Wetzel County, West Virginia Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 38th-largest in West Virginia

The population of Wetzel County, West Virginia is 14,233 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 38th-largest county in West Virginia. The median household income is $53,341, the median home value is $102,800, and the median age is 45.6.

The population of Wetzel County has declined 16.8% since 2010 (16,537 → 13,766), a -1.30% annualized rate.

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

14,233

Population

-1.30%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$53,341

Median Income

$102,800

Median Home Value

Wetzel County covers 358 sq mi of land at 39.7 people per square mile.

About Wetzel County, WV

Wetzel County is a county in West Virginia with a population of 14,233. It ranks #38 among counties in West Virginia by population. The median age is 45.6, older than the national median. The population is 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

The median household income in Wetzel County is $53,341, below the US median of $74,580. 10.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $102,800, with monthly rent averaging $703. The homeownership rate of 82.4% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Wetzel County reflects 13.5% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 2.4% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 29.7 minutes each way.

Wetzel County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Wetzel County had a population of 16,537 in 2010 and 13,766 in 2024, a -16.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 16,537 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -1.30%.

13,766

Population (2024)

16,537

Population (2010)

16,537

Peak (2010)

-1.30%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	16,537	-	-	estimate
2011	16,370	-167	-1.01%	estimate
2012	16,345	-25	-0.15%	estimate
2013	16,114	-231	-1.41%	estimate
2014	15,962	-152	-0.94%	estimate
2015	15,783	-179	-1.12%	estimate
2016	15,673	-110	-0.70%	estimate
2017	15,444	-229	-1.46%	estimate
2018	15,302	-142	-0.92%	estimate
2019	15,130	-172	-1.12%	estimate
2020	14,412	-718	-4.75%	estimate
2021	14,211	-201	-1.39%	estimate
2022	14,027	-184	-1.29%	estimate
2023	13,972	-55	-0.39%	estimate
2024	13,766	-206	-1.47%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	95.5%
Black or African American	0.5%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0.5%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

45.6

Median Age

50.1%

Female

49.9%

Male

22.7%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.8%

5–9

6.9%

10–14

5.1%

15–19

5.4%

20–24

5.6%

25–34

10.7%

35–44

10.3%

45–54

12.7%

55–59

8.5%

60–64

6.4%

65–74

12.6%

75–84

8.2%

85+

1.9%

Children (under 15): 17.8% · Seniors (65+): 22.7%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$53,341$-4,576 vs state
Mean household income	$68,584
Per-capita income	$28,398
Poverty rate	10.8%-1.1% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.7%
Employment-to-population	43.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

20.2%

Retail trade

13.0%

Manufacturing

12.2%

Construction

8.7%

Agriculture

7.6%

Public administration

7.2%

Education & health care

6.3%

Arts, entertainment & food

5.4%

The largest employment sector in Wetzel County is professional & business services, accounting for 20.2% of workers.

How residents commute

0.1%

Drive alone

3.9%

Carpool

82.9%

Public transit

2.4%

Work from home

29.7 min

Avg commute

Housing

$102,800$-52,800 vs state

Median home value

$703

Median rent

82.4%

Homeownership rate

7,302

Total housing units

81.1%

Occupied

18.9%

Vacant

17.6%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

96.0%

With health insurance

86.7%

With broadband internet

19.6%

Foreign-born

8.0%

Veterans (18+)

22.4%

With a disability

99.4%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

89.9%

High School+

13.5%

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

Wetzel County, West Virginia has a population of 14,233 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 38th-largest county in West Virginia. Population density is 40 people per square mile.

The population of Wetzel County has declined 16.8% since 2010 (16,537 → 13,766), a -1.30% annualized rate.

The median household income in Wetzel County, West Virginia is $53,341, with mean (average) household income of $68,584 and per-capita income of $28,398. 10.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Wetzel County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (95.5%), Black or African American (0.5%), Hispanic or Latino (0.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Wetzel County, West Virginia is 45.6 years. Residents are 50.1% female and 49.9% male.

The median home value in Wetzel County is $102,800 and median monthly rent is $703. 82.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 7,302 total housing units, 18.9% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Wetzel County, West Virginia is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 20.2% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.7%.

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