Medicare in Mercer County by the numbers
| Mercer County | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 13,460 | 380,679 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 23.2% | 21.5% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 16,140 | 458,491 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 9,608 | 259,694 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 59.5% | 56.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 13,460 residents age 65 and older, Mercer County is 8th among 55 West Virginia counties for older residents. That group is 23.2% of its population, compared with 21.5% across West Virginia. The 3,697 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Census 2023 estimates show 58% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 32% is 75 to 84 and 10% is 85 or older. CMS data show 59.5% of Mercer County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is close to the 56.6% average across West Virginia. A county average does not tell you which kind of plan fits you. Whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan is the better fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions and how you want to handle costs, so we compare both for your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Mercer County
Mercer County is a smaller-city and town county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of 20,000 or more, adjacent to a metro area. Counties like this often sit between a metro area and rural communities, so some residents use hospitals and specialists in a neighboring county and a plan’s network across the county line matters.
CMS counts 16,960 Medicare beneficiaries in Mercer County (2023). Their average age is 71, about the same as the West Virginia average of 72. About 25% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 20%. Where many people have both, special plans for dual-eligible members can matter; see our Medicaid and dual eligible guide, since availability varies by plan and area.
Among people in Original Medicare in Mercer County, CMS reported about 723 emergency room visits and 256 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (684) and close to it for hospital stays (250). About 8% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Mercer County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Mercer County; we help Mercer County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Mercer County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Mercer County:
- Princeton Community Hospital Association — Princeton (acute care; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 2 of 5)
A hospital being in the county does not mean every plan covers it. Medicare Advantage networks differ by plan, so we check the hospitals and doctors you actually use before you enroll. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Where people live in Mercer County
People in Mercer County live in communities such as Bluefield (9,272), Princeton (5,642), Athens (942), Bramwell (265), Oakvale (131) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Mercer County, that means areas such as 24701, 24712, 24714, 24715, 24724, 24729, 24731, 24733, 24737, 24738, 24739, 24740, 24747, 25820 and 3 more, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Mercer County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner: West Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Mercer County residents
Here is what we can help Mercer County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities and Medicare Advantage.
Let’s check your Mercer County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare 101 for families
Mercer County compared with similar West Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison County | 13,527 | 57.5% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Marion County | 11,428 | 58.9% | 19% | Smaller city/town |
| Greenbrier County | 8,112 | 52.6% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Logan County | 7,044 | 65.3% | 29% | Smaller city/town |
| Randolph County | 6,232 | 54.4% | 21% | Smaller city/town |
| Mineral County | 6,202 | 41.1% | 16% | Smaller city/town |
See every West Virginia county in our West Virginia directory or go to our West Virginia Medicare hub.