RANKING · 2020 CENSUS · 31 SHOWN OF 31

Fastest shrinking, West Virginia cities · 2020

West Virginia cities with the steepest population decline from the 2010 census to 2020. 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

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 2026-07-15 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU DECENNIAL CENSUS