Nicholas County, West Virginia Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 24th-largest in West Virginia

The population of Nicholas County, West Virginia is 24,446 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 24th-largest county in West Virginia. The median household income is $49,280, the median home value is $114,200, and the median age is 46.0.

The population of Nicholas County has declined 8.4% since 2010 (26,219 → 24,017), a -0.62% annualized rate.

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

24,446

Population

-0.62%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$49,280

Median Income

$114,200

Median Home Value

Nicholas County covers 647 sq mi of land at 37.8 people per square mile.

About Nicholas County, WV

Nicholas County is a county in West Virginia with a population of 24,446. It ranks #24 among counties in West Virginia by population. The median age is 46.0, older than the national median. The population is 50.3% male and 49.7% female.

The median household income in Nicholas County is $49,280, below the US median of $74,580. 11.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $114,200, with monthly rent averaging $669. The homeownership rate of 82.3% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Nicholas County reflects 19.0% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 3.8% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 34.2 minutes each way.

Nicholas County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Nicholas County had a population of 26,219 in 2010 and 24,017 in 2024, a -8.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 26,255 in 2012. Average annual growth rate: -0.62%.

24,017

Population (2024)

26,219

Population (2010)

26,255

Peak (2012)

-0.62%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	26,219	-	-	estimate
2011	26,207	-12	-0.05%	estimate
2012	26,255	+48	+0.18%	estimate
2013	25,943	-312	-1.19%	estimate
2014	25,712	-231	-0.89%	estimate
2015	25,547	-165	-0.64%	estimate
2016	25,372	-175	-0.69%	estimate
2017	25,126	-246	-0.97%	estimate
2018	24,877	-249	-0.99%	estimate
2019	24,569	-308	-1.24%	estimate
2020	24,562	-7	-0.03%	estimate
2021	24,438	-124	-0.50%	estimate
2022	24,266	-172	-0.70%	estimate
2023	24,104	-162	-0.67%	estimate
2024	24,017	-87	-0.36%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	96.7%
Black or African American	0.3%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.2%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

46.0

Median Age

49.7%

Female

50.3%

Male

23.6%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

4.6%

5–9

6.5%

10–14

5.5%

15–19

5.7%

20–24

4.4%

25–34

10.4%

35–44

11.6%

45–54

12.8%

55–59

6.6%

60–64

8.3%

65–74

14.2%

75–84

7.6%

85+

1.8%

Children (under 15): 16.6% · Seniors (65+): 23.6%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$49,280$-8,637 vs state
Mean household income	$69,139
Per-capita income	$29,257
Poverty rate	11.6%-0.3% vs state
Unemployment rate	4.1%
Employment-to-population	43.1%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

27.3%

Agriculture

8.0%

Construction

7.8%

Education & health care

7.5%

Arts, entertainment & food

7.5%

Retail trade

7.2%

Manufacturing

6.6%

Finance & real estate

6.1%

The largest employment sector in Nicholas County is professional & business services, accounting for 27.3% of workers.

How residents commute

1.3%

Drive alone

1.0%

Carpool

84.7%

Public transit

3.8%

Work from home

34.2 min

Avg commute

Housing

$114,200$-41,400 vs state

Median home value

$669

Median rent

82.3%

Homeownership rate

12,540

Total housing units

76.5%

Occupied

23.5%

Vacant

17.7%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

93.8%

With health insurance

88.0%

With broadband internet

14.9%

Foreign-born

8.2%

Veterans (18+)

22.2%

With a disability

98.7%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

88.0%

High School+

19.0%

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

Nicholas County, West Virginia has a population of 24,446 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 24th-largest county in West Virginia. Population density is 38 people per square mile.

The population of Nicholas County has declined 8.4% since 2010 (26,219 → 24,017), a -0.62% annualized rate.

The median household income in Nicholas County, West Virginia is $49,280, with mean (average) household income of $69,139 and per-capita income of $29,257. 11.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Nicholas County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (96.7%), Hispanic or Latino (1.2%), Black or African American (0.3%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Nicholas County, West Virginia is 46.0 years. Residents are 49.7% female and 50.3% male.

The median home value in Nicholas County is $114,200 and median monthly rent is $669. 82.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 12,540 total housing units, 23.5% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Nicholas County, West Virginia is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 27.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 4.1%.

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