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Mercer County, West Virginia (WV)

County population in 2022: 58,938 (59% urban, 41% rural); it was 62,980 in 2000
County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 9,043
County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 10,384
County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 20,373
Renter-occupied apartments: 7,176 (it was 6,136 in 2000)
% of renters here:

23%
State:

27%

Land area: 420 sq. mi.

Water area: 0.3 sq. mi.

Population density: 140 people per square mile   (average).

March 2022 cost of living index in Mercer County: 81.4 (low, U.S. average is 100)

Industries providing employment: Educational, health and social services (32.7%), Retail trade (13.7%).

Type of workers:

  • Private wage or salary: 76%
  • Government: 20%
  • Self-employed, not incorporated: 3%
  • Unpaid family work: 0%
  • OSM Map
  • General Map
  • Google Map
  • MSN Map

  • Races in Mercer County, WV (2022)
    • 52,06588.3%White Non-Hispanic Alone
    • 3,4035.8%Black Non-Hispanic Alone
    • 2,2743.9%Two or more races
    • 8041.4%Hispanic or Latino
    • 1560.3%Asian alone
    • 1420.2%Some other race alone
    • 1110.2%American Indian and Alaska Native alone
Median resident age:

43.6 years
West Virginia median age:

42.9 years
Males: 28,311  (48.0%)
Females: 30,627  (52.0%)
Mercer County, WV forum
Recent posts about Mercer County, West Virginia on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. Mercer County is mentioned 119 times on our forum:
COVID-19 in WV  (64 replies)
I-64 Expansion  (58 replies)
Tax consumption instead of earnings in w. Virginia  (21 replies)
Retirement  (58 replies)
Where people go when they leave WV.  (12 replies)
Please recommend an area in WV for me!  (13 replies)
Average household size:
Mercer County:

2.0 people
West Virginia:

2 people

Estimated median household income in 2022: $45,662 ($26,628 in 1999)
This county:

$45,662
West Virginia:

$54,329

Median contract rent in 2022 for apartments: $534 (lower quartile is $419, upper quartile is $651)
This county:

$534
State:

$606


Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $122,442 (it was $56,200 in 2000)
Mercer:

$122,442
West Virginia:

$155,100
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $58,201 - $198,610
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,062
Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $356

Institutionalized population: 410

Crime in 2021 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 1
  • Rapes: 5
  • Robberies: 2
  • Assaults: 51
  • Burglaries: 69
  • Thefts: 124
  • Auto thefts: 23

Crime in 2020 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 6
  • Rapes: 11
  • Robberies: 10
  • Assaults: 47
  • Burglaries: 63
  • Thefts: 105
  • Auto thefts: 35
Mercer County, WV map from a distance

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 2022: 1 building, cost: $253,200
  • 2021: 5 buildings, average cost: $154,300
  • 2020: 5 buildings, average cost: $163,400
  • 2019: 4 buildings, average cost: $154,300
  • 2018: 5 buildings, average cost: $130,000
  • 2017: 5 buildings, average cost: $130,000
  • 2016: 2 buildings, average cost: $286,000
  • 2015: 2 buildings, average cost: $286,000
  • 2014: 3 buildings, average cost: $170,300
  • 2013: 35 buildings, average cost: $98,500
  • 2012: 7 buildings, average cost: $151,500
  • 2011: 2 buildings, average cost: $192,200
  • 2010: 3 buildings, average cost: $352,700
  • 2009: 17 buildings, average cost: $93,500
  • 2008: 14 buildings, average cost: $125,600
  • 2007: 14 buildings, average cost: $180,500
  • 2006: 14 buildings, average cost: $99,600
  • 2005: 24 buildings, average cost: $112,300
  • 2004: 17 buildings, average cost: $72,600
  • 2003: 17 buildings, average cost: $101,400
  • 2002: 12 buildings, average cost: $83,400
  • 2001: 17 buildings, average cost: $77,800
  • 2000: 26 buildings, average cost: $73,800
  • 1999: 13 buildings, average cost: $71,200
  • 1998: 18 buildings, average cost: $55,400
  • 1997: 11 buildings, average cost: $71,500
Number of permits per 10,000 Mercer, WV residents
Average permit cost in Mercer, WV

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2022: $760 (0.5%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2022: $469 (0.5%)

Distribution of median household income in Mercer, WV in 2022
Distribution of house value in Mercer, WV in 2022
Distribution of rent paid by renters in Mercer, WV in 2022
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 20.0%
Mercer County:

20.0%
West Virginia:

17.9%
(19.6% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 25.9% for Black residents, 16.3% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 0.8% for American Indian residents, 20.0% for other race residents, 22.0% for two or more races residents)

Median age of residents in 2022: 43.6 years old
(Males: 41.7 years old, Females: 45.0 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 45.0 years old, Black residents: 33.6 years old, American Indian residents: 17.6 years old, Asian residents: 38.4 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 32.1 years old, Other race residents: 66.2 years old)

Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mercer County is $396 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $459 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $621 a month.

Cities in this county include: Bluefield, Princeton, Bluewell, Brush Fork, Athens, Montcalm, Lashmeet, Bramwell, Matoaka, Oakvale.

Mercer County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Click to draw/clear Mercer County borders

Neighboring counties: Calloway County, Kentucky , Dent County, Missouri , Gasconade County, Missouri , Montezuma County, Colorado , James City County, Virginia , Sharp County, Arkansas , Stone County, Missouri , Portsmouth city, Virginia .

Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

4.3%
West Virginia:

4.0%

Unemployment by year in Mercer, WV
County total employment by year in Mercer, WV
County average yearly wages by year in Mercer, WV

Current college students: 3,223
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 86.4%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 20.6%

Number of foreign born residents: 530 (65.3% naturalized citizens)

Mercer County:

0.9%
Whole state:

1.8%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
  • Year of entry for the foreign-born population
  • 1202010 or later
  • 1292000 to 2009
  • 431990 to 1999
  • 931980 to 1989
  • 671970 to 1979
  • 234Before 1970

Mean travel time to work (commute):  minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 83.1%

Mercer County marital status for males Mercer County marital status for females

Housing units in structures:

  • One, detached: 19,674
  • One, attached: 430
  • Two: 524
  • 3 or 4: 663
  • 5 to 9: 1,101
  • 10 to 19: 499
  • 20 to 49: 260
  • 50 or more: 359
  • Mobile homes: 5,798

Housing units in Mercer County with a mortgage: 7,074 (225 second mortgage, 23 home equity loan, 165 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 163

Here:

4.1% with mortgage
State:

97.1% with mortgage

Religion statistics for Mercer County

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Evangelical Protestant17,020100
Mainline Protestant6,68351
Catholic1,5602
Other4865
Black Protestant957
Orthodox761
None36,344-
Mercer County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 14
Mercer County:

2.29 / 10,000 pop.
State:

2.41 / 10,000 pop.

Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
Here:

0.16 / 10,000 pop.
West Virginia:

0.28 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (no gas): 4
This county:

0.65 / 10,000 pop.
West Virginia:

1.09 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (with gas): 36
Mercer County:

5.88 / 10,000 pop.
West Virginia:

5.38 / 10,000 pop.

Number of full-service restaurants: 38
This county:

6.20 / 10,000 pop.
State:

6.22 / 10,000 pop.

Adult diabetes rate:
Mercer County:

13.5%
West Virginia:

12.2%

Adult obesity rate:
Mercer County:

28.5%
State:

31.1%

Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:

13.4%
State:

13.1%

Agriculture in Mercer County:

Average size of farms: 142 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $7,022
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $83.06
The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 14.91%
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 75.07%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $6,662
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 14.89%
Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 0.08%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $22,921
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 97.20%
Average age of principal farm operators: 58 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 10.85
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 0.07%
Corn for grain: 47 harvested acres
Vegetables: 36 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 61 acres

Earthquake activity:

Mercer County-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above West Virginia state average. It is 10% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 8/23/2011 at 17:51:04, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.7 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 180.6 miles away from Mercer County center
On 8/9/2020 at 12:07:37, a magnitude 5.1 (5.1 MW, Depth: 4.7 mi) earthquake occurred 60.4 miles away from the county center
On 7/27/1980 at 18:52:21, a magnitude 5.2 (5.1 MB, 4.7 MS, 5.0 UK, 5.2 UK) earthquake occurred 163.5 miles away from the county center
On 11/2/2006 at 17:53:02, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 MB, Depth: 0.6 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 43.3 miles away from the county center
On 11/23/2006 at 10:42:57, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 MB) earthquake occurred 47.0 miles away from Mercer County center
On 6/29/1996 at 19:30:42, a magnitude 4.1 (4.1 MB, 3.9 LG, Depth: 0.6 mi) earthquake occurred 45.1 miles away from the county center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Most recent natural disasters:

  • West Virginia Covid-19 Pandemic, Incident Period: January 20, 2020, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4517-WV: April 3, 2020, FEMA Id: 4517, Natural disaster type: Other
  • West Virginia Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, Incident Period: March 03, 2015 to March 15, 2015, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4210: March 31, 2015, FEMA Id: 4210, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
  • West Virginia Hurricane Sandy, Incident Period: October 29, 2012 to November 08, 2012, Emergency Declared EM-3358: October 29, 2012, FEMA Id: 3358, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • West Virginia Severe Storms, Incident Period: June 29, 2012 to July 10, 2012, Emergency Declared EM-3345: June 30, 2012, FEMA Id: 3345, Natural disaster type: Storm
  • West Virginia Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds, Incident Period: June 29, 2012 to July 08, 2012, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4071: July 23, 2012, FEMA Id: 4071, Natural disaster type: Storm, Wind
  • West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides, Incident Period: March 12, 2010 to April 09, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1893: March 29, 2010, FEMA Id: 1893, Natural disaster type: Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
  • West Virginia Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, Incident Period: December 18, 2009 to December 20, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1881: March 02, 2010, FEMA Id: 1881, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
  • West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides, Incident Period: May 03, 2009 to June 08, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1838: May 15, 2009, FEMA Id: 1838, Natural disaster type: Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
  • West Virginia Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3221: September 05, 2005, FEMA Id: 3221, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides, Incident Period: May 27, 2004 to June 28, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1522: June 07, 2004, FEMA Id: 1522, Natural disaster type: Storm, Landslide, Flood
  • 13 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.

The number of natural disasters in Mercer County (23) is greater than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 17
Emergencies Declared: 5

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 12, Storms: 10, Landslides: 6, Mudslides: 4, Winter Storms: 4, Hurricanes: 2, Blizzard: 1, Drought: 1, Fire: 1, Heavy Rain: 1, Snowfall: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Wind: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Means of transportation to work in 2022 - Mercer

Means of transportation to work:

  • Drove a car alone: 17,678 (82.4%)
  • Carpooled: 1,452 (6.8%)
  • Bus: 44 (0.2%)
  • Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 224 (1.0%)
  • Walked: 487 (2.3%)
  • Worked at home: 1,440 (6.7%)
Class of Workers in 2022
Most common industries in 2022 (%)
Males Females
Most common industries for males in 2022


  • Health care and social assistance (31%)
  • Educational services (18%)
  • Retail trade (12%)
  • Accommodation and food services (10%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (4%)
  • Public administration (4%)
  • Other services, except public administration (3%)

Most common industries for females in 2022


  • Health care and social assistance (32%)
  • Educational services (18%)
  • Retail trade (12%)
  • Accommodation and food services (10%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (4%)
  • Public administration (4%)
  • Other services, except public administration (3%)

Most common occupations in 2022 (%)
Males Females
Most common occupations for males in 2022


  • Production occupations (10%)
  • Transportation occupations (9%)
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (9%)
  • Management occupations (8%)
  • Construction and extraction occupations (8%)
  • Sales and related occupations (8%)
  • Material moving occupations (7%)

Most common occupations for females in 2022


  • Office and administrative support occupations (18%)
  • Educational instruction, and library occupations (12%)
  • Sales and related occupations (10%)
  • Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (8%)
  • Healthcare support occupations (8%)
  • Food preparation and serving related occupations (7%)
  • Health technologists and technicians (6%)

Most common places of birth for foreign-born residents


  • Italy (18%)
  • England (13%)
  • Morocco (12%)
  • Nigeria (8%)
  • Philippines (6%)
  • Pakistan (5%)
  • Netherlands (5%)

Most common first ancestries reported in Mercer County


  • English (22%)
  • American (19%)
  • Irish (10%)
  • German (8%)
  • Italian (4%)
  • Scotch-Irish (2%)
  • Scottish (2%)

Owners and renters by unit type
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders

People in group quarters in Mercer County, West Virginia in 2010:

  • 671 people in college/university student housing
  • 391 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
  • 88 people in group homes intended for adults
  • 14 people in residential treatment centers for adults
  • 13 people in correctional facilities intended for juveniles
  • 6 people in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-correctional)
  • 4 people in workers' group living quarters and job corps centers

People in group quarters in Mercer County, West Virginia in 2000:

  • 654 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
  • 449 people in nursing homes
  • 47 people in homes for the mentally retarded
  • 39 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 35 people in homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse
  • 17 people in short-term care, detention or diagnostic centers for delinquent children
  • 13 people in other group homes
  • 5 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
  • 2 people in unknown juvenile institutions
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2020 was $50,206.

4.59% of this county's 2021 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2020 ($38,047 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

4.59%
West Virginia average:

5.74%


10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
1.70% relocated from other counties in West Virginia ($13,315 average AGI)
2.90% relocated from other states ($24,732 average AGI)
Mercer County:

2.90%
West Virginia average:

3.02%

Residents relocating <b>from</b> other counties or countries

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2020 and 2021:
from Tazewell County, VA  0.52% ($36,358 average AGI)
from McDowell County, WV  0.42% ($33,736)
from Raleigh County, WV  0.35% ($32,690)
from Summers County, WV  0.13% ($40,296)
from Monroe County, WV  0.12% ($33,320)
from Kanawha County, WV  0.12% ($49,958)
from Wyoming County, WV  0.10% ($39,150)


4.50% of this county's 2020 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2021 ($39,475 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

4.50%
West Virginia average:

5.65%


10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
1.38% relocated to other counties in West Virginia ($9,354 average AGI)
3.12% relocated to other states ($30,121 average AGI)
Mercer County:

3.12%
West Virginia average:

2.93%

Residents relocating <b>to</b> other counties or countries

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2020 and 2021:
to Tazewell County, VA  0.45% ($38,849 average AGI)
to Raleigh County, WV  0.34% ($42,232)
to McDowell County, WV  0.18% ($18,973)
to Kanawha County, WV  0.14% ($29,643)
to Summers County, WV  0.13% ($39,269)
to Giles County, VA  0.12% ($43,920)
to Monroe County, WV  0.10% ($25,550)

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 12.4
Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 11.8

Births per 1000 population in Mercer County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 12.5
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2009: 13.5
Deaths per 1000 population from 2010 to 2020: 15.1

Deaths per 1000 population in Mercer County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 8.2
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 6.8

Infant deaths per 1000 population in Mercer County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2018: 8.9%
Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2018: 3.4%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Mercer County
All 18-64 40-64 50-64 Under 19
Population without health insurance coverage in Mercer County
18-64 population without health insurance coverage in Mercer County
40-64 population without health insurance coverage in Mercer County
50-64 population without health insurance coverage in Mercer County
Population under 19 years without health insurance coverage in Mercer County

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 14,794 (10,563 aged, 4,231 disabled)
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 875 (6%)
Persons enrolled in Medicare
Aged persons enrolled in Medicare
Disabled persons enrolled in Medicare

Most common underlying causes of death in Mercer County, West Virginia in 1999 - 2019:

  • Atherosclerotic heart disease (1,293)
  • Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (1,118)
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified (1,113)
  • Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (838)
  • Unspecified dementia (748)
  • Congestive heart failure (514)
  • Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (407)
  • Pneumonia, unspecified (367)
  • Unspecified diabetes mellitus, without complications (354)
  • Alzheimer disease, unspecified (299)

Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 14%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 9%

Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 4.83
Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 28,524
Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 768
Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 150,896

General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,128
Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,320
Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 6

Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 36
Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 67

Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 8

Homicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 85.6. This is more than state average.

Mechanisms of homicide
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
  • Firearm - 64.7
  • Other - 20.8

Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 219.7. This is more than state average.

Mechanisms of suicide
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
  • Firearm - 157.2
  • Other - 62.4

Household type by relationship:

Households: 58,938
  • Male householders: 11,242 (2,931 living alone), Female householders: 13,948 (4,535 living alone)
  • 11,092 spouses (10,943 opposite-sex spouses), 2,014 unmarried partners, (1,986 opposite-sex unmarried partners), 13,845 children (12,197 natural, 820 adopted, 867 stepchildren), 1,800 grandchildren, 352 brothers or sisters, 619 parents, 130 foster children, 1,017 other relatives, 1,573 non-relatives
  • In group quarters: 1,340

Size of family households: 8,224 2-persons, 3,569 3-persons, 2,580 4-persons, 1,106 5-persons, 411 6-persons, 221 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 7,481 1-person, 1,307 2-persons, 144 3-persons, 63 4-persons, 2 5-persons.

6,464 married couples with children.
3,399 single-parent households (700 men, 2,699 women).

97.5% of residents of Mercer speak English at home.
1.2% of residents speak Spanish at home (67% speak English very well, 23% speak English well, 10% speak English not well).
0.6% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (63% speak English very well, 31% speak English well, 6% speak English not well).
0.3% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (93% speak English very well, 4% speak English well, 3% speak English not well).
0.3% of residents speak other language at home (33% speak English very well, 6% speak English well, 60% speak English not well).

In fiscal year 2004:

Federal Government expenditure: $485,006,000 ($7,814 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $13,908,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $233,334,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $123,602,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $1,094,000
Federal grants: $99,700,000
Federal procurement contracts: $3,847,000 ($304,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $23,429,000 ($7,778,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $7,975,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $7,455,000
Federal Government insurance: $48,855,000

Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:

Births: 3,868
Here:

63 per 1000 residents
State:

60 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 4,382
Here:

71 per 1000 residents
State:

61 per 1000 residents

Net international migration: +71
Here:

+1 per 1000 residents
State:

+2 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: -888
Here -14 per 1000 residents
State +6 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Mercer County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 4.70 millions of gallons per day (1% from ground, 99% from surface)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:

6.4
State:

6.5

Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:

4.8
State:

4.7

Year house built in Mercer County, West Virginia
  • Year house built in Mercer County, West Virginia
  • 1122020 or later
  • 1,2292010 to 2019
  • 3,4682000 to 2009
  • 4,1701990 to 1999
  • 3,6851980 to 1989
  • 4,4701970 to 1979
  • 2,8151960 to 1969
  • 2,6071950 to 1959
  • 1,8021940 to 1949
  • 4,4621939 or earlier
Rooms in houses/apartments in Mercer County, West Virginia
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Mercer County, West Virginia
  • Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Mercer County, West Virginia
  • 1581 room
  • 1012 rooms
  • 2913 rooms
  • 1,0824 rooms
  • 3,9485 rooms
  • 3,6546 rooms
  • 3,6207 rooms
  • 2,0298 rooms
  • 2,7869+ rooms
Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Mercer County, West Virginia
  • Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Mercer County, West Virginia
  • 2281 room
  • 1302 rooms
  • 7623 rooms
  • 2,0264 rooms
  • 1,7365 rooms
  • 1,1646 rooms
  • 7667 rooms
  • 3308 rooms
  • 3619+ rooms
Bedrooms in houses/apartments in Mercer County, West Virginia
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses in Mercer County, West Virginia
  • Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses in Mercer County, West Virginia
  • 163no bedroom
  • 2861 bedroom
  • 3,1072 bedrooms
  • 10,6493 bedrooms
  • 2,8364 bedrooms
  • 6575+ bedrooms
Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Mercer County, West Virginia
  • Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Mercer County, West Virginia
  • 239no bedroom
  • 7441 bedroom
  • 2,9912 bedrooms
  • 2,6263 bedrooms
  • 8294 bedrooms
  • 595+ bedrooms
Cars and other vehicles available in Mercer County, West Virginia in houses/condos/apartments
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Cars and other vehicles available in Mercer County in owner-occupied houses/condos
  • Cars and other vehicles available in Mercer County in owner-occupied houses/condos
  • 623no vehicle
  • 5,2771 vehicle
  • 6,9012 vehicles
  • 3,6513 vehicles
  • 9954 vehicles
  • 2225+ vehicles
Cars and other vehicles available in Mercer County in renter-occupied apartments
  • Cars and other vehicles available in Mercer County in renter-occupied apartments
  • 1,408no vehicle
  • 4,0151 vehicle
  • 1,4452 vehicles
  • 4793 vehicles
  • 804 vehicles
  • 635+ vehicles

87.0% of Mercer County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago.
   Out of people who lived in different houses, 35% lived in this county.
   Out of people who lived in different counties, 40% lived in West Virginia.

Mercer County:

87.0%
State average:

89.6%

Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:

  • This state: 43,340
  • Other state: 14,578
  • Northeast: 1,557
  • Midwest: 3,129
  • South: 9,359
  • West: 628
Year householders moved into unit in Mercer County, WV
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Mercer County
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos
  • 66.9%Electricity
  • 19.4%Utility gas
  • 5.5%Wood
  • 5.1%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 2.5%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 0.2%Coal or coke
  • 0.2%No fuel used
  • 0.2%Other fuel
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments
  • 71.5%Electricity
  • 19.4%Utility gas
  • 3.2%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 2.9%Wood
  • 1.9%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 0.6%Coal or coke
  • 0.4%No fuel used
  • 0.2%Other fuel

Private vs. public school enrollment:


Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 833
Here:

15.2%
West Virginia:

12.2%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 281
Here:

11.1%
West Virginia:

8.8%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 527
Here:

20.2%
West Virginia:

17.3%

Educational Attainment
School Enrollment by Level of School
Age and Sex of Sensory-Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Physically-Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Mentally-Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Self-Care Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Go-Outside-Home Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Noninstitutionalized Residents with Employment Disability

Mercer County government finances - Expenditure in 2018:

  • Bond Funds - Cash and Securities: $434,000
    Cash and Securities: $83,000
  • Charges - Other: $7,076,000
    Other: $6,002,000
    Air Transportation: $1,409,000
    Air Transportation: $656,000
  • Construction - Air Transportation: $81,000
    Air Transportation: $55,000
  • Current Operations - Police Protection: $7,963,000
    Central Staff Services: $7,815,000
    Central Staff Services: $7,112,000
    Police Protection: $6,318,000
    Health - Other: $1,967,000
    Health - Other: $1,903,000
    General - Other: $1,710,000
    General - Other: $1,352,000
    Air Transportation: $1,306,000
    Air Transportation: $1,252,000
    Parks and Recreation: $793,000
    Local Fire Protection: $776,000
    Local Fire Protection: $768,000
    Parks and Recreation: $693,000
    Solid Waste Management: $249,000
    Solid Waste Management: $234,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - General Local Government Support: $755,000
    General Local Government Support: $669,000
    Other: $517,000
    Air Transportation: $245,000
    Air Transportation: $134,000
    Other: $105,000
    Public Welfare: $94,000
    Public Welfare: $81,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $118,000
    Interest on Debt: $110,000
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $146,000
    Other: $130,000
    Health and Hospitals: $50,000
    Health and Hospitals: $35,000
  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $4,195,000
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $3,977,000
    Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $3,657,000
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $3,337,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $320,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $218,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $902,000
    General Revenue - Other: $658,000
    Donations From Private Sources: $193,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $136,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $103,000
    Donations From Private Sources: $92,000
    Sale of Property: $11,000
    Interest Earnings: $2,000
    Interest Earnings: $1,000
  • Other Capital Outlay - General - Other: $351,000
    General - Other: $164,000
  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $5,499,000
    Cash and Securities: $3,904,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Health and Hospitals: $843,000
    Health and Hospitals: $734,000
    Other: $630,000
    Other: $325,000
    General Local Government Support: $296,000
    General Local Government Support: $238,000
  • Tax - Property: $9,008,000
    Property: $8,915,000
    Other Selective Sales: $913,000
    Other: $890,000
    Other Selective Sales: $864,000
    Other: $761,000
    Other License: $185,000
    Other License: $149,000
    Alcoholic Beverage Sales: $57,000
    Alcoholic Beverage Sales: $40,000
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $551,000
    : $533,000

Mercer County government finances - Revenue in 2018:

  • Bond Funds - Cash and Securities: $434,000
    Cash and Securities: $83,000
  • Charges - Other: $7,076,000
    Other: $6,002,000
    Air Transportation: $1,409,000
    Air Transportation: $656,000
  • Construction - Air Transportation: $81,000
    Air Transportation: $55,000
  • Current Operations - Police Protection: $7,963,000
    Central Staff Services: $7,815,000
    Central Staff Services: $7,112,000
    Police Protection: $6,318,000
    Health - Other: $1,967,000
    Health - Other: $1,903,000
    General - Other: $1,710,000
    General - Other: $1,352,000
    Air Transportation: $1,306,000
    Air Transportation: $1,252,000
    Parks and Recreation: $793,000
    Local Fire Protection: $776,000
    Local Fire Protection: $768,000
    Parks and Recreation: $693,000
    Solid Waste Management: $249,000
    Solid Waste Management: $234,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - General Local Government Support: $755,000
    General Local Government Support: $669,000
    Other: $517,000
    Air Transportation: $245,000
    Air Transportation: $134,000
    Other: $105,000
    Public Welfare: $94,000
    Public Welfare: $81,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $118,000
    Interest on Debt: $110,000
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $146,000
    Other: $130,000
    Health and Hospitals: $50,000
    Health and Hospitals: $35,000
  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $4,195,000
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $3,977,000
    Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $3,657,000
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $3,337,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $320,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $218,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $902,000
    General Revenue - Other: $658,000
    Donations From Private Sources: $193,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $136,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $103,000
    Donations From Private Sources: $92,000
    Sale of Property: $11,000
    Interest Earnings: $2,000
    Interest Earnings: $1,000
  • Other Capital Outlay - General - Other: $351,000
    General - Other: $164,000
  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $5,499,000
    Cash and Securities: $3,904,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Health and Hospitals: $843,000
    Health and Hospitals: $734,000
    Other: $630,000
    Other: $325,000
    General Local Government Support: $296,000
    General Local Government Support: $238,000
  • Tax - Property: $9,008,000
    Property: $8,915,000
    Other Selective Sales: $913,000
    Other: $890,000
    Other Selective Sales: $864,000
    Other: $761,000
    Other License: $185,000
    Other License: $149,000
    Alcoholic Beverage Sales: $57,000
    Alcoholic Beverage Sales: $40,000
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $551,000
    : $533,000

Mercer County government finances - Debt in 2018:

  • Bond Funds - Cash and Securities: $434,000
    Cash and Securities: $83,000
  • Charges - Other: $7,076,000
    Other: $6,002,000
    Air Transportation: $1,409,000
    Air Transportation: $656,000
  • Construction - Air Transportation: $81,000
    Air Transportation: $55,000
  • Current Operations - Police Protection: $7,963,000
    Central Staff Services: $7,815,000
    Central Staff Services: $7,112,000
    Police Protection: $6,318,000
    Health - Other: $1,967,000
    Health - Other: $1,903,000
    General - Other: $1,710,000
    General - Other: $1,352,000
    Air Transportation: $1,306,000
    Air Transportation: $1,252,000
    Parks and Recreation: $793,000
    Local Fire Protection: $776,000
    Local Fire Protection: $768,000
    Parks and Recreation: $693,000
    Solid Waste Management: $249,000
    Solid Waste Management: $234,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - General Local Government Support: $755,000
    General Local Government Support: $669,000
    Other: $517,000
    Air Transportation: $245,000
    Air Transportation: $134,000
    Other: $105,000
    Public Welfare: $94,000
    Public Welfare: $81,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $118,000
    Interest on Debt: $110,000
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $146,000
    Other: $130,000
    Health and Hospitals: $50,000
    Health and Hospitals: $35,000
  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $4,195,000
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $3,977,000
    Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $3,657,000
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $3,337,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $320,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $218,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $902,000
    General Revenue - Other: $658,000
    Donations From Private Sources: $193,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $136,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $103,000
    Donations From Private Sources: $92,000
    Sale of Property: $11,000
    Interest Earnings: $2,000
    Interest Earnings: $1,000
  • Other Capital Outlay - General - Other: $351,000
    General - Other: $164,000
  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $5,499,000
    Cash and Securities: $3,904,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Health and Hospitals: $843,000
    Health and Hospitals: $734,000
    Other: $630,000
    Other: $325,000
    General Local Government Support: $296,000
    General Local Government Support: $238,000
  • Tax - Property: $9,008,000
    Property: $8,915,000
    Other Selective Sales: $913,000
    Other: $890,000
    Other Selective Sales: $864,000
    Other: $761,000
    Other License: $185,000
    Other License: $149,000
    Alcoholic Beverage Sales: $57,000
    Alcoholic Beverage Sales: $40,000
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $551,000
    : $533,000

Mercer County government finances - Cash and Securities in 2018:

  • Bond Funds - Cash and Securities: $434,000
    Cash and Securities: $83,000
  • Charges - Other: $7,076,000
    Other: $6,002,000
    Air Transportation: $1,409,000
    Air Transportation: $656,000
  • Construction - Air Transportation: $81,000
    Air Transportation: $55,000
  • Current Operations - Police Protection: $7,963,000
    Central Staff Services: $7,815,000
    Central Staff Services: $7,112,000
    Police Protection: $6,318,000
    Health - Other: $1,967,000
    Health - Other: $1,903,000
    General - Other: $1,710,000
    General - Other: $1,352,000
    Air Transportation: $1,306,000
    Air Transportation: $1,252,000
    Parks and Recreation: $793,000
    Local Fire Protection: $776,000
    Local Fire Protection: $768,000
    Parks and Recreation: $693,000
    Solid Waste Management: $249,000
    Solid Waste Management: $234,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - General Local Government Support: $755,000
    General Local Government Support: $669,000
    Other: $517,000
    Air Transportation: $245,000
    Air Transportation: $134,000
    Other: $105,000
    Public Welfare: $94,000
    Public Welfare: $81,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $118,000
    Interest on Debt: $110,000
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $146,000
    Other: $130,000
    Health and Hospitals: $50,000
    Health and Hospitals: $35,000
  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $4,195,000
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $3,977,000
    Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $3,657,000
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $3,337,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $320,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $218,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $902,000
    General Revenue - Other: $658,000
    Donations From Private Sources: $193,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $136,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $103,000
    Donations From Private Sources: $92,000
    Sale of Property: $11,000
    Interest Earnings: $2,000
    Interest Earnings: $1,000
  • Other Capital Outlay - General - Other: $351,000
    General - Other: $164,000
  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $5,499,000
    Cash and Securities: $3,904,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Health and Hospitals: $843,000
    Health and Hospitals: $734,000
    Other: $630,000
    Other: $325,000
    General Local Government Support: $296,000
    General Local Government Support: $238,000
  • Tax - Property: $9,008,000
    Property: $8,915,000
    Other Selective Sales: $913,000
    Other: $890,000
    Other Selective Sales: $864,000
    Other: $761,000
    Other License: $185,000
    Other License: $149,000
    Alcoholic Beverage Sales: $57,000
    Alcoholic Beverage Sales: $40,000
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $551,000
    : $533,000

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in 2006:

  • Total number of recipients: 3,679
  • Number of aged recipients: 170
  • Number of blind and disabled recipients: 3,509
  • Number of recipients under 18: 404
  • Number of recipients between 18 and 64: 2,741
  • Number of recipients older than 64: 534
  • Number of recipients also receiving OASDI: 1,202
  • Amount of payments (thousands of dollars): 1,760
Most common first names in Mercer County, WV among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
James67171.3 years
William58973.4 years
Mary51978.6 years
John51574.2 years
Robert43770.8 years
Charles33872.0 years
George23374.8 years
Virginia20177.8 years
Helen19377.0 years
Margaret18675.2 years
Most common last names in Mercer County, WV among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Bailey33576.2 years
Smith26174.5 years
White20973.7 years
Thompson20074.4 years
Taylor16671.9 years
Jones15874.4 years
Martin15575.3 years
Johnson15472.9 years
Brown14375.3 years
Hall14173.9 years
Businesses in Mercer County, WV
NameCountNameCount
7-Eleven1Kmart1
AT&T2Knights Inn1
Ace Hardware1Kroger3
Advance Auto Parts3La-Z-Boy3
Aeropostale1Lane Furniture4
American Eagle Outfitters1Little Caesars Pizza2
Applebee's1Long John Silver's2
Arby's3Lowe's1
AutoZone2MasterBrand Cabinets2
Bath & Body Works1Maurices1
Blockbuster1McDonald's3
Burger King2Microtel1
CVS3Nike4
Chevrolet2Nissan1
Chick-Fil-A1Outback1
Comfort Inn1Outback Steakhouse1
Cracker Barrel1Pac Sun1
Curves1Papa John's Pizza1
Dairy Queen4Pizza Hut1
Days Inn1Quality1
Deb1RadioShack2
Domino's Pizza1Rite Aid2
Econo Lodge1Ryan's Grill1
FedEx7SONIC Drive-In1
Foot Locker1Sears2
Ford1Sleep Inn1
GNC1Spencer Gifts1
GameStop2Starbucks2
H&R Block3Subaru1
Hardee's3Subway7
Hilton1Taco Bell1
Holiday Inn1Toyota1
Honda1U-Haul5
Hyundai1U.S. Cellular2
JCPenney1UPS9
Justice1Walgreens1
KFC2Walmart1
Kincaid1Wendy's3

Mercer County on our top lists:

  • #2 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest number of deaths per 1000 residents 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #6 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the smallest number of children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #13 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest ground withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #17 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the smallest number of people without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #38 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest increase in the number of deaths per 1000 residents 2000-2006 to 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #64 on the list of "Top 101 counties with highest percentage of residents voting for Romney (Republican) in the 2012 Presidential Election (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #76 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the smallest number of children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000"
  • #83 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest ground withdrawal of fresh water for public supply"