Data / Population / McDowell County

Population in McDowell County

Population in McDowell County was 16,878 in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is down 1.8% from 2024. That is the 33rd highest of 55 counties in 2025.

2025, persons16,878
Change on 2024-1.8%
Rank33rd of 55Counties in West Virginia ranked
Series high18,9422020
Series low16,8782025

Population in McDowell County, 2020 to 2025

CSVChart (SVG)

16.5K17K17.5K18K18.5K19K2020202120222023202420252020: 18,942 persons2021: 18,421 persons2022: 17,795 persons2023: 17,446 persons2024: 17,186 persons2025: 16,878 persons
persons. Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-08, published 2026-03-26.
All 6 values
Periodpersons
202516,878
202417,186
202317,446
202217,795
202118,421
202018,942

Compared with West Virginia and United States

Place2025
McDowell County16,878
West Virginia1,766,147
United States341,784,857

Rankings

Definition

Resident population. Spain and the EU: 1 January, with Spanish figures from the official municipal register (Padrón). United States: Census Bureau population estimates for 1 July. Other countries and the World: World Bank mid-year estimates, which count all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

For Denmark, Statistics Denmark counts the registered resident population on 1 January. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are excluded. The annual series selects the first-quarter reference date from FOLK1A. The World Bank series exists for every country, so use it (through compare) to rank countries on one basis.

How to cite

U.S. Census Bureau. Annual estimates of the resident population for the United States, states and counties, 1 July (Population Estimates Program). https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/. Retrieved 2026-10-08.

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What is the latest population in McDowell County? Cite the source.
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Questions

What is the population in McDowell County?

Population in McDowell County was 16,878 in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is down 1.8% from 2024. That is the 33rd highest of 55 counties in 2025.

Where does this figure come from?

U.S. Census Bureau. Annual estimates of the resident population for the United States, states and counties, 1 July (Population Estimates Program). Retrieved by Invokely on 2026-10-08.

What was the highest population in McDowell County?

18,942 in 2020, the highest value since 2020 in this series.

More statistics for McDowell County

All statistics for McDowell County