Princeton, WV Demographics

A map of Princeton's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	5,053	4,964	88.1%	84.5%
Multiracial	496	291	8.6%	5.0%
Black	147	390	2.6%	6.6%
Hispanic	34	132	0.6%	2.2%
Asian	4	50	0.1%	0.9%
Native American/Other	2	45	0.0%	0.8%

Princeton, West Virginia has an estimated population of 5,736, a slight decrease from the 5,872 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 88.1% White, 8.6% Multiracial, 2.6% Black, 0.6% Hispanic, 0.1% Asian, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Princeton, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Princeton has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is 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 Princeton, that probability was 27.8% in 2020 and 21.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Princeton is ranked the 28th most populous place in West Virginia, out of 439 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Princeton was ranked the 27th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Princeton's White Population

5,053 residents of Princeton, or 88.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Princeton is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 89.7% of the population is White. Princeton ranks 388th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Princeton's White population has grown by an estimated 1.8%. White residents' share of Princeton's population has increased from 84.5% to 88.1%.

Princeton is more White than neighboring Athens (87.8% White), and Matoaka (83.3% White). Princeton is less White than neighboring Lashmeet (97.6% White), Rocky Gap (100% White), and Oakvale (93.7% White).

Princeton's Black Population

147 residents of Princeton, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Princeton is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 3.1% of the population is Black. Princeton ranks 50th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Princeton's Black population has declined by an estimated 62.3%. Black residents' share of Princeton's population has decreased from 6.6% to 2.6%.

Princeton is more Black than neighboring Lashmeet (0% Black), Rocky Gap (0% Black), Oakvale (1.2% Black), and Matoaka (0% Black). Princeton is less Black than neighboring Athens (4.1% Black).

Princeton's Asian Population

4 residents of Princeton, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Princeton is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Asian. Princeton ranks 61st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Princeton's Asian population has declined by an estimated 92.0%. Asian residents' share of Princeton's population has decreased from 0.9% to 0.1%.

Princeton is more Asian than neighboring Lashmeet (0% Asian), Rocky Gap (0% Asian), and Matoaka (0% Asian). Princeton is less Asian than neighboring Athens (2.1% Asian), and Oakvale (2% Asian).

Princeton's Hispanic Population

34 residents of Princeton, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Princeton is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 2.1% of the population is Hispanic. Princeton ranks 71st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Princeton's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 74.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Princeton's population has decreased from 2.2% to 0.6%.

Princeton is more Hispanic than neighboring Rocky Gap (0% Hispanic), and Matoaka (0% Hispanic). Princeton is less Hispanic than neighboring Athens (3.1% Hispanic), Lashmeet (2.4% Hispanic), and Oakvale (1.2% Hispanic).

Princeton's Native American/Other Population

2 residents of Princeton, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Princeton is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Princeton ranks 85th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Princeton's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 95.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Princeton's population has decreased from 0.8% to 0.0%.

Princeton is less Native American/Other than neighboring Oakvale (0.4% Native American/Other).

Princeton's Multiracial Population

496 residents of Princeton, or 8.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Princeton is slightly higher than in West Virginia overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Princeton ranks 113th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Princeton's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 70.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Princeton's population has increased from 5.0% to 8.6%.

Princeton is more Multiracial than neighboring Athens (2.9% Multiracial), Lashmeet (0% Multiracial), Rocky Gap (0% Multiracial), and Oakvale (1.6% Multiracial). Princeton is less Multiracial than neighboring Matoaka (16.7% 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.