RANKING · 2024 ACS · 31 SHOWN OF 31

Fastest shrinking, West Virginia cities

West Virginia cities with the steepest population decline from the 2020 census to 2024. This list covers the 31 cities in West Virginia that qualify, ranked against each other statewide.

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SAME RANKING BYCounties States Metros

RELATEDLargest by population Fastest growing Most population gained Most population lost Most densely populated Most sparsely populated

YEAR2000 2010 2020 2024

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION GROWTHVS 2000

01Clarksburg, WVWV15,562-3.2%−56%

02St. Albans, WVWV10,210-3.1%−194%

03Dunbar, WVWV7,050-3.0%−52%

04Oak Hill, WVWV7,629-3.0%−126%

05Charleston, WVWV46,117-3.0%−56%

06Bluefield, WVWV9,158-2.8%−73%

07Moundsville, WVWV7,659-2.8%−61%

08Beckley, WVWV16,373-2.7%−52%

09Weirton, WVWV18,133-2.7%−65%

10Wheeling, WVWV25,680-2.6%−74%

11Princeton, WVWV5,578-2.3%−77%

12Huntington, WVWV44,815-2.3%−63%

13Elkins, WVWV6,622-1.8%−66%

14Parkersburg, WVWV28,593-1.7%−20%

15Hurricane, WVWV7,367-1.5%−110%

16South Charleston, WVWV13,072-1.4%−26%

17Teays Valley, WVWV14,151-1.4%−103%

18New Martinsville, WVWV5,039-1.4%−87%

19Buckhannon, WVWV5,054-1.3%−57%

20Vienna, WVWV10,321-1.3%+13564%

21Fairmont, WVWV18,035-1.1%−81%

22Bridgeport, WVWV9,427-0.9%−111%

23Cross Lanes, WVWV9,671-0.6%−88%

24Morgantown, WVWV30,293-0.4%−110%

25Martinsburg, WVWV19,211+0.7%−89%

26Nitro, WVWV6,270+3.5%−917%

27Ranson corporation, WVWV6,853+5.4%–

28Pea Ridge, WVWV6,988+5.8%–

29Brookhaven, WVWV6,212+8.8%−62%

30Cheat Lake, WVWV10,902+9.8%−84%

31Charles, WVWV9,329+12.3%+2269%

SHOWING 1–31 OF 31

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UPDATED 2026-07-15 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR ESTIMATES