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The ACS estimates about 3,420, give or take 417 civilian veterans in Mercer County.
By ACS estimates, Mercer County has the 10th largest veteran population among West Virginia's 55 counties and equivalents.
Share of civilian veterans, ACS 2020-2024
Measure
Mercer County
West Virginia
United States
Share with a service-connected rating
44 percent
above the West Virginia share; above the national share.
31 percent
30 percent
Share rated 70 percent or higher
27 percent
above the West Virginia share; above the national share.
14 percent
13 percent
Mercer County has about 871, give or take 199 veterans 75 and older, making up 26 percent of its veterans compared with 27 percent in West Virginia.
Veterans under 35 account for 3 percent; a small survey sample; treat as rough in Mercer County; the survey figures do not support a state comparison.
Mercer County has about 114, give or take 56 women veterans, making up 3 percent of its veterans compared with 7 percent in West Virginia.
Income, work and education in Mercer County
Census ACS 2020-2024 estimates and 90% margins of error
Measure
Mercer County
West Virginia
United States
Veteran median income, age 18 and over with income
$50,183 ± $6,237
$46,918 ± $1,173
$54,224 ± $147
Nonveteran median income, age 18 and over with income
$29,413 ± $1,856
$32,524 ± $334
$41,154 ± $99
Veterans below poverty level, age 18 and over
4.2% ± 2.3 points; small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Veterans with a disability, age 18 and over
51.9% ± 6.6 points
35.7% ± 1.0 points
30.7% ± 0.1 points
Employed share of veterans, ages 18 to 64
62.9% ± 10.4 points
67.7% ± 1.6 points
73.9% ± 0.2 points
Unemployed share of veterans in the labor force, ages 18 to 64
3.0% ± 5.8 points; small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Veterans with high school or more, age 25 and over
95.0% ± 2.3 points
93.8% ± 0.6 points
95.5% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a bachelor’s degree or more, age 25 and over
24.3% ± 6.3 points
22.4% ± 1.0 points
31.8% ± 0.2 points
Income is in 2024 dollars. These figures describe civilians. Poverty and disability shares use veterans whose poverty status is determined. Census disability measures daily functioning, not a VA service-connected rating. Tables and method.
VA projects slightly fewer veterans here by 2035; both years round to about 3,000. VetPop2023 projections are rounded to the nearest 1,000 as VA directs. Projection source and method.
VA disability compensation in Mercer County
VA reports 1,734 veterans in Mercer County receiving disability compensation in FY2025.
In 2025, lenders reported 71 VA-backed home loans out of 684 home loans made in Mercer County (10.4% VA), under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).
about 65 miles in a straight line from the county center.
Call to confirm hours before you go.
Outside West Virginia, in Salem, VA, Salem VA Medical Center (opens in a new tab) is Mercer County's second-nearest medical center, about 60 miles in a straight line from the county center.
The second-nearest Vet Center to Mercer County is Beckley Vet Center (opens in a new tab) in Beckley, WV, about 26 miles in a straight line from the county center.
The state registry lists Huntington RO (station 315); county claims jurisdiction is unconfirmed.
Cleanup and former military sites in Mercer County
No sites from these two federal datasets were mapped to Mercer County.
For VA’s service-location rules, see the presumptive conditions list. A location listing does not establish personal exposure or eligibility.
Veterans experiencing homelessness
On one night in January 2024, West Virginia Balance of State CoC counted 68 veterans experiencing homelessness (43 sheltered, 25 unsheltered).
WV-508 is the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) selected by this county's geographic center (polygon centroid). This Balance of State area covers communities outside separate local CoCs.
The HUD workbook reports 95 veterans for the 2019 comparison.
This is a one-night count for the whole CoC area, not a county or annual total. CoC mapping method.
If you need housing help, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. You can call any time, day or night.
Bluewell (unincorporated community): about 1,992 residents
Athens (town): about 1,494 residents
Brush Fork (unincorporated community): about 1,096 residents
More places (5)
Lashmeet (unincorporated community): about 655 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
Montcalm (unincorporated community): about 484 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
Oakvale (town): about 254 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
Bramwell (town): about 135 residents
Matoaka (unincorporated community): about 30 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
Census incorporated places and census-designated places, sorted by ACS 2020-2024 population. Figures are ACS estimates for the whole place, not only the part inside this county. Places are assigned by their 2024 Census internal point and may cross county boundaries. Sources and mapping method.
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