Rank #39 by Population · Updated April 2026
West Virginia Population 2026
The population of West Virginia is 1,784,462 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 39th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $57,917, the median home value is $155,600, and the median age is 42.7.
West Virginia's population has grown 44.9% since 1910 (1,221,119 → 1,769,979).
1,784,462
Population
74
People / sq mi
$57,917
Median Income
42.7
Median Age
West Virginia covers 24,041 sq mi of land at a density of 74.2 people per square mile.
About West Virginia
West Virginia is a US state with a population of 1,784,462. It ranks #39 among US states by population. The median age is 42.7, older than the national median. The population is 49.9% male and 50.1% female.
The median household income in West Virginia is $57,917, below the US median of $74,580. 11.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $155,600, with monthly rent averaging $850. The homeownership rate of 74.3% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in West Virginia reflects 23.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 8.0% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 26.6 minutes each way.
West Virginia, #39 by population
West Virginia Population History (1910-2024)
The state of West Virginia had a population of 1,221,119 in 1910 and 1,769,979 in 2024, a 44.9% growth over 114 years. The peak was 2,005,552 in 1950. Average annual growth rate: 0.18%.
1,769,979
Population (2024)
1,221,119
Population (1910)
2,005,552
Peak (1950)
0.18%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 1,221,119 |
| 1920 | 1,463,701 |
| 1930 | 1,729,205 |
| 1940 | 1,901,974 |
| 1950 | 2,005,552 |
| 1960 | 1,860,421 |
| 1970 | 1,744,237 |
| 1980 | 1,949,644 |
| 1990 | 1,793,477 |
| 2000 | 1,808,344 |
| 2010 | 1,852,994 |
| 2020 | 1,793,716 |
| 2020 | 1,791,646 |
| 2021 | 1,785,618 |
| 2022 | 1,774,122 |
| 2023 | 1,770,495 |
| 2024 | 1,769,979 |
Age Distribution
Male: 49.9% · Female: 50.1%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 90.9% |
| Black or African American | 3.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.1% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1% |
Economy & Income
$57,917
Median Household Income
$32,949
Per Capita Income
11.9%
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Unemployment Rate
$78,799
Mean Household Income
50.4%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
West Virginia's overall price level is 89.5 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 10.5% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, West Virginia's median household income of $57,917 has the buying power of $64,714 in average-priced areas.
89.5
Price Level (US = 100)
$64,714
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$57,917
Nominal Median Income
Education
88.6%
High School Graduate+
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
16,929
Live Births (2022)
9.5
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
54.9%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 92.7% |
| Black or African American | 3.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 2.4% |
Housing
$155,600
Median Home Value
$850
Median Rent
859,653
Total Housing Units
74.3%
Owner-Occupied
25.7%
Renter-Occupied
16.1%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
97.5% of West Virginia residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in West Virginia:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 4,996 | 0.29% |
| 2 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 1,086 | 0.06% |
| 3 | Arabic | 730 | 0.04% |
| 4 | Vietnamese | 488 | 0.03% |
| 5 | French (incl. Cajun) | 434 | 0.03% |
| 6 | German | 382 | 0.02% |
| 7 | Korean | 370 | 0.02% |
| 8 | Nepali, Marathi, or other Indic | 291 | 0.02% |
| 9 | Japanese | 277 | 0.02% |
| 10 | Hindi | 230 | 0.01% |
Commute
0.6%
Drive Alone
2.6%
Carpool
8.0%
Work From Home
26.6 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in West Virginia
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston | 47,918 |
| 2 | Huntington | 46,189 |
| 3 | Morgantown | 30,273 |
| 4 | Parkersburg | 29,461 |
| 5 | Wheeling | 26,670 |
| 6 | Martinsburg | 18,805 |
| 7 | Weirton | 18,785 |
| 8 | Fairmont | 18,303 |
| 9 | Beckley | 16,977 |
| 10 | Clarksburg | 15,829 |
| 11 | Teays Valley | 13,961 |
| 12 | South Charleston | 13,594 |
| 13 | St. Albans | 10,637 |
| 14 | Vienna | 10,575 |
| 15 | Cheat Lake | 10,485 |
| 16 | Cross Lanes | 10,172 |
Counties in West Virginia
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kanawha County | 178,198 | $58,887 |
| 2 | Berkeley County | 126,165 | $77,329 |
| 3 | Monongalia County | 106,520 | $62,704 |
| 4 | Cabell County | 93,300 | $52,828 |
| 5 | Wood County | 83,829 | $56,193 |
| 6 | Raleigh County | 73,666 | $52,055 |
| 7 | Harrison County | 65,407 | $58,326 |
| 8 | Mercer County | 59,062 | $47,799 |
| 9 | Jefferson County | 58,546 | $95,523 |
| 10 | Putnam County | 57,250 | $77,871 |
| 11 | Marion County | 56,042 | $67,537 |
| 12 | Ohio County | 41,904 | $57,867 |
| 13 | Fayette County | 39,987 | $52,672 |
| 14 | Wayne County | 38,498 | $55,539 |
| 15 | Preston County | 34,204 | $61,373 |
| 16 | Greenbrier County | 32,688 | $48,662 |
| 17 | Logan County | 31,826 | $47,237 |
| 18 | Marshall County | 30,129 | $60,329 |
| 19 | Hancock County | 28,658 | $61,017 |
| 20 | Randolph County | 27,782 | $55,057 |
Compare West Virginia
Rankings for West Virginia
Read more about West Virginia
A complete guide to West Virginia demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
West Virginia Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in West Virginia
Congressional districts in West Virginia
Largest school districts in West Virginia
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about West Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
West Virginia has a population of 1,784,462 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 39th-most populous state in the United States.
West Virginia is gaining population, with a +44.9% change over the available historical Census record. West Virginia's population has grown 44.9% since 1910 (1,221,119 → 1,769,979).
The median household income in West Virginia is $57,917, with a per capita income of $32,949. 11.9% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
90.9% of West Virginia's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 3.3% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 1.1% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
West Virginia is 90.9% White, 3.3% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 1.1% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in West Virginia is 42.7 years. The population is 49.9% male and 50.1% female.
West Virginia's population has grown 44.9% since 1910 (1,221,119 → 1,769,979).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. West Virginia's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
States Similar to West Virginia
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.