West Virginia Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze population trends, housing costs, and the local economy by exploring Map AI.
State Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population
| Metric | West Virginia | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,774,419 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 73.3 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | -0.50% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 40.4 | 37.1 |
| Households | 721,348 | 128,459,983 |
Population in West Virginia declined by 1.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 1,784,240 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
West Virginia has a the economy index of D, which means it is barely prosperous.
| Metric | West Virginia | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,886 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 4.44% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7% | 5.2% |
The median household income in West Virginia is about 26% lower than in US.
Housing
| Metric | West Virginia | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $94,066 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $849 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 74.3% | 65.1% |
The median home price in West Virginia is about 9.2 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $849 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in West Virginia spend about 43 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 180 hours, about 7.5 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | West Virginia | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 21.6 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 43.2 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 180 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $5,581 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 8.0% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 7,243 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 1,052 | 1,355 |
Fastest commutes among counties in
West Virginia:
Randolph County (16.0 min), Pocahontas County (17.3 min), Ohio County (17.3 min).
Slowest:
Morgan County (38.7 min), Hampshire County (36.8 min), Monroe County (33.2 min).
The average commute time in West Virginia is about the same as in US.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
West Virginia has a education index of D, which means it is barely educated.
| Metric | West Virginia | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.40 | 2.54 |
Highest education index among counties in
West Virginia:
Monongalia County (0.4), Ohio County (0.3), Jefferson County (0.3).
Lowest:
McDowell County (0.1), Lincoln County (0.2), Clay County (0.2).
Health
West Virginia has a health index of C, which means it is somewhat healthy.
| Metric | West Virginia | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 76.1 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 23.2% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 25.3% | 19.0% |
Highest health index among counties in
West Virginia:
Monongalia County (0.8), Jefferson County (0.8), Putnam County (0.8).
Lowest:
McDowell County (0.7), Lincoln County (0.8), Mingo County (0.8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Virginia.
What is the population of West Virginia?
The population of West Virginia is 1,774,419, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of West Virginia?
The population density of West Virginia is 73.3 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in West Virginia?
The median household income in West Virginia is $57,886, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in West Virginia?
The median home price in West Virginia is $94,066, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in West Virginia?
The unemployment rate in West Virginia is 5.7%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.