RANKING · 2020 CENSUS · 31 SHOWN OF 31

Fastest shrinking, West Virginia cities

West Virginia cities with the steepest population decline since the prior decennial census. 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 densely populated Most sparsely populated Best broadband access Worst broadband access

YEAR2000 2010 2020

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION GROWTHVS 2000

01Moundsville, WVWV7,659-13.1%+87%

02Princeton, WVWV5,578-8.7%−12%

03Buckhannon, WVWV5,054-8.0%+158%

04Nitro, WVWV6,270-7.7%+1724%

05Bluefield, WVWV9,158-7.6%−26%

06Parkersburg, WVWV28,593-5.6%+165%

07Dunbar, WVWV7,050-5.4%−14%

08Wheeling, WVWV25,680-5.0%−49%

09Charleston, WVWV46,117-4.9%−27%

10Huntington, WVWV44,815-4.7%−24%

11Clarksburg, WVWV15,562-3.1%−56%

12New Martinsville, WVWV5,039-3.0%−72%

13Weirton, WVWV18,133-3.0%−62%

14Cross Lanes, WVWV9,671-2.7%−44%

15Elkins, WVWV6,622-2.3%−57%

16Beckley, WVWV16,373-1.9%−67%

17St. Albans, WVWV10,210-1.7%−150%

18Fairmont, WVWV18,035-1.5%−72%

19Vienna, WVWV10,321-0.9%+9702%

20Pea Ridge, WVWV6,988-0.7%–

21South Charleston, WVWV13,072+1.5%−178%

22Morgantown, WVWV30,293+2.3%−36%

23Oak Hill, WVWV7,629+5.8%−49%

24Teays Valley, WVWV14,151+8.9%−82%

25Martinsburg, WVWV19,211+9.0%+41%

26Brookhaven, WVWV6,212+10.4%−56%

27Hurricane, WVWV7,367+10.8%−29%

28Bridgeport, WVWV9,427+14.6%+73%

29Ranson corporation, WVWV6,853+22.4%–

30Charles, WVWV9,329+24.2%+4574%

31Cheat Lake, WVWV10,902+24.3%−60%

SHOWING 1–31 OF 31

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UPDATED 2026-06-02 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR ESTIMATES