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Despard, WV
Census-designated place in Harrison County, West Virginia.
Population
972
Land area
1.5sq mi
People per sq mi
663
ZIP codes
0
Despard and its ZIP codes
Despard at a glance
- Despard is about 9 times as dense as West Virginia as a whole.
- The median household income is $24,455, 59% below the West Virginia median of $59,608.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $86,500 (47% below West Virginia) and median rent is $654 a month.
Local data for Despard, WV
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Despard, WV, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$24,455
Poverty rate
26.1%
Median home value
$86,500
Median rent
$654/mo
Homeownership
53.6%
Bachelor's or higher
10.5%
Median age
33.6
Average commute
17.3 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (299), German Americans (97), Italian Americans (92).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Harrison County. PPP loans are for Despard.
Unemployment rate
3.5%
Aug 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$65,744
37,414 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$65,896
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$669M
FY 2026, $10,142 per person
How people get to work
Despard, WV, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone59.0%
- Carpooled3.9%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked34.8%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home2.3%
Average one-way commute: 17.3 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Despard, WV, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
653
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
162
0.5% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
85° / 22°F
48.2 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Despard, WV, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
44.2%
U.S. 33.3% +10.9 pts
Diabetes
17.9%
U.S. 12.1% +5.8 pts
Smoking
24.1%
U.S. 12.8% +11.3 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.4%
U.S. 11.1% -1.7 pts
Cities near Despard
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| East ViewCensus-designated place | 1.5 mi | 1 |
| ClarksburgCity | 1.6 mi | 9.7 |
| Nutter FortTown | 2 mi | 0.9 |
| AnmooreTown | 2.2 mi | 1.1 |
| StonewoodCity | 2.5 mi | 0.9 |
| HepzibahCensus-designated place | 3.1 mi | 0.9 |
| BridgeportCity | 3.4 mi | 10.6 |
| SpelterCensus-designated place | 3.8 mi | 0.5 |
| GypsyCensus-designated place | 5.2 mi | 0.8 |
| LumberportTown | 6.2 mi | 0.5 |
| ReynoldsvilleCensus-designated place | 6.7 mi | 1.4 |
| ShinnstonCity | 7 mi | 1.7 |
| West MilfordTown | 7.5 mi | 0.5 |
| Wolf SummitCensus-designated place | 7.8 mi | 0.4 |
| Lost CreekTown | 8.9 mi | 1 |
| EnterpriseCensus-designated place | 9.2 mi | 2.9 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Despard, WV in?
- Despard is in Harrison County, West Virginia.
- What is the population of Despard, WV?
- About 972 people live in Despard, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Despard?
- Nearby places include East View (1.5 mi), Clarksburg (1.6 mi), Nutter Fort (2 mi), Anmoore (2.2 mi), Stonewood (2.5 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023