PLACES I NEVER HEARD OF · Economic development and business services

Wetzel County, West Virginia

Economy at a glance · FIPS 54103 · updated 2026-10-29
MeasureValueDetail
Population13,76612024 estimate; -16.7% since 2010
Net migration+4212023; 149 births and 293 deaths
Median household income$56,8362ACS 2024 5-year
Poverty rate16.0%2ACS 2024 5-year
Unemployment rate5.4%2ACS 2024 5-year
Housing vacancy16.2%2ACS 2024 5-year
Median home value$107,9002ACS 2024 5-year
Median gross rent$6882ACS 2024 5-year
Private-sector jobs3,89032023; 308 employers; largest: Health care and social assistance (866), Retail trade (790), Manufacturing (785)
Average pay per private job$44,74332023 annual payroll ÷ jobs
Bank deposits in county branches$566.1M4June 2025; 10 branches of 6 banks
Home loans per $100 deposited$5.252025: 191 mortgages, $29.4M
Land banks serving the county16New Martinsville Land Reuse Agency
Sites and buildings promoted by economic developers37182 acres listed

Sources

  1. County population estimates and components: U.S. Census Bureau (PEP) · our locked copy (2026-10-26, sha256 5f42115d8aa5)
  2. American Community Survey 5-year county estimates: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS)
  3. County Business Patterns (establishments, employment, payroll by industry): U.S. Census Bureau · our locked copy (2026-10-28, sha256 e9539e96ceb9)
  4. Summary of Deposits (branch deposits): FDIC · our locked copy (2026-10-27, sha256 b500c06fab59)
  5. HMDA mortgage originations by county: CFPB / FFIEC · our locked copy (2026-10-27, sha256 bc8453dfad57)
  6. West Virginia land reuse agencies (land banks): West Virginia Land Stewardship Corporation · our locked copy (2026-10-29, sha256 5fec93234d56)
  7. Sites and buildings promoted by economic development organizations: Jefferson County Development Authority; Regional Economic Development Partnership (LOIS databases) · our locked copy (2026-10-29, sha256 2defcffee3ea)
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