability

96.2%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

86.6%

High School+

15.7%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in West Virginia

Charleston (47,918)Huntington (46,189)Morgantown (30,273)Parkersburg (29,461)Wheeling (26,670)Martinsburg (18,805)Weirton (18,785)Fairmont (18,303)Beckley (16,977)Clarksburg (15,829)All West Virginia cities →

Other counties in West Virginia

Kanawha County (178,198)Berkeley County (126,165)Monongalia County (106,520)Cabell County (93,300)Wood County (83,829)Raleigh County (73,666)Harrison County (65,407)Mercer County (59,062)Jefferson County (58,546)Putnam County (57,250)All West Virginia counties →

Part of West Virginia

West Virginia demographic profile All West Virginia data →

Metro areas in West Virginia

Washington (6,263,796)Huntington (372,801)Hagerstown (298,525)Charleston (207,456)Winchester (144,676)Morgantown (140,724)Wheeling (138,015)Weirton (115,566)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Hardy County, West Virginia has a population of 14,236 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 37th-largest county in West Virginia. Population density is 24 people per square mile.

The population of Hardy County has grown 2.1% since 2010 (14,044 → 14,335), a +0.15% annualized rate.

The median household income in Hardy County, West Virginia is $49,302, with mean (average) household income of $67,480 and per-capita income of $29,876. 14.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Hardy County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (90.0%), Black or African American (4.9%), Hispanic or Latino (0.8%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Hardy County, West Virginia is 47.3 years. Residents are 49.1% female and 50.9% male.

The median home value in Hardy County is $159,700 and median monthly rent is $820. 79.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 8,217 total housing units, 28.1% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Hardy County, West Virginia is manufacturing, employing 21.7% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.3%.

Charleston is among the largest cities associated with Hardy County, West Virginia, with a population of 47,918.