West Virginia

State

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2019 Population

1.79M

0.758% 1-year decline

US Senator

Joe Manchin

Democratic Party

US Senator

Shelley Moore Capito

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

42.9

0.234% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

17.6%

1.12% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$48,850

10.8% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$124,600

2.72% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

722,139

0.781% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, West Virginia had a population of 1.79M people with a median age of 42.9 and a median household income of $48,850. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of West Virginia declined from 1.81M to 1.79M, a −0.758% decrease and its median household income grew from $44,097 to $48,850, a 10.8% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in West Virginia are White (Non-Hispanic) (92%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.63%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.7%), White (Hispanic) (1.03%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.786%). 0% of the households in West Virginia speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

99.2% of the residents in West Virginia are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in West Virginia are American Public University System (12,273 degrees awarded in 2020), West Virginia University (6,577 degrees), and Marshall University (3,062 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in West Virginia was $124,600, and the homeownership rate was 73.4%. Most people in West Virginia drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.3 minutes. The average car ownership in West Virginia was 2 cars per household.

West Virginia borders Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

About the photo: Autumn sunrise scenery from the Bear Rocks area of the Dolly Sods Wilderness near Davis, West Virginia (USA). HDR composite from multiple exposures.

Photo by Nicolas Raymond

United States

Diversity

West Virginia is home to a population of 1.79M people, from which 99.2% are citizens. As of 2019, 1.68% of West Virginia residents were born outside of the country (30.2k people).

In 2019, there were 25.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (1.65M people) in West Virginia than any other race or ethnicity. There were 65k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 30.4k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in West Virginia

White (Non-Hispanic)
1.65M ± 2.33k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
65k ± 3.41k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
30.4k ± 2.84k

1.5%

Hispanic Population

26.8k people

1.5% of the people in West Virginia are hispanic (26.8k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in West Virginia as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

1.68%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

30.2k people

1.64%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

29.6k people

As of 2019, 1.68% of West Virginia residents (30.2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in West Virginia was 1.64%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in West Virginia compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 3.1

In 2019, the median age of all people in West Virginia was 42.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 43, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in West Virginia are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all West Virginia residents was 43.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Philippines
2,472 ± 1,220 people
China
2,356 ± 1,191 people
India
1,979 ± 1,092 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of West Virginia was Philippines, the natal country of 2,472 West Virginia residents, followed by China with 2,356 and India with 1,979.

Citizenship

99.2%

2019 Citizenship

99.3%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 99.2% of West Virginia residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in West Virginia was 99.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in West Virginia compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
45,244 ± 2,960
Gulf War (2001-)
20,244 ± 2,444
Gulf War (1990s)
15,699 ± 2,131

West Virginia has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.23 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in West Virginia, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in West Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in West Virginia. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in West Virginia.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of West Virginia across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in West Virginia is $48,850. In 2019, the county with the highest Median Household Income in West Virginia was Berkeley County, WV with a value of $62,370, followed by Monongalia County, WV and Harrison County, WV, with respective values of $55,940 and $54,314.

Males in West Virginia have an average income that is 1.31 times higher than the average income of females, which is $43,820. The income inequality in West Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.44, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of West Virginia employs 722k people. The largest industries in West Virginia are Elementary & secondary schools (53,031 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (52,118 people), and Construction (46,132 people), and the highest paying industries are Securities, commodities, funds, trusts & other financial investments ($134,296), Nonferrous metal (except aluminum) production & processing ($120,337), and Air transportation ($119,627).

Wages

Median Household Income

$48,850

2019 value

± $1,131

10.8%

1 Year Growth

± 2.95%

Households in West Virginia have a median annual income of $48,850, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $44,097 in 2018, which represents a 10.8% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in West Virginia compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

$57,511

Average Male Salary in West Virginia

± $2,146

$43,820

Average Female Salary in West Virginia

± $1,848

In 2019, full-time male employees in West Virginia made 1.31 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in West Virginia by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in West Virginia

Asian
$67,060 ± $24,682
American Indian
$47,458 ± $25,432
White
$44,925 ± $1,316

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of West Virginia workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.41 times more than American Indian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in West Virginia.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in West Virginia by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

0.44

2019 Wage GINI in West Virginia

0.451

2018 Wage GINI in West Virginia

In 2019, the income inequality in West Virginia was 0.44 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 2.52% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for West Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in West Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in West Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2019, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in West Virginia was Berkeley County, WV with a value of $62,370, followed by Monongalia County, WV and Harrison County, WV, with respective values of $55,940 and $54,314.

The following map shows all of the counties in West Virginia colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

17.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Virginia (310k out of 1.77M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
279,725 ± 3,837
Black
17,294 ± 933
Two Or More
7,781 ± 641

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in West Virginia is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

722k

2019 Value

0.781%

1 Year growth

± 0.781%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in West Virginia grew at a rate of 0.781%, from 717k employees to 722k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Virginia, are Cashiers (23,172 people), Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (23,167 people), and Registered nurses (18,992 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of West Virginia.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of West Virginia, by number of employees, are Cashiers (23,172 people), Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (23,167 people), and Registered nurses (18,992 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other states, West Virginia has an unusually high number of residents working as Mining machine operators (17.3 times higher than expected), Miscellaneous material moving workers, including mine shuttle car operators, & tank car, truck, & ship loaders (6.88 times), and Embalmers & funeral attendants (6.36 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of West Virginia, by average salary, are Personal financial advisors ($232,929), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers ($193,325), and Physicians ($187,969).

Industries

Employment by Industries

722k

2019 Value

0.781%

1 Year growth

± 0.781%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in West Virginia grew at a rate of 0.781%, from 717k employees to 722k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Virginia, are Elementary & secondary schools (53,031 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (52,118 people), and Construction (46,132 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of West Virginia, though some of these residents may live in West Virginia and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in West Virginia, by number of employees, are Elementary & secondary schools (53,031 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (52,118 people), and Construction (46,132 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other states, West Virginia has an unusually high number of Coal mining (42.8 times higher than expected), Pipeline transportation (9.09 times), and Pottery, ceramics, & plumbing fixture manufacturing (8.55 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in West Virginia, by average salary, are Securities, commodities, funds, trusts & other financial investments ($134,296), Nonferrous metal (except aluminum) production & processing ($120,337), and Air transportation ($119,627).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from West Virginia to other states, or from other states to West Virginia.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Coal-n.e.c.
$8.42B
Coal
$6.05B
Plastics/rubber
$5.79B

In 2020, the top outbound West Virginia product (by dollars) was Coal-n.e.c. with $8.42B, followed by Coal ($6.05B) and Plastics/rubber ($5.79B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound West Virginia products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for West Virginia.

$65.6B

2020 Value in West Virginia

$114B

Projected 2050 Value in West Virginia

74.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound West Virginia trade was $65.6B. This is expected to increase 74.3% to $114B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound West Virginia trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from West Virginia to other states, or from other states to West Virginia.

Most Common Trade Partners

Ohio
$9.85B
Pennsylvania
$5.83B
Virginia
$3.98B

In 2020, the top outbound West Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Ohio with $9.85B, followed by Pennsylvania with $5.83B and Virginia and $3.98B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that West Virginia shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in West Virginia went to Donald J. Trump with 68.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (29.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.34%). The most partisan county was Grant County, WV with 88.4% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito are the senators currently representing the state of West Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

West Virginia is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (68.6%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (29.7%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.34%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in West Virginia went to Donald J. Trump with 68.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (29.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.34%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in West Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for West Virginia

68.6% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in West Virginia

Grant County, WV
88.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Wyoming County, WV
85.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Mingo County, WV
85.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in West Virginia was Grant County, WV with 88.4% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in West Virginia colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from West Virginia

Joe Manchin

Senator from West Virginia

Assumed office on November 15, 2010
Elected to the seat to succeed Carte Goodwin, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Robert Byrd.

Shelley Moore Capito

Senator from West Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito are the senators currently representing West Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in West Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from West Virginia

West Virginia is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for West Virginia have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in West Virginia awarded 36,176 degrees. The student population of West Virginia is skewed towards women, with 68,755 male students and 70,807 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Virginia are White (26,046 and 74.2%), followed by Black or African American (3,220 and 9.17%), Hispanic or Latino (2,174 and 6.19%), and Unknown (1,695 and 4.83%).

The largest universities in West Virginia by number of degrees awarded are American Public University System (12,273 and 33.9%), West Virginia University (6,577 and 18.2%), and Marshall University (3,062 and 8.46%).

The most popular majors in West Virginia are General Business Administration & Management (3,547 and 9.8%), General Studies (2,663 and 7.36%), and Registered Nursing (1,547 and 4.28%).

The median tuition costs in West Virginia are $28,950 for private four year colleges, and $7,339 and $15,014 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
1,988 degree-majorss awarded
General Studies
1,021 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
733 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in West Virginia was General Business Administration & Management with 1,988 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in West Virginia according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

American Public University System
12,273 degrees awarded
West Virginia University
6,577 degrees awarded
Marshall University
3,062 degrees awarded

$7,339

Median In-State Public

$28,950

Median Private

In 2020, the West Virginia institution with the largest number of graduating students was American Public University System with 12,273 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

17,518

Degrees Awarded to Men

18,658

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 17,518 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Virginia, which is 0.939 times less than the 18,658 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 institutions in West Virginia by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
26,046 degrees awarded
Black or African American
3,220 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
2,174 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in West Virginia was White students. These 26,046 degrees mean that there were 8.09 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 3,220 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in West Virginia was $124,600 in 2019, which is 0.518 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $121,300 to $124,600, a 2.72% increase. The homeownership rate in West Virginia is 73.4%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in West Virginia have an average commute time of 25.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in West Virginia is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$124,600

2019 Median

± $2,889

$121,300

2018 Median

± $2,213

In 2019, the median property value in West Virginia grew to to $124,600 from the previous year's value of $121,300.

The following charts display, first, the property values in West Virginia compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In West Virginia the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$48,850

Median Household Income

± $1,131

728k

Number of Households

± 13,790

In 2019, the median household income of the 728k households in West Virginia grew to $48,850 from the previous year's value of $44,097.

The following chart displays the households in West Virginia distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in West Virginia distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In West Virginia the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

73.4%

2019 Homeownership

72.5%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 73.4% of the housing units in West Virginia were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 72.5%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in West Virginia compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

25.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in West Virginia have a shorter commute time (25.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26 minutes). Additionally, 3.9% of the workforce in West Virginia have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in West Virginia compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (82%)
Carpooled (9.04%)
Worked At Home (3.92%)

In 2019, 82% of workers in West Virginia drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.04%) and those who worked at home (3.92%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in West Virginia distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in West Virginia have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

93.3% of the population of West Virginia has health coverage, with 42.3% on employee plans, 22.8% on Medicaid, 15.7% on Medicare, 10.5% on non-group plans, and 2.08% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in West Virginia was $9,462 in 2014. This is a 5.5% increase from the previous year ($8,969).

Primary care physicians in West Virginia see 1278 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.699% decrease from the previous year (1287 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1760 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 726 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Mingo County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (22.1%). Additionally, McDowell County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (44.9%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,278 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in West Virginia

Primary care physicians in West Virginia see an average of 1,278 patients per year. This represents a 0.699% decrease from the previous year (1,287 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in West Virginia in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

$9,462

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in West Virginia

$3,917

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$6,557

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,268

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in West Virginia (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 5.5%, from $8,969 to $9,462.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

6.68%

Uninsured

42.3%

Employer Coverage

22.8%

Medicaid

15.7%

Medicare

10.5%

Non-Group

2.08%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Virginia grew by 3.97% from 6.42% to 6.68%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in West Virginia changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.