Born of the Civil War
West Virginia split from Virginia and was admitted on June 20, 1863, the only state formed by seceding from a Confederate state.
Capital: CharlestonLargest city: CharlestonNickname: The Mountain StateStatehood: 1863
West Virginia at a glance
The state’s essential figures from the latest official data
Area
62,756 km²
41st largest state
Population
1,769,979
28.4 people/km² of land
July 1, 2024 · 39th in the U.S.
Foreign-born population
1.7%
Share of all residents
ACS 2019–2023
GDP
$99 billion
$55,138 personal income per capita
2024 · BEA
Births
16,680
July 2023–June 2024
Deaths
24,524
July 2023–June 2024
Natural increase
−7,844
Births minus deaths
Population change
−516
July 2023–June 2024
West Virginia data modules
Official information organized by subject
Population
How many people live here, how it's changing and who they are.
Housing
Home prices, rents, supply and how affordable it is to live here.
Economy
GDP, income, output and the industries that drive the economy.
Cost of Living
What it really costs to live here: housing, food, utilities and more.
Jobs & Employment
Employment, unemployment, salaries and the labor force.
Crime & Safety
Crime rates, violent and property crime, and public safety.
Education
Schools, universities, attainment and graduation rates.
Health
Life expectancy, healthcare access, hospitals and insurance.
Taxes
Income, property and sales taxes, plus overall tax burden.
Immigration
Foreign-born population, origins and migration flows.
Energy
Electricity prices, production, renewables and consumption.
Environment
Air quality, wildfires, drought, water and emissions.
Transportation
Vehicles, public transit, airports, traffic and commuting.
Politics & Elections
Election results, representatives and voting trends.
Poverty & Welfare
Poverty, food assistance, Medicaid and social safety net programs.
Retirement & Seniors
Older population, Social Security, retirees and senior living.
Agriculture & Farming
Farms, farmland, crop and livestock output and agricultural exports.
Tourism & Parks
Visitors, tourism spending, national and state parks.
Innovation & Patents
Patents, R&D spending, venture capital and tech employment.
Culture, Media & Gaming
Film, TV, music, theaters, museums and the video game industry.
Pets & Animal Welfare
Pet ownership, shelters, adoptions and veterinary services.
Explore West Virginia
55 counties, one interactive atlas
Select a county to compare population, income, housing and territory using official U.S. Census Bureau data.
Population (residents)
< 50,000> 3,000,000
West Virginia, United States
Kanawha County
County seat: Charleston
178,198
Population
$36,168
Income per capita
$135,000
Median home value
5.5%
Unemployment
- Land area
- 902 mi²
- Population density
- 198 /mi²
ACS 2023 5-year estimates · Census Gazetteer 2023. Unemployment is calculated from the ACS civilian labor force.
Counties
55 counties · choose how to order them
Did you know?
Curious facts about West Virginia
New River Gorge
New River Gorge became the 63rd U.S. national park in 2020; its bridge is among the longest single-span arch bridges in the world.
Mountain State
West Virginia lies entirely within the Appalachian region and has the highest average elevation east of the Mississippi.
Quiet Zone
The National Radio Quiet Zone restricts radio transmissions around the Green Bank Telescope, the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope.