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STATE · ADMITTED 1863 · 1990 CENSUS

West Virginia

1,793,477 residents · 55 counties · 439 cities · 546 census tracts
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The short version

West Virginia has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $20,795. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $47,600.

WV
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,793,477
−1%vs 2000
vs 1,808,344 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
75 / sq mi
−1%vs 2000
vs 75 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
35.4
−9%vs 2000
vs 38.9 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
1.8M1.8M1.8M1.8M1.9M1990201020202024West Virginia
20241.8M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$20,795
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $29,696 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$10,520
−36%vs 2000
vs $16,477 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
19.7%
+1.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 17.9% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$47,600
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $66,000 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$303
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $401 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
74.1%
−1.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 75.2% in 2000
25.9% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+3%vs 2000
vs 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Virginia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.6%(1,709,966)
Black3.1%(56,825)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(12,279)
Asian0.5%(9,356)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.6%(191,534)
1990
White, non-Hispanic96.2%(1,726,023)
Black3.1%(55,398)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(7,892)
Asian0.4%(7,505)
Other0.3%(4,551)
Diversity Score10.1%(181,401)
Diversity Score
10
−5%vs 2000
vs 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.3%
−2.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 14.8% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
66.0%
−9.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 75.2% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
4.8%
−1.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 5.9% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.5 min
+13%vs 2000
vs 18.2 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Section 02

Largest cities

1.Charleston46,117
2.Huntington44,815
3.Morgantown30,293
4.Parkersburg28,593
5.Wheeling25,680
6.Martinsburg19,211
7.Weirton18,133
8.Fairmont18,035
9.Beckley16,373
10.Clarksburg15,562
11.Teays Valley14,151
12.South Charleston13,072
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Virginia?

West Virginia has about 1,793,477 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in West Virginia?

The typical household in West Virginia earns about $20,795 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Virginia expensive?

In West Virginia, the median home is worth about $47,600, and the typical rent is about $303 a month.

How educated are people in West Virginia?

About 12.3% of adults age 25 and over in West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Virginia?

About 19.7% of people in West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

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Explore from here

Largest cities
CharlestonHuntingtonMorgantownParkersburgWheelingMartinsburgWeirtonFairmont
All 55 counties
Kanawha CountyBerkeley CountyMonongalia CountyCabell CountyWood CountyRaleigh CountyHarrison CountyJefferson CountyMercer CountyPutnam CountyMarion CountyOhio CountyFayette CountyWayne CountyPreston CountyGreenbrier CountyLogan CountyMarshall CountyHancock CountyJackson CountyRandolph CountyMineral CountyMason CountyHampshire CountyNicholas CountyUpshur CountyMingo CountyBrooke CountyBoone CountyWyoming CountyLincoln CountyMorgan CountyMcDowell CountyLewis CountyTaylor CountyBarbour CountyHardy CountyWetzel CountyRoane CountyMonroe CountyBraxton CountySummers CountyGrant CountyRitchie CountyTyler CountyWebster CountyDoddridge CountyPocahontas CountyClay CountyPleasants CountyGilmer CountyTucker CountyCalhoun CountyPendleton CountyWirt County
Metro areas
HuntingtonCharlestonMorgantownWheelingWeirtonBeckleyBluefieldClarksburgParkersburgFairmontElkins
Rankings
Highest income cities in West VirginiaFastest growing citiesAll US state rankings

DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

West Virginia (1990): demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy