How many renters in Bluefield, WV pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Bluefield, WV, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

35.4% (±12.1 points) of renting households in Bluefield, WV spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

25.0% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 26.0% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 35.4% (±12.1 points)
Paying 35% or more: 25.0% (±10.1 points)
Median share of income: 26.0% (±4.7 points)

Rent as a share of income in Bluefield

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Bluefield	Mercer County	West Virginia	United States
Less than 15%	22.2% (±11.7 points)	15.0%	15.8%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	18.8% (±11.9 points)	10.4%	12.8%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	5.3% (±4.6 points)	9.4%	12.1%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	18.3% (±8.4 points)	14.3%	10.4%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	10.4% (±6.6 points)	12.1%	9.8%	9.2%
35% or more	25.0% (±10.1 points)	38.9%	39.0%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Bluefield against Mercer County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Bluefield	Mercer County	West Virginia	United States
Paying 30% or more	35.4% (±12.1 points)	51.0% (±8.4 points)	48.8% (±1.4 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	25.0% (±10.1 points)	38.9% (±7.4 points)	39.0% (±1.2 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	26.0% (±4.7 points)	30.4% (±2.8 points)	29.4% (±0.7 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$33,054 (±$5,129)	$31,196 (±$3,198)	$33,142 (±$752)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$804 (±$132)	$810 (±$47)	$872 (±$8)	$1,413

In Bluefield, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is lower than in Mercer County (51.0%).

It is also lower than in West Virginia (48.8%).

It is lower than the national figure (51.1%).

In Mercer County, Bluefield ranks 5 of 7 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 185 of 267.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Bluefield

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Bluefield
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Bluefield	—	35.4% (±12.1 points)	—
Brush Fork	1.8 mi	100.0% (±66.5 points)	Not measurably different
Bluefield	4.0 mi	52.6% (±20.0 points)	Not measurably different
Bluewell	4.3 mi	57.4% (±39.1 points)	Not measurably different
Bramwell	7.0 mi	20.0% (±115.3 points)	Not measurably different
Pocahontas	8.1 mi	15.4% (±69.8 points)	Not measurably different
Princeton	9.7 mi	63.6% (±15.3 points)	Higher
Anawalt	14 mi	0.0% (±141.4 points)	Not measurably different
Oakvale	14 mi	0.0% (±141.4 points)	Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Princeton, WV (63.6%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Mercer County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
1	Brush Fork	100.0% (±66.5 points)
2	Athens	65.2% (±50.1 points)
3	Princeton	63.6% (±15.3 points)
4	Bluewell	57.4% (±39.1 points)
5	Bluefield	35.4% (±12.1 points)
6	Bramwell	20.0% (±115.3 points)
7	Oakvale	0.0% (±141.4 points)

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Bluefield

Are renters in Bluefield rent-burdened?

35.4% of renting households in Bluefield pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Bluefield spend on rent?

The median renting household in Bluefield, WV spends 26.0% (±4.7 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Bluefield city, West Virginia (place:08524, in state:54).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.