Gilmer County Demographics

A map of Gilmer County's Population by Race

Gilmer County, West Virginia has an estimated population of 7,288, a slight decrease from the 7,408 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 78.5% White, 13.6% Black, 4.1% Hispanic, 2.8% Multiracial, 0.8% Native American/Other, and 0.2% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Gilmer County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Gilmer has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than West Virginia overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Gilmer County, that probability was 32.1% in 2020 and 36.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Gilmer County is ranked the 51st most populous county in West Virginia, out of 55 counties. Gilmer County was ranked the 51st most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Gilmer County's White Population

5,724 residents of Gilmer County, or 78.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Gilmer County is considerably lower than in West Virginia overall, where 89.7% of the population is White. Gilmer County ranks 53rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 55 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Gilmer County's White population has declined by an estimated 5.0%. White residents' share of Gilmer County's population has decreased from 81.3% to 78.5%.

Gilmer County is less White than neighboring Braxton County (86.5% White), Calhoun County (95.6% White), Ritchie County (96.5% White), Lewis County (90% White), and Doddridge County (91.7% White).

Gilmer County's Black Population

993 residents of Gilmer County, or 13.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Gilmer County is considerably higher than in West Virginia overall, where 3.1% of the population is Black. Gilmer County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 55 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Gilmer County's Black population has grown by an estimated 7.6%. Black residents' share of Gilmer County's population has increased from 12.5% to 13.6%.

Gilmer County is more Black than neighboring Braxton County (0.6% Black), Calhoun County (0.1% Black), Ritchie County (0.1% Black), Lewis County (1.1% Black), and Doddridge County (2.5% Black).

Gilmer County's Asian Population

16 residents of Gilmer County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Gilmer County is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Asian. Gilmer County ranks 16th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 55 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Gilmer County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 46.7%. Asian residents' share of Gilmer County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Gilmer County is more Asian than neighboring Braxton County (0.1% Asian), Calhoun County (0% Asian), Lewis County (0.1% Asian), and Doddridge County (0% Asian). Gilmer County is less Asian than neighboring Ritchie County (1.3% Asian).

Gilmer County's Hispanic Population

299 residents of Gilmer County, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Gilmer County is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 2.1% of the population is Hispanic. Gilmer County ranks 4th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 55 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Gilmer County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 22.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Gilmer County's population has increased from 3.3% to 4.1%.

Gilmer County is more Hispanic than neighboring Braxton County (0.6% Hispanic), Calhoun County (0.6% Hispanic), Ritchie County (0.7% Hispanic), Lewis County (1.4% Hispanic), and Doddridge County (1.4% Hispanic).

Gilmer County's Native American/Other Population

55 residents of Gilmer County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Gilmer County is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Gilmer County ranks 55th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 55 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Gilmer County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 358.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Gilmer County's population has increased from 0.2% to 0.8%.

Gilmer County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Braxton County (0.2% Native American/Other), Calhoun County (0.7% Native American/Other), Ritchie County (0% Native American/Other), and Lewis County (0.2% Native American/Other).

Gilmer County's Multiracial Population

201 residents of Gilmer County, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Gilmer County is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Gilmer County ranks 53rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 55 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Gilmer County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 16.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Gilmer County's population has increased from 2.3% to 2.8%.

Gilmer County is more Multiracial than neighboring Ritchie County (1.4% Multiracial). Gilmer County is less Multiracial than neighboring Braxton County (12.1% Multiracial), Calhoun County (2.9% Multiracial), Lewis County (7.2% Multiracial), and Doddridge County (3.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.