| City: | West Liberty, West Virginia |
| County: | Ohio County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 7:45:36 PM |
| Population: | 1,324 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 304 / 681 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 40.1700, -80.5939 |
| Land Area: | 0.975 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
West Liberty, West Virginia sits in Ohio County near the state's northern panhandle. This isn't a typical town. It's a college campus. Of the 1,324 residents, 949 live in group quarters, which means 72% of the population lives in dormitory housing. The median age is 20.8 years.
West Liberty University dominates the community. Street names make this clear: Faculty Drive, University Drive, and Hilltopper Lane (the university's athletic teams are called the Hilltoppers). Van Meter Way has 35 delivery points, mostly apartments serving students. The campus footprint covers 0.75 square miles.
Mail reaches the campus through one rural carrier route. Despite the PO Box classification, this ZIP doesn't actually have PO Boxes (the count is zero). Instead, mail goes to residence halls, academic buildings, and apartments. The 162 single-family homes likely house faculty, staff, and off-campus students.
The educational profile matches a university community. Among adults 25 and older, 48.7% hold bachelor's degrees or higher. That's well above the national average. Median household income is $51,875, and median home values sit at $158,300.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 1,324 |
| Median Age | 20.8 years |
| Group Quarters Population | 949 (71.7%) |
| Occupied Housing Units | 173 |
| Owner-Occupied | 96 (55.5%) |
| Renter-Occupied | 77 (44.5%) |
| White Population | 1,196 (90.3%) |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.7% |
To send mail to West Liberty University:
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West Liberty, WV 26074Van Meter Way dominates with 35 delivery points in apartment units, while Faculty Drive and University Drive clearly identify the academic institution.
ZIP Code 26074 has 1,324 residents and 173 households (average 2.17 persons per household). The median age is 20.8 years, significantly younger than the state (42.9) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 41.7% male and 58.3% female, which is much lower than the state male share (49.6%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (90.3%, much higher than the national average of 61.6%) and Black or African American (4.4%, much lower than the national average of 12.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 1.0%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 1,324Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 1,391Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 338Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 1,357.9 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $50,000Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 173Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $164,800Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.17Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.79Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 971 | 1,100 | 1,152 | 1,206 | 1,218 | 1,273 | 1,220 | 1,242 | 1,190 | 1,205 | 1,501 | 1,602 | 1,461 | 1,391 |
| Decennial Census | 1,184 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,324 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 20.8
Male Median Age: 21.3
Female Median Age: 20.5
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 7 | 6 | 9 | 137 | 282 | 21 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Female | 5 | 6 | 6 | 290 | 379 | 19 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Total | 12 | 12 | 15 | 427 | 661 | 40 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 5 |
| White: | 1,196 | 91.86% |
| Black: | 58 | 4.45% |
| Hispanic:* | 13 | 1.00% |
| Asian: | 16 | 1.23% |
| American Indian: | 3 | 0.23% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 16 | 1.23% |
| Total: | 1,302 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 552 | 41.69% | 21.3 years |
| Females: | 772 | 58.31% | 20.5 years |
| Total: | 1,324 | 100% | 20.8 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 1,324 | 95.18% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 4 | 0.29% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 7 | 0.50% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 56 | 4.53% |
| Total Population: | 1,391 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 1,328 | 95.47% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 63 | 4.53% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $50,000, which is far less than the national median ($80,734), is up $10,947 (28.0%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $9,062. Family households earn a median of $96,250 versus $40,119 for nonfamily households (a difference of $56,131). By gender, male median income is $40,833 and female is $38,472, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $2,361 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 55.4%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 7.7%, which is considerably above the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (37.9%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $39,053 | $40,776 | $26,429 | $31,250 | $33,333 | $48,207 | $51,964 | $51,705 | $40,938 | $34,423 | $46,250 | $42,500 | $51,875 | $50,000 |
| Median Family Income | $45,417 | $46,250 | $45,313 | $49,167 | $48,214 | $53,333 | $54,318 | $59,286 | $60,625 | $78,250 | $80,357 | $87,857 | $93,750 | $96,250 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $37,576 | $26,786 | $18,787 | $18,790 | $18,306 | $17,850 | $18,646 | $18,125 | $18,750 | $9,430 | $35,441 | $35,357 | $34,000 | $40,119 |
| Median Male Income | $38,173 | $31,563 | $26,875 | $43,750 | $36,563 | $33,125 | $39,063 | $33,500 | $30,000 | $36,250 | $36,458 | $39,444 | $40,938 | $40,833 |
| Median Female Income | $9,613 | $11,169 | $10,875 | $11,324 | $13,750 | $16,339 | $17,400 | $20,250 | $16,964 | $30,801 | $33,464 | $35,842 | $38,438 | $38,472 |
| Employed: | 699 | 51.13% |
| Unemployed: | 58 | 4.24% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 610 | 44.62% |
| Total: | 1,367 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 134 | 19.17% |
| Service: | 265 | 37.91% |
| Sales and Office: | 223 | 31.90% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 16 | 2.29% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 61 | 8.73% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 699 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $164,800, which is considerably lower than the national median ($332,700), is up $39,300 (31.31%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $55,400. The median gross rent is $893, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is up $448 (100.67%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $364. Of occupied housing, owners make up 63.74% (31.03% with a mortgage, 68.97% free-and-clear) and renters 36.26% - making this ZIP Code higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 18.39%, which is much higher than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $125,500 | $111,600 | $95,700 | $98,300 | $99,700 | $107,700 | $108,100 | $113,400 | $109,400 | $114,200 | $116,000 | $150,000 | $158,300 | $164,800 |
| Less than $500: | 8 | 12.12% |
| $500 to $999: | 28 | 42.42% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 18 | 27.27% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 9 | 13.64% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 3 | 4.55% |
| Total: | 66 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $445 | $467 | $530 | $518 | $500 | $514 | $561 | $535 | $529 | $1,659 | $883 | $883 | $956 | $893 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 36 | 19.78% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 80 | 43.96% |
| Renter Occupied: | 66 | 36.26% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 182 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 182 | 81.61% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 41 | 18.39% |
| Total Housing Units: | 223 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 160 | 71.75% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 60 | 26.91% |
| Other Units: | 3 | 1.35% |
| Total Housing Units: | 223 | 100% |
In 2024, 52.60% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 92.70%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 7.20%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). Public coverage is 18.30%, which is far lower than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), down 8.10 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.20 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (98.22%). College enrollment is 98.22%, which is far higher than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community is likely a college hub with student-driven housing and services.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 4 | 1.46% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 16 | 5.84% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 66 | 24.09% |
| Some college, no degree: | 29 | 10.58% |
| Associate's degree: | 15 | 5.47% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 94 | 34.31% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 50 | 18.25% |
| Total: | 274 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 254 | 92.70% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 144 | 52.55% |
| Private Insurance: | 1,118 | 75.90% |
| Public Insurance: | 255 | 17.31% |
| No Insurance: | 100 | 6.79% |
| Total: | 1,473 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 1,373 | 93.21% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 14.8% | 33.3% | 31.1% | 26.1% | 19.8% | 14.7% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 6.9% | 3.0% | 6.6% | 8.0% | 6.7% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 4 | 0.37% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 8 | 0.75% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 7 | 0.65% |
| College or graduate school: | 1,050 | 98.22% |
| Total: | 1,069 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 4 | 0.37% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 15 | 1.40% |
ZIP Code 26074 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 10 business establishments, employing about 90 people with an annual payroll of $1,996,000. USPS data shows 156 residential mailboxes and 8 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 156Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 8Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 318Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 144Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 10Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $500,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,996,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 90Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 26074 is located in Ohio County, West Virginia, within the Wheeling, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 48540) and West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 147,950 people, about 0.89% of whom live in ZIP Code 26074. It covers 0.975 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.001 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Wheeling, WV-OHSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 48540Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 147,950Source: Census |
| MSA: | Wheeling, WV-OH MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 0.975 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.001 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 02Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 8017.31 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 5485876Source: Census |
| Place Name: | West Liberty town; West VirginiaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 26074 is in the Ohio County School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on March 1, 2026.