West Virginia
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West Virginia Population News Articles
Population Density
Historic & Projected Growth
Population by County
POPULATION DENSITY
People per square mile, 2010: 77.0
People per square mile, 2020: 74.6
HISTORIC & PROJECTED GROWTH 1790 TO 2040
Year |
Population |
1790 |
55,873 |
1800 |
78,592 |
1810 |
105,469 |
1820 |
136,808 |
1830 |
176,924 |
1840 |
224,537 |
1850 |
302,313 |
1860 |
376,688 |
1870 |
442,014 |
1880 |
618,457 |
1890 |
762,794 |
1900 |
958,800 |
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 |
1,950,186 |
1990 |
1,793,477 |
2000 |
1,808,344 |
2010 |
1,852,994 |
2020 |
1,793,716 |
2030 |
*1,746,577 |
2040 |
*1,661,849 |
Sources: Census figures from U.S. Bureau of the Census & *Estimates from Weldon Cooper Center, Demographics Research Group
(The Census Bureau and Weldon Cooper Center have not yet provided updated State projections to reflect 2020 census numbers.)
Population by County
Census 2020 Population |
Census 2010 Population |
Change from 2010 |
Percent Change |
|
WEST VIRGINIA |
1,793,716 |
1,852,994 |
-59,278 |
-3.20% |
Barbour County |
15465 |
16,589 |
-1,124 |
-6.78% |
Berkeley County |
122076 |
104,169 |
17,907 |
17.19% |
Boone County |
21809 |
24,629 |
-2,820 |
-11.45% |
Braxton County |
12447 |
14,523 |
-2,076 |
-14.29% |
Brooke County |
22559 |
24,069 |
-1,510 |
-6.27% |
Cabell County |
94350 |
96,319 |
-1,969 |
-2.04% |
Calhoun County |
6229 |
7,627 |
-1,398 |
-18.33% |
Clay County |
8051 |
9,386 |
-1,335 |
-14.22% |
Doddridge County |
7808 |
8,202 |
-394 |
-4.80% |
Fayette County |
40488 |
46,039 |
-5,551 |
-12.06% |
Gilmer County |
7408 |
8,693 |
-1,285 |
-14.78% |
Grant County |
10976 |
11,937 |
-961 |
-8.05% |
Greenbrier County |
32977 |
35,480 |
-2,503 |
-7.05% |
Hampshire County |
23093 |
23,964 |
-871 |
-3.63% |
Hancock County |
29095 |
30,676 |
-1,581 |
-5.15% |
Hardy County |
14299 |
14,025 |
274 |
1.95% |
Harrison County |
65921 |
69,099 |
-3,178 |
-4.60% |
Jackson County |
27791 |
29,211 |
-1,420 |
-4.86% |
Jefferson County |
57701 |
53,498 |
4,203 |
7.86% |
Kanawha County |
180745 |
193,063 |
-12,318 |
-6.38% |
Lewis County |
17033 |
16,372 |
661 |
4.04% |
Lincoln County |
20463 |
21,720 |
-1,257 |
-5.79% |
Logan County |
32567 |
36,743 |
-4,176 |
-11.37% |
McDowell County |
19111 |
22,113 |
-3,002 |
-13.58% |
Marion County |
56205 |
56,418 |
-213 |
-0.38% |
Marshall County |
30591 |
33,107 |
-2,516 |
-7.60% |
Mason County |
25453 |
27,324 |
-1,871 |
-6.85% |
Mercer County |
59664 |
62,264 |
-2,600 |
-4.18% |
Mineral County |
26938 |
28,212 |
-1,274 |
-4.52% |
Mingo County |
23568 |
26,839 |
-3,271 |
-12.19% |
Monongalia County |
105822 |
96,189 |
9,633 |
10.01% |
Monroe County |
12376 |
13,502 |
-1,126 |
-8.34% |
Morgan County |
17063 |
17,541 |
-478 |
-2.73% |
Nicholas County |
24604 |
26,233 |
-1,629 |
-6.21% |
Ohio County |
42425 |
44,443 |
-2,018 |
-4.54% |
Pendleton County |
6143 |
7,695 |
-1,552 |
-20.17% |
Pleasants County |
7653 |
7,605 |
48 |
0.63% |
Pocahontas County |
7869 |
8,719 |
-850 |
-9.75% |
Preston County |
34216 |
33,520 |
696 |
2.08% |
Putnam County |
57440 |
55,486 |
1,954 |
3.52% |
Raleigh County |
74591 |
78,859 |
-4,268 |
-5.41% |
Randolph County |
27932 |
29,405 |
-1,473 |
-5.01% |
Ritchie County |
8444 |
10,449 |
-2,005 |
-19.19% |
Roane County |
14028 |
14,926 |
-898 |
-6.02% |
Summers County |
11959 |
13,927 |
-1,968 |
-14.13% |
Taylor County |
16705 |
16,895 |
-190 |
-1.12% |
Tucker County |
6762 |
7,141 |
-379 |
-5.31% |
Tyler County |
8313 |
9,208 |
-895 |
-9.72% |
Upshur County |
23816 |
24,254 |
-438 |
-1.81% |
Wayne County |
38982 |
42,481 |
-3,499 |
-8.24% |
Webster County |
8378 |
9,154 |
-776 |
-8.48% |
Wetzel County |
14442 |
16,583 |
-2,141 |
-12.91% |
Wirt County |
5194 |
5,717 |
-523 |
-9.15% |
Wood County |
84296 |
86,956 |
-2,660 |
-3.06% |
Wyoming County |
21382 |
23,796 |
-2,414 |
-10.14% |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census
West Virginia Population News Articles
West Virginia among winners of competition to produce hydrogen fuel – October 12, 2023
Discover the Largest Cities in West Virginia (By Population, Total Area, and Economic Impact) – October 6, 2023
West Virginia Latinos share importance of fighting immigration misconceptions, impact of Hispanic culture – October 5, 2023
New documentary puts spotlight on Minden, West Virginia, pollution and cancers – September 25, 2023
In West Virginia, Plan to Clean up Radioactive Fracking Waste Ends in Monster Lawsuit – September 22, 2023
EPA Region 3 Celebrates Electric School Bus Delivery in Wirt County, West Virginia – September 15, 2023
Mission WV receives funding for evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention program across the state – July 5, 2023
Professor investigates variation in drinking water quality in W.Va. – July 5, 2023
Little publicized but treacherous, methane from coal mines upends the lives of West Virginia families – July 2, 2023
The best trees to cultivate in West Virginia to sustain pollinators – June 19, 2023
WV Among Top States for Public Health Harms from Fossil Fuels – June 29, 2023
Historic Winchester and Western Railroad to Serve New West Virginia Steel Mill – December 11, 2022
Morgantown, West Virginia, passes resolution to reduce greenhouse gas – December 9, 2022
‘I just walk all night to stay warm’: As more people live on the streets, unsheltered West Virginians struggle to survive – December 8, 2022
Revealed: Nearly 100 potential PFAS-polluted sites in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia from fracking waste – December 7, 2022
6 Steps to a More Flood-Resilient West Virginia – November 30, 2022
$500 million program to site clean energy projects at former mines – July 7, 2022
Environmental, labor groups join forces to fight climate change – June 21, 2022
West Virginia Communities Receive Funding For Flood Protection And Rural Water Supply Projects Through Infrastructure Investment And Jobs Act – March 9, 2022
Upshur, Barbour, Lincoln County (West Virginia) school systems to receive EPA funding for eco- friendly buses– March 8, 2022
West Virginia has the highest percentage of bridges in poor condition, data shows – March 1, 2022
Fastest-growing counties in West Virginia – February 28, 2022
2021 West Virginia farm & land numbers released – February 23, 2022
An Army of Two Fights Pollution in West Virginia’s Waterways – November 29, 2021
WV State Auditor plans to launch program to track federal infrastructure dollars – November 28, 2021
West Virginia has the third worst road infrastructure, report finds – November 23, 2021
West Virginia under toxic threat from highest industrial selenium pollution levels in the country – November 19, 2021
West Virginia at Risk for Greater Climate Change Costs With Manchin Holding Out on Spending Plan – November 5, 2021
Union Carbide Faces New Lawsuit Over Water Pollution – September 10, 2021
Counties most concerned about climate change in West Virginia – September 5, 2021
Mountaintop mining causes 40% loss of aquatic biodiversity – September 2, 2021
West Virginia’s climate has warmed by 2.17° F since 1970 – August 28, 2021
West Virginia’s vital mussel population at risk according to report – August 24, 2021
‘All the water’s bad’: In McDowell County, you have to get creative to find safe drinking water – June 17, 2021
Rising CO2 Levels Could Change W.Va. – June 15, 2021
West Virginia Town Residents Say Coal Dust Is Taking Their Breath Away – June 14, 2021
Lovettsville Council to Write EPA on Rockwool Concerns – June 11, 2021
Groups gauging blowout’s impact on Cheat River and Muddy Creek – March 14, 2021
Another attempt to tighten drinking water health criteria rule fails on House floor as Hansen amendment defeated – March 12, 2021
More environmental rollbacks moving through West Virginia’s Legislature – March 10, 2021
House approves rollback of state regulation of oil and gas tanks near water intakes – March 10, 2021
WV congressman not giving the green light for the President’s green energy push – February 22, 2021
Climate Change in W.Va.: ‘Nobody Wants to Drink Unsafe Water’ – December 1, 2020
Proposed settlement would require Marshall County plant to limit mercury pollution, fund river conservation – December 1, 2020
Court Halts Key Permits for Mountain Valley Pipeline – November 10, 2020
First Energy announces long-term goal of carbon neutrality – November 9, 2020
W.Va. environmental, social justice groups release climate change guide – September 30, 2020
$12 million committed to improvement projects at WV state parks – September 25, 2020
Legislators and citizen groups call for a stronger water quality rule – September 23, 2020
Senate Report Calls for Natural Solutions to Battle Climate Change – August 31, 2020
Judge Rules Justice-Controlled Coal Company Liable For Pollution Violations At W.Va. Mine – July 27, 2020
WV Groups Sue DEP Over Feared Collapse of Mine Reclamation Fund – July 21, 2020
Corridor H makes progress towards connecting West Virginia – July 16, 2020
The Impacts of Climate Change and the Trump Administration’s Anti-Environmental Agenda in West Virginia – June 2, 2020
WV communities receive funding for broadband, water and sewer projects – June 3, 2020
Construction begins on Forks of Coal nature center – June 5, 2020
Tucker County Mine Permit Renewal Draws Concerns Over Future Of Beaver Creek – June 10, 2020
After Deadly Floods, West Virginia Created A Resiliency Office. It’s Barely Functioning. – January 27, 2020
New Trump administration proposal would roll back environmental law to speed development – January 9, 2020
Study Finds Coal Closures Saved Thousands Of Lives – January 7, 2020
How many West Virginia students are homeless? – October 11, 2019
Residents of this West Virginia coal town say now is the time to rebuild, sustain coal industry – October 7, 2019
We’re Just Starting to Learn How Fracking Harms Wildlife – October 2, 2019
Report: Majority of WV counties in bottom third nationally for safe drinking water – October 2, 2019
Local programs raising awareness of bird population decline and land conservation – September 29, 2019
Lyme disease continues its rapid spread in WV – August 23, 2019
Appalachian pipelines face new setbacks amid renewed national scrutiny – August 15, 2019
Hotter, wetter, dryer: WVU research forecasts an uptick in extreme weather, temperatures in West Virginia – August 11, 2019
Sierra Club, others oppose Mason coal-to-liquids plant – August 11, 2019
Addressing climate change in West Virginia – June 28, 2019
West Virginia Rivers Coalition establishes local presence – June 8, 2019
West Virginia Coal Industry Data Shows Mines Releasing Excessive Pollution – June 5, 2019
A European plant burns trash for energy in West Virginia. Will it further upend coal? – April 29, 2019
Pioneer Trail to get $2.2M for repairs – April 26, 2019
Air Pollution Continues to Decline, Smog Remains a Problem – April 24, 2019
Report: Nearly 20 percent of WV bridges structurally deficient – April 14, 2019
Berkeley County moves forward with litter control efforts despite Senate bill veto – April 7, 2019
Committee abruptly adjourns during refugee, sanctuary city discussion – February 6, 2019
Heresy? The operator of the country’s ‘cleanest, most modern’ coal plant is trying out gas and solar – February 4, 2019
Senate gives industry more time on water quality standards – February 8, 2019
Unger proposes public meeting requirement for air, water permits – January 21, 2019
Landslide, Rupture Issues Raise Problems for Gas Pipeline Permit – January 11, 2019