West Virginia Population: 1,768,563 (July 2021 Census Estimate)

Per the US Census Bureau, West Virginia's population as of July 1, 2021 was 1,768,563.

Trend

• 2010 Census: 1,852,994
• 2020 Census: 1,793,716
• 2021 Estimate: 1,768,563
• 2022 Estimate: 1,775,156 (slight uptick)
• 2023 Estimate: 1,770,071

Long-term decline since 1950 peak (2.0M). Only state to lose population 2010–2020.

Drivers

• Outmigration (young adults, coal job losses)
• Aging (median age 42.7, 3rd highest)
• Low birth rate, high death rate (opioids, COVID)
• Limited immigration

Source

census.gov/quickfacts/WV — updated annually in December/January.