RANKING · 2024 ACS · 31 SHOWN OF 31

Lowest labor force participation, West Virginia cities

West Virginia cities with the smallest share of adults 16+ in the civilian labor force (2024 ACS). This list covers the 31 cities in West Virginia that qualify, ranked against each other statewide. The median across all 31 is 60.9%. Biggest climber in the top 100 since 2020: Beckley, WV, up 16 places to #3.

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SAME RANKING BYCounties States Metros ZIP codes

YEAR2020 2024

RANKPLACESTATEPOPLABOR FORCE PARTICIPATIONVS 2020

01▲2Buckhannon, WVWV5,05446.2%−3.4 pts

02▼1Moundsville, WVWV7,65949.6%+3.3 pts

03▲16Beckley, WVWV16,37350.4%−7.6 pts

04▲2New Martinsville, WVWV5,03952.3%+1.4 pts

05▲10St. Albans, WVWV10,21052.7%−4.2 pts

06▲7Clarksburg, WVWV15,56253.7%−2.2 pts

07Princeton, WVWV5,57854.2%+2.5 pts

08▼6Bluefield, WVWV9,15854.7%+6.9 pts

09▼4Parkersburg, WVWV28,59355.4%+4.7 pts

10▼1Wheeling, WVWV25,68055.6%+1.2 pts

11▼7Oak Hill, WVWV7,62956.7%+6.3 pts

12▼4Huntington, WVWV44,81557.0%+5.3 pts

13▲5Charleston, WVWV46,11757.8%−0.1 pts

14▲3Morgantown, WVWV30,29358.6%+0.9 pts

15▲6Weirton, WVWV18,13359.5%−1.1 pts

16▲11Bridgeport, WVWV9,42760.9%−4.6 pts

17▲9Teays Valley, WVWV14,15161.4%−3.4 pts

18▼8Dunbar, WVWV7,05061.8%+7.4 pts

19▼3Nitro, WVWV6,27062.1%+4.6 pts

20▼8Elkins, WVWV6,62262.1%+6.7 pts

21▼7Vienna, WVWV10,32162.4%+6.0 pts

22▼11Hurricane, WVWV7,36762.7%+8.1 pts

23▼1South Charleston, WVWV13,07262.9%+1.1 pts

24▲1Cross Lanes, WVWV9,67164.2%−0.4 pts

25▼5Fairmont, WVWV18,03565.3%+5.2 pts

26▼3Pea Ridge, WVWV6,98865.6%+3.2 pts

27▲2Brookhaven, WVWV6,21265.7%−2.8 pts

28▼4Martinsburg, WVWV19,21166.2%+2.0 pts

29▲2Charles, WVWV9,32970.2%−2.4 pts

30▼2Cheat Lake, WVWV10,90271.1%+3.4 pts

31▼1Ranson corporation, WVWV6,85375.0%+4.1 pts

SHOWING 1–31 OF 31

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UPDATED 2026-09-11 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR ESTIMATES