2020 Census Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Study: More People Moving Into W.Va. Than Leaving

Despite the population loss recorded in the most recent census, more people appear to be moving into West Virginia, according to the United Van Lines 45th Annual National Movers Study.

Overall, people are moving from cities and states that are crowded to more rural areas, the research found.

Based on the company’s data for customers’ state-to-state migration patterns, Vermont had the highest percentage of inbound migration (74 percent). South Dakota (69 percent), South Carolina (63 percent) West Virginia (63 percent) and Florida (62 percent) also topped the list of the states with the most inbound population for 2021.

The state with the greatest outbound migration was New Jersey (71 percent), which has held the spot for the past four years. Other states on that list include Illinois (67 percent) New York (63 percent), Connecticut (60 percent) and California (59 percent).

The survey also revealed that 31.8 percent of Americans moved to be closer to family – a new trend coming out of the pandemic as priorities and lifestyle choices shift.

Additionally, 32.5 percent of Americans moved for a new job or job transfer, a significant decrease from 2015, when more than 60 percent of Americans cited a job or transfer.

“This new data from United Van Lines is indicative of COVID-19’s impact on domestic migration patterns, with 2021 bringing an acceleration of moves to smaller, midsized towns and cities,” said Michael A. Stoll, an economist and professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles. “We’re seeing this not only occur because of Americans’ desire to leave high-density areas due to risk of infection, but also due to the transformation of how we’re able to work, with more flexibility to work remote.”

Moving In

The top inbound states of 2021 were:

Vermont
South Dakota
South Carolina
West Virginia
Florida
Alabama
Tennessee
Oregon
Idaho
Rhode Island

Of the top 10 inbound states, six — Vermont, South Dakota, West Virginia, Alabama, Oregon and Idaho — are among the 20 least densely populated states in America, with less than 100 people per square mile. Tennessee and South Carolina are also among the top 25.

Moving Out

The top outbound states for 2021 were:

New Jersey
Illinois
New York
Connecticut
California
Michigan
Massachusetts
Louisiana
Ohio
Nebraska

Nine of the top 10 outbound states are considered densely populated, further illustrating America’s shift to less-crowded states.

Since 1977, United Van Lines has tracked state-by-state migration patterns. The 2021 study is based on household moves handled by United within the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. It ranks states based on the inbound and outbound percentages of total moves in each state.

United classifies states as “high inbound” if 55 percent or more of the moves are going into a state, and “high outbound” if 55 percent or more moves are coming out of a state. It dubs states “balanced” if the difference between inbound and outbound is negligible.

Public Hearings On Congressional Redistricting Begin This Week

The West Virginia Legislature’s Joint Committee on Redistricting has announced the format for public hearings on redistricting, which are set to begin July 27.

These are listening events for the public to share their thoughts about Congressional and legislative boundary lines. The West Virginia Constitution requires the Legislature to redraw these lines every 10 years using U.S. Census data to reflect any population changes.

Due to the delay in the federal government releasing Census data, specific population numbers will not be available at these events, and the committee will not be presenting any proposed maps. Legislators will not respond to questions during the public hearing.

All 12 in-person public hearings will take place from 6-8 p.m. The sign-in process will begin at 5:30 p.m. Anyone who would like to be guaranteed an opportunity to speak during the hearings will need to be present to sign in by 6 p.m. The events will begin shortly after 6 p.m. with welcome remarks and a reminder of these procedures.

The number of people who sign in to speak at each hearing will be divided by the amount of time available for the event to determine the amount of time each person will have to speak. A red light will indicate when each speaker has reached that time limit.

You can find more information on the process online.

Hearings are scheduled for the following dates and locations, and are subject to change:

July 27: Putnam County Judicial Building, The Courtroom, Room 202, 12093 Winfield Road Winfield, WV 25213

July 29: Chief Logan Lodge Hotel Conference Center, 1000 Conference Center Drive, Logan, WV 25601

Aug. 3: Tamarack, Gov. Hulett C. Smith Theater 1 Tamarack Park, Beckley, WV 25801

Aug. 4: Summersville Arena & Conference Center 3 Armory Way, Summersville, WV 26651

Aug. 10: Stonewall Resort State Park, Birch Room, 149 State Park Trail, Roanoke, WV 26447

Aug. 12: Monongalia County Extension Services & 4H Center at Mylan Park, 270 Mylan Park Lane, Morgantown, WV 26501

Aug. 17: Martinsburg Sheriff’s Office Meeting Room 510 S Raleigh St, Martinsburg, WV 25401

Aug. 18: Keyser VFD Station 2, 1550 Cornell St Keyser WV 26726

Aug. 24: Wheeling Independence Hall, 1528 Market St, Wheeling, WV 26003

Aug. 26: Cabell County Courthouse, Courtroom #1 Judge Paul Farrell’s courtroom 750 5th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701

Sept. 9: The Culture Center, Building 9, Capitol Complex, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25305

Sept. 16: Judge Donald F. Black, Courthouse Annex,317 Market St, Parkersburg, WV 26101

West Virginia Has Sharpest Population Decline In U.S., Will Lose A Seat In Congress

Updated Monday, April 26, 2021 at 5:45 p.m.

West Virginia’s population has declined at the highest rate in the nation over the last 10 years, which translates to the state losing a seat in congress following the 2022 midterm elections.

According to preliminary data released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau, West Virginia lost 3.2 percent of its population since 2010 — the highest rate of population loss in the nation. West Virginia now has just under 1.795 million people, according to the 2020 Census.

The national count dictates apportionment in the U.S. House of Representatives and each state’s impact on the electoral college.

While six states are picking up one or more seats in congress, West Virginia is one of seven to lose a seat — bringing the state down from three seats to two.

In a joint statement last week, the current House members — Rep. David McKinley, Rep. Alex Mooney and Rep. Carol Miller — said they all planned to run for reelection, but might reconsider after the new lines are drawn.

The state’s representation in congress has trended downward since the 1960 Census, when it lost its sixth seat in the U.S. House.

Results from the 2020 Census have been held up for months due to the delays caused by the coronavirus and interference by the Trump administration.

Once final data is delivered, the West Virginia Legislature will hold a special session in the fall to redraw the state’s congressional districts and divide up representation at the statehouse.

The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story.

Nearly All West Virginians Accounted For In 2020 Census

With the 2020 census count concluding at the end of this month, West Virginia is the second most accounted for state.

Newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that all but 4.6 percent of West Virginians have filled out the once-in-a-decade population count, putting the state behind only Idaho for most people counted in the 2020 census.

Last week census workers hit the ground in West Virginia, going door-to-door to find people who have yet to self-report; however, over half of total respondents in the state have self-reported either through the mail or online.

The census count happens every 10 years, and it determines how much of the $75 billion federal budget will be given to the Mountain State.

Recently, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin and West Virginia native and actress Jennifer Garner released a video — urging West Virginians to submit a census form.

“By participating in this census, you help ensure your tax dollars stay right here in the Mountain State to benefit our schools, seniors, veterans, hospitals and more,” a masked Garner said.

The number also determines how many congressional seats and therefore how much influence the state has in the nation’s capital. After the 1990 census, West Virginia’s population dropped and the state lost a representative.

Jefferson County has the largest amount of people self-responding, and McDowell County has the least.

“Your response matters. So make it count West Virginia,” Manchin said.
The deadline to submit responses is September 30.

Census Field Workers To Canvas Uncounted In W.Va.

West Virginians who have not responded to the U.S. Census might have a field worker showing up on their doorstep within the next five weeks.

Census workers are following up with households across the country, including in West Virginia, that have not self-reported through the mail, online or by phone.

With about a month left to report, the response rate so far is 55.5 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2010, the final response rate in West Virginia was about 59 percent, making it 6 percent below the national average.

“It’s not dire straits by any means,” said Stephen Shope, U.S. Census Bureau supervisory partnership specialist. “They’re [West Virginia] getting ready to surpass their 2010 rate. But we still got to keep pushing on to get that complete.”

Census numbers, which are collected every 10 years, directly impact federal funding for the state. The count for 2020 will determine how much of the $675 billion federal funds will be given to the Mountain State.

“This data we live with for 10 years, so taking 10 minutes to respond, it’ll benefit your family or community or state for the next 10 years,” Shope said.

The money helps fund housing, transportation, health care, education and emergency response — programs that often lack finances in economically distressed areas, such as West Virginia.

An undercount of the population could also lead to losing a Representative in Congress. Currently West Virginia has three – David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Carol Miller.

The census count will end Sept. 30, a month sooner than previously planned. The Bureau cited the last-minute change as part of efforts to meet the statutory deadline of Dec. 31, 2020.

West Virginia Near Last In 2020 Census Responses

West Virginia has one of the country’s lowest participation rates in the 2020 census.

Data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau shows only about a third of West Virginia households have responded to the head count as of Thursday, putting the state as third worst behind only Alaska and Puerto Rico.

About a month into the census effort, the national response rate is about half of all households with Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan leading the pack with over 50% return rates.

Republican Gov. Jim Justice and other state officials have repeatedly urged residents to fill out the once-in-a-decade census forms.

“Federal funding to state and local communities, congressional representation, economic development grants, business recruitment, rural broadband investment, health centers, fire departments, Medicaid, highways, and a number of other programs depend on accurate counting of people within our state,” Secretary of State Mac Warner said.

The state will also use census data to redraw congressional and state legislative districts in 2021.

The Census Bureau’s suspension of field operations between mid-March and mid-April due to the spread of the new coronavirus may be affecting response rates. And besides causing the delay in field operations, the outbreak is keeping advocacy and civic groups from conducting face-to-face outreach, which is considered the most effective way of encouraging participation.

People can respond to the census online, by phone or by mail.