Wood County Population Charts

According to the most recent Wood County West Virginia demographics data available from the 2022 Census Bureau released in the American Community Survey in November of 2022, Figure 1 Wood County shows it has a Population 2021 of 84,678 which is the largest of all counties in the greater Wood County region. Figure 3 uses the Wood County population data for a comparison of the population growth/population change estimates from the years 2010 to 2021 and Wood County West Virginia shows a decline of 2,278 (3%).

The total Wood County West Virginia greater area population percent change for all areas for the years from 2010 to 2021 is shown in Figure 4 and for Wood County shows it has a Population Change of -2.6% which is the second most of all the counties in the local area.

Looking at the Wood County population density (measured as people per square mile) and providing comparisons to both the national and state average population density in Figure 5, Wood County West Virginia shows it has 231 people per square mile which is the most of all counties in the greater Wood County region. The next lower population density is Washington County approximately half the size with population density of 95. Figure 6 provides Wood County demographics for the overall median age for all people in the region and Wood County depicts it has a Median Age of 43.7 which is in the center range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest overall median age of all people in the area is Ritchie County which depicts an age of 46.7 (6.9% larger). The Wood County West Virginia population data for median age broken out by gender for both men versus the median age of women is shown in Figure 7. Wood County West Virginia depicts a median age of men only about 5.2% smaller as the median age of women.

Figure 9 illustrates the overall diversity breakdown for Wood County population and ethnicity groups in the area. (note: Hispanic/Latino is broken out separately in the next diagram and also the group denoted as Native ethnicity includes Native American, and Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.) Wood County West Virginia has the largest proportion of Asian population at 0.3% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 10 shows the Wood County West Virginia Hispanic (including non Hispanic whites) population household ethnicity in the region and Wood County depicts it has a Hispanic or Latino of 1.2% which is the most of all counties in the metro area. Figure 11 compares the ratio of the amount of men to the amount of women and depicts total male population only about 4.8% smaller as the total female population.

Wood County Marital Status and Families Charts

Figure 14 compares the average household size using the average number of people in a family for Wood County households. Wood County indicates it has a Family Size of 3.1 which is the second smallest when sorted by average family size of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest average family size in the area is Ritchie County which depicts an average family size of 3.4 (8.8% larger).

Figure 15 shows the overall ratio of Wood County households for families to the total number of Wood County households and that Wood County shows it has a Families of 62% which is the smallest in order of percent of people who are in a family of all the other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest percent of people who are in a family in the area is Ritchie County which depicts a families percent of 72% (15.3% larger).

Looking at Wood County households that are headed by a husband and wife as a percent of all families in Figure 16, Wood County depicts it has a Married-couple family of 76% which is the second smallest as measured by percent of people in a husband and wife family of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest percent of people in a husband and wife family in the area is Wirt County which depicts a husband and wife family percent of 85% (11.8% larger). Figure 17 shows Wood County demographics for the head of household for each place using a breakdown of married-couple, male-headed alone, and female-headed alone. Wood County West Virginia has one of the largest proportions of households at 16.8% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Meigs County with 18.9%.

Wood County Mothers and Children Charts

The next section of charts provide a detailed look at mothers and baby births that occurred over the past 12 months. Figure 18 shows the rate of women aged 15 to 50 years old who have given birth. Wood County depicts it has a Birth Rate of 6.7% which is the second most of all the counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest percent of women who gave birth in the area is Pleasants County which depicts a birth rate of 11.1% (64.8% larger). Figure 19 shows the breakdown of the mother's age for all baby births that occurred in the last 12 months and has the percentage of percent of births to mothers aged 15 to 19 in the mid point range of other counties in the local area at 29% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of percent of births to mothers aged 20 to 24 at 32% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Pleasants County (51%), and #1 Wirt County (100%) are larger.

In Figure 20, the demographic data for Wood County West Virginia teenager birth rate is shown (women between the ages of 15 and 19.) Wood County shows it has a Teenager Birth Rate of 3% which is the second most percent of births to a teenager of all the counties in the greater Wood County region. The county with the highest teenager birth rate in the area is Washington County which shows a births to a teenager of 7% (about twice as large).

In Figure 21, the percentage of all births in the last 12 months to mothers that were unmarried is shown (unwed mothers.) Wood County shows it has a Unwed Births of 47% which is the third most percent of unwed women who have given birth of all other counties in the greater Wood County region. The county with the highest percent of unwed women who have given birth in the area is Meigs County which depicts an unwed mother birth rate of 54% (12.9% larger).

The next chart, Figure 22, shows the percentage of unwed mothers who are also on public assistance. Wood County shows it has a Unwed birth and on public assistance of 8.3% which is more than all other counties in the greater Wood County region.

Unwed mothers who have given birth in the last 12 months are also shown broken down by age group in Figure 24. Wood County West Virginia has the percentage of unwed mothers aged 15 to 19 the second smallest when ranked by percent of unwed births to mothers aged 15 to 19 years old of all the other counties in the local area at 75.8% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of unwed mothers aged 20 to 34 at 17.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 25 shows the comparative demographic rate of unwed mothers who have given birth in the last 12 months are broken down by racial group (including the Hispanic birth rate.) Wood County West Virginia has the largest proportion of White unwed birth rate at 100.0% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 26 shows unwed mothers in poverty (based on median household income definition) who have given birth in the last 12 months. Wood County West Virginia has the percentage of unwed births and living below poverty level in the mid range of other counties in the local area at 21.3% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of unwed births and living between 100% and 199% of poverty level at 44.8% of the total and is ranked #1.

For all births to unwed mothers, Figure 27 breaks down the education level of the mother by less than high school through college and post graduate attainment has the percentage of percent of unwed mothers with less than high school education less than most other counties in the metropolitan area at 32% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of percent of unwed mothers who are a high school graduate or equivalent at 48% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Ritchie County with 90%. Third, it has the largest proportion of percent of unwed mothers with some college or an associates degree at 6% of the total and is ranked #1.

Wood County Marital Status Charts

The next set of demographic data looks at the marital status for Wood County households which is useful for internet research. Figure 28 compares the total number of single people in each area. Wood County shows it has a Total Single People of 49% which is the second most percent single people of all the counties in the greater Wood County region. The county with the highest percent of people who are single for any reason in the area is Meigs County which indicates a percent single of 53% (7.7% larger). Comparing percent of people who are single for any reason to the United States average of 50%, Wood County is only about 2.6% smaller. Also, versus the state of West Virginia, percent of people who are single for any reason of 50%, Wood County is only about 2.1% smaller.

Figure 30 compares the single people in each area broken down by never married, divorced, and widowed. Wood County West Virginia has one of the largest proportions of percent never married at 14% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Washington County (14%), and #1 Meigs County (14%) are larger. Second, it has less than most other counties in the metro area as measured by percent divorced at 8% of the total. Figure 31 shows the demographics for the number of single men adults in each area broken out by never married, divorced and widowed. Wood County West Virginia has one of the largest proportions of men who have never been married at 14% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Washington County (14%), and #1 Wirt County (15%) are larger.

Figure 33 shows the Wood County demographics for the ratio of the number of single men between the age of 18 and 65, in each area, broken down by age group for the Wood County metro area. Wood County West Virginia has the percentage of single men 30 to 34 the second smallest as measured by percent of single men 18 to 24 of all the other counties in the local area at 9% of the total.

Figure 34 shows the Wood County population data for the ratio of the number of single women between the age of 18 and 65, in each area, broken down by age group for the Wood County metro area. Wood County West Virginia has the percentage of single women 18 to 24 in the mid range of other counties in the metro area at 12% of the total. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by percent of single women 18 to 24 of all the other counties in the local area in order of single women 30 to 34 at 6% of the total.

Wood County Citizenship Demographics Charts

The next chart (Figure 36) shows for all citizens what the original place of birth was for people who were born in a foreign country and it has the largest proportion of birthplace in this state at 4% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has in the mid range of other counties in the local area in terms of birthplace in the Midwest at 6% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of birthplace in the South at 2% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 37, the demographic percentage of Wood County residents who were not born in the United States is shown (i.e. percent foreign born.) Wood County shows it has a Percent Foreign Born of 1.0% which is in the center range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest percent of population who was born in another country in the area is Ritchie County which depicts a percent born outside United States of 1.7% (65.3% larger). Comparing percent of population who was born in another country to the United States average of 13.6%, Wood County is approximately a twelfth the size. Also, versus the state of West Virginia, percent of population who was born in another country of 1.6%, Wood County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 39 provides a detailed analysis of non citizens by breaking them into two age groups: Under 18 and over the age of 18. Wood County West Virginia shows a percent of non citizens under 18 years old only about 5.9% the size as the percent of non citizens over 18 years old. Figure 40 provides further information for non citizen age by showing a comparison of the median age for all non citizens immigrants. it has a Non Citizen Median Age of 45.4 which is the highest of all counties in the greater Wood County region. The next diagram (Figure 41) shows the year of entry that non citizens entered the United States. The year of entry can show the rate of flow at various points of time in the past for when they entered the U.S. has the percentage of non citizens who entered the US after 2010 less than most other counties in the greater region at 40% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of non citizens who entered the US between 2000 to 2009 at 14% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Washington County (15%), and #1 Jackson County (32%) are larger. Third, it has the largest proportion of non citizens who entered the US between 1990 to 1999 at 34% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of non citizens who entered the US before 1990 at 12% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Washington County with 15%.

For all foreign born people who have gone through naturalization (the process of becoming a legal U.S. resident citizen), Figure 42 shows the year when they became fully naturalized U.S. citizens. it has one of the largest proportions of people naturalized 2015 or later at 21% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Pleasants County with 74%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of people naturalized 2010 to 2014 at 14% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Meigs County (60%), and #1 Wirt County (100%) are larger. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of people naturalized 2005 to 2009 at 16% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Washington County with 27%. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of people naturalized 1995 to 1999 at 14% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Pleasants County with 26%. In addition, it has less than most other counties in the local area when ranked by people naturalized before 1990 at 27% of the total.

Wood County Birthplace Demographic Charts

Figure 43 displays a map of the globe and shows Wood County demographic information for large regions of the world that people from this place originally came from. Wood County West Virginia has the percentage of from Europe less than most other counties in the metropolitan area at 18% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of from Asia at 55% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of from Africa at 7% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 44 categorizes the location for where foreign born people originally come from based on very large continental geographic areas. Wood County West Virginia has the largest proportion of from Europe at 55% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of from Asia at 7% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of from Oceania at 18% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Ritchie County (38%), and #1 Meigs County (83%) are larger.

Figure 45 is a table that breaks out all the people who were foreign born by which large geographic region where they were born. Wood County West Virginia has the largest proportion of people who were born in Northern Europe at 12.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in South Central Asia at 23.9% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Western Asia at 6.2% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Eastern Africa at 2.4% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in North Africa at 1.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Western Africa at 3.4% of the total and is ranked #1. Next it has the largest proportion of people who were born in the Caribbean at 4.1% of the total and is ranked #1.