Tag: Population Decline

Only 8 Counties See Growth In State, Most In Eastern Panhandle

Only eight of West Virginia’s 55 counties grew in population from 2022 to 2023. Most of these were clustered in the Eastern Panhandle and Potomac Highlands regions.

From July 2022 to July 2023, the vast majority of West Virginia counties experienced population decline.

Forty-seven of the state’s 55 counties decreased in population in the one-year span, according to data released by the United States Census Bureau last week.

But among the eight counties that saw growth, five are located in the Eastern Panhandle and Potomac Highlands region.

Berkeley County grew at a rate of 2.37 percent. Jefferson, Morgan, Hampshire, and Hardy counties also saw growth, clustering the greatest population increase in the easternmost region of the state.

In north central West Virginia, Monongalia and Marion counties also saw slight growth, with rates of 0.69 percent and 0.04 percent respectively.

The sole representative of southern West Virginia, Monroe County, grew its population by 0.5 percent in the one-year span.

Despite some regional growth, population decline across most counties echoes a years-long trend of population loss in West Virginia.

To view the full list of county-level population trends in West Virginia from 2022 to 2023, visit the Census Bureau website.

State Loses Nearly 10,000 Residents Over Past Year

Census estimates show that West Virginia lost population over the past year.

The estimates released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau put the state’s population at 1,831,102 on July 1. That’s down nearly 10,000 from the July 2015 estimate and down about 23,000 from 2010. Between 2000 and 2010, the state’s population grew by nearly 45,000 residents.

In all, eight states lost population. Illinois was the only state to lose more residents over the one-year period than West Virginia, which has been hit hard by the downturn in the coal industry.

The estimates show the nation’s population grew less than 1 percent.

Census: W.Va. 1 of 6 States to Lose Population

The latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show West Virginia was one of six states to lose population.

According to the numbers released this week, West Virginia lost nearly 3,279 residents between July 2013 and July 2014. The drop of .18 percent is the highest percentage drop across the country.

The Charleston Gazette reports that only Illinois lost more total residents than the Mountain State. Connecticut, New Mexico, Alaska and Vermont also lost population.

North Dakota was the fastest-growing state with a 2.2 percent increase. The state remains one of the least-populated but has seen a boom in the oil and gas industry.

California remained the nation’s most populous state in 2014 with 38.8 million residents. The U.S. population increased by 2.4 million to 318.9 million.

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