Preston County, WV Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze local population trends, population density map, housing costs, and the local economy.
Area Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to state and national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population: density and quick facts
| Metric | Preston County | West Virginia Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,680 | 1,774,419 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 51.7 | 73.3 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | 0.18% | -0.50% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 41.0 | 40.4 | 37.1 |
| Households | 12,797 | 721,348 | 128,459,983 |
Population in Preston County grew by 13.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 34,204 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
Preston County has a the economy index of D, which means it is barely prosperous.
| Metric | Preston County | West Virginia Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,375 | $57,886 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 4.49% | 4.44% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
The median household income in Preston County is about 6% higher than in West Virginia.
Housing
| Metric | Preston County | West Virginia Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $84,677 | $94,066 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $753 | $849 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 80.6% | 74.3% | 65.1% |
The median home price in Preston County is about 9.4 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $753 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in Preston County spend about 57 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 237 hours, about 9.9 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | Preston County | West Virginia Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 28.4 | 21.6 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 56.8 | 43.2 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 237 | 180 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $7,340 | $5,581 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 7.2% | 8.0% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 4,179 | 7,243 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 873 | 1,052 | 1,355 |
Fastest commutes among counties in
West Virginia:
Randolph County (16.0 min), Pocahontas County (17.3 min), Ohio County (17.3 min).
Slowest:
Morgan County (38.7 min), Hampshire County (36.8 min), Monroe County (33.2 min).
The average commute time in Preston County is 28 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in West Virginia.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
Preston County has a education index of D, which means it is barely educated.
| Metric | Preston County | West Virginia Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 21.3% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.39 | 2.40 | 2.54 |
Highest education index among counties in
West Virginia:
Monongalia County (0.4), Ohio County (0.3), Jefferson County (0.3).
Lowest:
McDowell County (0.1), Lincoln County (0.2), Clay County (0.2).
Health
Preston County has a health index of C, which means it is somewhat healthy.
| Metric | Preston County | West Virginia Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 77.1 | 76.1 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 20.7% | 23.2% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 24.1% | 25.3% | 19.0% |
Highest health index among counties in
West Virginia:
Monongalia County (0.8), Jefferson County (0.8), Putnam County (0.8).
Lowest:
McDowell County (0.7), Lincoln County (0.8), Mingo County (0.8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Preston County, West Virginia.
What is the population of Preston County, West Virginia?
The population of Preston County, West Virginia is 33,680, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of Preston County, West Virginia?
The population density of Preston County, West Virginia is 51.7 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in Preston County, West Virginia?
The median household income in Preston County, West Virginia is $61,375, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in Preston County, West Virginia?
The median home price in Preston County, West Virginia is $84,677, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in Preston County, West Virginia?
The unemployment rate in Preston County, West Virginia is 6.2%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.