McDowell County Demographics

A map of McDowell County's Population by Race

McDowell County, West Virginia had a population of 19,111 in 2020. It was 83.0% White, 11.2% Black, 0.1% Asian, 2.0% Hispanic, 0.4% Native American/Other, and 3.3% Multiracial. This map presents the population of McDowell County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

McDowell County is the 32nd most populous county of the 55 counties in West Virginia.

McDowell County's White Population

15,871 residents of McDowell County identify as White, or 83.0%. This makes the White share of the population of McDowell County slightly less than the White share of the population of West Virginia (89.1% White). Of the 55 counties in West Virginia, McDowell County is ranked #52 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

McDowell County is less White than neighboring Wyoming County (96.1% White), Tazewell County (92.3% White), Buchanan County (94.4% White), Logan County (94.5% White), and Mercer County (87.6% White).

McDowell County's Black Population

2,139 residents of McDowell County identify as Black, or 11.2%. This makes the Black share of the population of McDowell County slightly larger than the Black share of the population of West Virginia (3.6% Black). Of the 55 counties in West Virginia, McDowell County is ranked #2 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

McDowell County is more Black than neighboring Wyoming County (0.5% Black), Tazewell County (2.4% Black), Buchanan County (3% Black), Logan County (1.8% Black), and Mercer County (6.2% Black).

McDowell County's Asian Population

20 residents of McDowell County identify as Asian, or 0.1%. This makes the Asian share of the population of McDowell County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of West Virginia (0.8% Asian). Of the 55 counties in West Virginia, McDowell County is ranked #48 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

McDowell County is less Asian than neighboring Tazewell County (0.5% Asian), Buchanan County (0.2% Asian), Logan County (0.2% Asian), and Mercer County (0.5% Asian).

McDowell County's Hispanic Population

390 residents of McDowell County identify as Hispanic, or 2.0%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of McDowell County roughly similar to the Hispanic share of the population of West Virginia (1.9% Hispanic). Of the 55 counties in West Virginia, McDowell County is ranked #7 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

McDowell County is more Hispanic than neighboring Wyoming County (0.8% Hispanic), Tazewell County (1.3% Hispanic), Buchanan County (0.9% Hispanic), Logan County (0.7% Hispanic), and Mercer County (1.2% Hispanic).

McDowell County's Native American/Other Population

69 residents of McDowell County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.4%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of McDowell County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of West Virginia (0.5% Native American/Other). Of the 55 counties in West Virginia, McDowell County is ranked #29 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

McDowell County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Wyoming County (0.2% Native American/Other), Buchanan County (0.1% Native American/Other), and Logan County (0.2% Native American/Other). McDowell County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Mercer County (0.5% Native American/Other).

McDowell County's Multiracial Population

622 residents of McDowell County identify as Multiracial, or 3.3%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of McDowell County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of West Virginia (4% Multiracial). Of the 55 counties in West Virginia, McDowell County is ranked #32 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

McDowell County is more Multiracial than neighboring Wyoming County (2.4% Multiracial), Tazewell County (3.1% Multiracial), Buchanan County (1.4% Multiracial), and Logan County (2.6% Multiracial). McDowell County is less Multiracial than neighboring Mercer County (4% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.