Major highways

Adjacent counties

• Boone County (north)
• Raleigh County (northeast)
• Mercer County (southeast)
• McDowell County (south)
• Mingo County (west)
• Logan County (northwest)

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 25,709 people, 10,454 households, and 7,704 families living in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile (20 people/km²). There were 11,698 housing units at an average density of 23 units per square mile (8.9 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.59% White, 0.63% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,454 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.30% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.30% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.40% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 27.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $23,932, and the median income for a family was $29,709. Males had a median income of $32,493 versus $18,812 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,220. About 20.20% of families and 25.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.90% of those under age 18 and 13.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 23,796 people, 9,687 households, and 6,947 families living in the county.^[13] The population density was 47.6 inhabitants per square mile (18.4/km²). There were 10,958 housing units at an average density of 21.9 units per square mile (8.5 units/km²).^[14] The racial makeup of the county was 98.2% white, 0.5% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.4% of the population.^[13] The largest ancestry groups were: 13.8% Irish, 13.2% English, 13.2% American, 12.6% German, 2.1% Italian, 1.2% Scotch-Irish, 1.2% Dutch, and 1.1% Scottish.^[15]

Of the 9,687 households, 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.3% were non-families, and 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 42.6 years.^[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $36,343 and the median income for a family was $46,221. Males had a median income of $43,942 versus $26,428 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,662. About 13.4% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.^[16]

City

• Mullens

Towns

• Oceana
• Pineville (county seat)

Magisterial districts

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities