Associated Press Published

Charleston Only W.Va. City Above 50,000 People


The U.S. Census Bureau says Charleston is hanging on as the only city in West Virginia with a population over 50,000, while Morgantown is now the state’s third-largest city.

Census estimates released Thursday show Charleston had 50,404 residents in 2014. That’s down about 1,000 from the 2010 Census.

The estimates show Huntington remains the second-largest city at 48,807, losing about 330 residents since the 2010 Census.

Morgantown is the third largest at 31,073 residents. The home of West Virginia University has grown by 4.7 percent in four years.

Parkersburg has seen a population drop of about 500 residents since the 2010 Census and slipped to fourth at 30,981 residents.

Despite a drop of 700, Wheeling remains fifth at 27,790 residents.