Census Report: Most W.Va. Counties Lost Population in 2013

Population declines in southern West Virginia counties have led to an overall drop in the state’s population last year.
 
Estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau showed Monongalia County, home to West Virginia University, had the largest gain of 1,747 people. Most of those gains involved people coming from out of state.

The report found 41 counties lost population and 14 gained last year. Eight of the 10 counties that lost the most population were in southern West Virginia, led by Kanawha and McDowell.
 
The Eastern Panhandle counties of Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan also saw growth. Cabell and Putnam counties were the only two gaining population in southern West Virginia.
 
Overall, West Virginia’s population fell nearly 2,400 last year. The state has 1.85 million residents.