Wheeling, WV Demographics

A map of Wheeling's Population by Race

Wheeling, West Virginia has an estimated population of 26,350, a slight decrease from the 27,052 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 88.8% White, 4.7% Multiracial, 4.5% Black, 1.4% Hispanic, 0.4% Asian, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Wheeling, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Wheeling has become 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 Wheeling, that probability was 25.4% in 2020 and 20.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Wheeling is ranked the 5th 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). Wheeling was ranked the 5th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Wheeling's White Population

23,402 residents of Wheeling, or 88.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Wheeling is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 89.7% of the population is White. Wheeling ranks 376th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wheeling's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Wheeling's population has increased from 86.0% to 88.8%.

Wheeling is more White than neighboring Martins Ferry (79.2% White), Bridgeport (84.2% White), and Brookside (85.9% White). Wheeling is less White than neighboring Bethlehem (94.9% White), and Clearview (95.4% White).

Wheeling's Black Population

1,180 residents of Wheeling, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Wheeling is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 3.1% of the population is Black. Wheeling ranks 57th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wheeling's Black population has declined by an estimated 19.9%. Black residents' share of Wheeling's population has decreased from 5.4% to 4.5%.

Wheeling is more Black than neighboring Bethlehem (2% Black), Bridgeport (3% Black), Clearview (0% Black), and Brookside (2.3% Black). Wheeling is less Black than neighboring Martins Ferry (6% Black).

Wheeling's Asian Population

95 residents of Wheeling, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Wheeling is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Asian. Wheeling ranks 43rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wheeling's Asian population has declined by an estimated 66.9%. Asian residents' share of Wheeling's population has decreased from 1.1% to 0.4%.

Wheeling is more Asian than neighboring Bethlehem (0% Asian), Bridgeport (0.2% Asian), and Brookside (0% Asian). Wheeling is less Asian than neighboring Martins Ferry (3% Asian).

Wheeling's Hispanic Population

368 residents of Wheeling, or 1.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Wheeling is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 2.1% of the population is Hispanic. Wheeling ranks 124th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wheeling's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 19.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Wheeling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.4%.

Wheeling is more Hispanic than neighboring Martins Ferry (0.8% Hispanic), and Clearview (1.2% Hispanic). Wheeling is less Hispanic than neighboring Bethlehem (1.5% Hispanic), Bridgeport (4.5% Hispanic), and Brookside (2.5% Hispanic).

Wheeling's Native American/Other Population

58 residents of Wheeling, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Wheeling is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Wheeling ranks 152nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wheeling's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 59.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Wheeling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Wheeling is more Native American/Other than neighboring Bethlehem (0% Native American/Other), Bridgeport (0% Native American/Other), and Clearview (0% Native American/Other). Wheeling is less Native American/Other than neighboring Martins Ferry (1% Native American/Other), and Brookside (0.3% Native American/Other).

Wheeling's Multiracial Population

1,247 residents of Wheeling, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Wheeling is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Wheeling ranks 86th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wheeling's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 12.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Wheeling's population has decreased from 5.3% to 4.7%.

Wheeling is more Multiracial than neighboring Bethlehem (1.5% Multiracial), and Clearview (3% Multiracial). Wheeling is less Multiracial than neighboring Martins Ferry (10% Multiracial), Bridgeport (8.1% Multiracial), and Brookside (9% 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.