Ritchie County, WV

County

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    2024 Population
    8,286
    US Senator
    Shelley Moore Capito
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Jim Justice
    Republican Party
    2024 Median Age
    46.1
    2.33% 1-year decrease
    2024 Poverty Rate
    21.6%
    0.524% 1-year decrease
    2024 Median Household Income
    $50,582
    0.649% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $115,900
    7.51% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    3,184
    8.19% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Ritchie County, WV reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    99.1% of the residents in Ritchie County, WV are U.S. citizens.

    In 2024, the median property value in Ritchie County, WV was $115,900, and the homeownership rate was 84.2%.

    Most people in Ritchie County, WV drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 33 minutes. The average car ownership in Ritchie County, WV was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesWest Virginia

    Population & Diversity

    Ritchie County, WV is home to a population of 8.29k people, from which 99.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.45% of Ritchie County, WV residents were born outside of the country (120 people).

    In 2024, there were 72 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (7.99k people) in Ritchie County, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 111 Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 107 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    99.1%
    2024 Citizenship
    99.4%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 99.1% of Ritchie County, WV residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Ritchie County, WV was 99.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Ritchie County, WV
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      7.99k ± 10
    2. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
      111 ± 82
    3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
      107 ± 46
    0.712%
    Hispanic Population
    59 people

    In 2024, there were 72 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (7.99k people) in Ritchie County, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 111 Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 107 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    0.712% of the people in Ritchie County, WV are hispanic (59 people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Ritchie County, WV as a share of the total population.

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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
      2,614 ± 1,254 people
    2. Philippines
      2,231 ± 1,159 people
    3. India
      2,211 ± 1,154 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of West Virginia was Mexico, the natal country of 2,614 West Virginia residents, followed by Philippines with 2,231 and India with 2,211.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    1.45%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    120 people
    1.1%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    92 people

    As of 2024, 1.45% of Ritchie County, WV residents (120 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Ritchie County, WV was 1.1%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      114 ± 58
    2. Gulf War (1990s)
      106 ± 49
    3. Gulf War (2001-)
      70 ± 50

    Ritchie County, WV has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.08 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Ritchie County, WV.

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    Health

    92.2% of the population of Ritchie County, WV has health coverage, with 37.3% on employee plans, 22.3% on Medicaid, 19% on Medicare, 11.6% on non-group plans, and 2.13% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Ritchie County, WV see 8,383 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (8,383 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 8207 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 2042 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.8% were men and 50.2% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    8,383 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Ritchie County, WV

    Primary care physicians in Ritchie County, WV see an average of 8,383 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (8,383 patients).

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

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.7% under 18 years, 16.1% between 18 and 34 years, 40.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 22.7% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.8% were men and 50.2% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    7.82%
    Uninsured
    37.3%
    Employer Coverage
    22.3%
    Medicaid
    19%
    Medicare
    11.6%
    Non-Group
    2.13%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Ritchie County, WV grew by 11.9% from 6.99% to 7.82%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Ritchie County, WV changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 6.75 in Ritchie County, WV.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Ritchie County, WV.

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 40.8% in Ritchie County, WV.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Ritchie County, WV.

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 8.52% in Ritchie County, WV.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Ritchie County, WV.

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    Economy

    The economy of Ritchie County, WV employs 3.18k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Ritchie County, WV were Manufacturing (508 people), Public Administration (405 people), and Retail Trade (331 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($88,859), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($74,375), and Wholesale Trade ($66,000).

    Employment

    Occupations

    3.18k
    2024 Value
    ± 333
    8.19%
    1 Year growth
    ± 13.8%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Ritchie County, WV grew at a rate of 8.19%, from 2.94k employees to 3.18k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Ritchie County, WV, are Production Occupations (457 people), Construction & Extraction Occupations (367 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (357 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Ritchie County, WV.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    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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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    3.18k
    2024 Value
    ± 333
    8.19%
    1 Year growth
    ± 13.8%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Ritchie County, WV grew at a rate of 8.19%, from 2.94k employees to 3.18k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Ritchie County, WV, are Manufacturing (508 people), Public Administration (405 people), and Retail Trade (331 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Ritchie County, WV, though some of these residents may live in Ritchie County, WV and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $48,347
    Median earning men ± $9,289
    $27,688
    Median earning women ± $6,099

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($88,125), Manufacturing ($72,083), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($70,278).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($56,875), Public Administration ($48,108), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($47,917).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.
    Y-Axis
    0.583%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 690k people employed in West Virginia. This represents a 0.583% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 15%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in West Virginia.

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 14
      Other Services (except Public Administration)
    2. 12
      Retail Trade
    3. 12
      Construction

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $41.1k
      Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
    2. $37.9k
      Manufacturing
    3. $10.1k
      Wholesale Trade

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in West Virginia went to Donald J. Trump with 70% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (28.1%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.17%).

    Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice are the senators currently representing the state of West Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    West Virginia is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Ritchie County, WV. Showing the available data for West Virginia.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (70%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (28.1%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (1.17%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in West Virginia went to Donald J. Trump with 70% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (28.1%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.17%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in West Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from West Virginia

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.
    Shelley Moore Capito
    Senator from West Virginia2
    Assumed office on January 3, 2015
    Jim Justice
    Senator from West Virginia1
    Assumed office on January 14, 2025
    Inauguration delayed in order to finish his term as Governor of West Virginia.

    Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice are the senators currently representing West Virginia.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in West Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Ritchie County, WV was $115,900 in 2024, which is 0.348 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $107,800 to $115,900, a 7.51% increase. The homeownership rate in Ritchie County, WV is 84.2%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Ritchie County, WV have an average commute time of 33 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Ritchie County, WV is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 9.62% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Ritchie County, WV. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 3.02%.

    Housing

    Property

    $115,900
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$8,350
    $2,854
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$298

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Ritchie County, WV the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Ritchie County, WV compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    84.2%
    Homeownership
    2024
    62%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 84.2% of the housing units in Ritchie County, WV were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 84.3%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Ritchie County, WV compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $50,582
    Median Household Income
    ± $4,402
    3.39k
    Number of Households
    ± 334

    In 2024, the median household income of the 3.39k households in Ritchie County, WV grew to $50,582 from the previous year's value of $50,256.

    The following chart displays the households in Ritchie 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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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Ritchie County, WV is from West Virginia.
    0.443
    2024 Wage GINI in West Virginia
    0.443
    2023 Wage GINI in West Virginia

    In 2024, the income inequality in West Virginia was 0.443 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0426% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for West Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.474. 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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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (77%)
    2. Carpooled (11.9%)
    3. Worked At Home (9.76%)

    In 2024, 77% of workers in Ritchie County, WV drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.9%) and those who worked at home (9.76%).

    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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    Commute Time

    33 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Ritchie County, WV have a longer commute time (33 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.18% of the workforce in Ritchie County, WV have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Ritchie County, WV compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

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

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 9.62% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Ritchie County, WV. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 3.02%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

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    Poverty & Diversity

    21.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Ritchie County, WV (1.74k out of 8.08k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 55 - 64, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Ritchie County, WV is White, followed by Asian 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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    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 24.5% of the children was living in poverty in Ritchie County, WV. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.8%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 82.5 in Ritchie County, WV. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 111% per 100,000 population.

    The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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