CensusEasy
STATE · ADMITTED 1863 · 2000 CENSUS

West Virginia

1,808,344 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 $29,696. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $66,000.

WV
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,808,344
+1%since 1990
from 1,793,477 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Population density
75 / sq mi
+1%since 1990
from 75 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
38.9
+10%since 1990
from 35.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
1.8M1.8M1.8M1.8M1.9M1990201020202024West Virginia
20241.8M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$29,696
+8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $20,795 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,477
+57%since 1990
from $10,520 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
17.9%
−1.8 ptssince 1990
from 19.7% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$66,000
+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $47,600 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$401
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 1990
from $303 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
75.2%
+1.1 ptssince 1990
from 74.1% in 1990
24.8% rent
Afford Score
2.2
−3%since 1990
from 2.3 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Virginia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

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

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.8%
+2.5 ptssince 1990
from 12.3% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
75.2%
+9.2 ptssince 1990
from 66.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
5.9%
+1.1 ptssince 1990
from 4.8% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.2 min
−11%since 1990
from 20.5 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
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 1,808,344 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in West Virginia?

The typical household in West Virginia earns about $29,696 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 $66,000, and the typical rent is about $401 a month.

How educated are people in West Virginia?

About 14.8% 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 17.9% of people in West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, West Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 14,867 residents, a change of about 1 percent over that period.

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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 →