GDP
West Virginia’s economy produced about $101 billion in 2023, driven by energy, chemicals and health care.
Real GDP (chained 2017 dollars)
1997–2025BEA, chained 2017 dollars (FRED WVRGSP).
| Indicator | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| GDP (USD B) | 101 | 29200 |
- •West Virginia is the second-largest coal producer in the U.S. after Wyoming.
GDP Growth
West Virginia's real GDP grew about 1.6% in 2023, trailing the 2.5% national growth rate.
Real GDP growth
1998–2025Annual % change in BEA real GDP (WVRGSP).
| Indicator | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Real GDP Growth | 1.6 | 2.5 |
- •West Virginia's economy remains more sensitive to energy-price swings than most other states.
Personal Income
Per capita personal income in West Virginia was about $52,238 in 2023, well below the national figure of $65,470.
Per capita personal income
1970–2025BEA, current dollars (FRED WVPCPI).
| Indicator | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Per Capita Personal Income ($) | 52238 | 65470 |
- •West Virginia's lower cost of living offsets a meaningful share of its personal income gap with the rest of the country.
Median Household Income
Median household income in West Virginia is roughly $55,948, the lowest in the nation, though living costs are also among the lowest.
Median household income (CPS)
1984–2025Census CPS ASEC, current dollars (FRED MEHOINUSWVA646N).
| Indicator | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income (USD) | 55948 | 78538 |
Poverty Rate
West Virginia's poverty rate stood at about 17.9% in 2023, among the highest in the nation.
Poverty rate, all ages (SAIPE)
1989–2024Census Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (FRED PPAAWV54000A156NCEN).
| Indicator | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Poverty Rate (%) | 17.9 | 12.5 |
- •Southern West Virginia's former coal counties report some of the highest poverty rates in the eastern U.S.
Inflation
South Atlantic consumer prices, including West Virginia, rose about 2.7% over the year.
CPI inflation, U.S.
2007–2024BLS CPI-U U.S. city average, annual average change (CPIAUCNS).
| Indicator | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Inflation (%) | 2.7 | 2.9 |
Economic Output
West Virginia's economy generated about $101.4 billion in output in 2023, led by energy, chemicals, and health care.
Nominal GDP (current dollars)
1997–2025BEA, current dollars (FRED WVNGSP).
- •Natural resources and mining still account for a larger share of West Virginia's GDP than in almost any other state.
Industry Breakdown
Government, health care, and energy extraction form the three largest components of West Virginia's economy.
Government jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED WVGOVT).
Manufacturing jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED WVMFG).
Construction jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED WVCONS).
- •West Virginia is the only state where coal mining still directly employs a significant share of the private workforce.