How many people live in McDowell County, WV?
Updated Apr. 6, 2026Refreshed annually
In 2024, there were about 17,100 people living in McDowell County, WV. That makes McDowell County the 33rd-most populous county in West Virginia. It is home to 0.97% of people living in the state.
17.1K
population of McDowell County, WV (2024)
0.97%
County share of the West Virginia population (2024)
About 17,100 people lived in McDowell County, WV in 2024.
Population estimates, 2000–2024
What are McDowell County, WV’s age demographics?
About 3,900 McDowell County residents are aged 65 and older in 2024. That represents 22.9% of its population. For comparison, the age group represents 21.9% of West Virginia’s population and 18% in the US overall.
Another 3,100 McDowell County residents, or 18.3% of the population, were children under 18. For comparison, the age group represents 19.7% of West Virginia’s population and 21.6% in the US overall.
A higher share of McDowell County, WV's population is aged 65 or older than the US as a whole.
Population estimates by age group, (2024)
What are McDowell County, WV’s racial and ethnic demographics?
Non-Hispanic white residents make up 86% of the McDowell County, WV population, higher than the national share of 57.5%.
In contrast, McDowell County’s Hispanic population accounts for 2.7%, below the 20% nationwide, and the non-Hispanic Asian population makes up 0.2% of the county, compared with 6.5% nationally.
Racial and ethnic make up differ based on location. These figures reflect how people identified their race alone (not in combination with other races), and separate out Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, following Census reporting standards.
McDowell County, WV has a higher share of a non-Hispanic Black or African American population than West Virginia as a whole.
Population estimates by race and ethnicity, (2024)
The largest city or town in McDowell County, WV is Welch with about 3,400 residents in 2024.
Cities and towns in McDowell County, WV ranked by population
Population (2024), includes only portions within county
| City or town | Population | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Welch | 3,413 |
| 2. | Gary | 687 |
| 3. | War | 546 |
| 4. | Kimball | 248 |
| 5. | Iaeger | 243 |
| 6. | Northfork | 205 |
| 7. | Davy | 185 |
| 8. | Bradshaw | 182 |
| 9. | Keystone | 153 |
| 10. | Anawalt | 148 |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
