West Virginia Income Statistics
West Virginia Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a state's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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D
West Virginia Well below averageAmong the 3 least wealthy states in US
Source: Map AI Methodology
Wealthiest and Least Wealthy Counties in West Virginia
- Jefferson County (112% of U.S. avg)
- Berkeley County (103% of U.S. avg)
- Putnam County (102% of U.S. avg)
- McDowell County (62% of U.S. avg)
- Gilmer County (67% of U.S. avg)
- Clay County (71% of U.S. avg)
Ranked by the Map AI Wealth Index, which combines income, employment, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | West Virginia | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $59,640 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $52,420 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.3% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.0% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 5.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in West Virginia is about 26% lower than in US. Income has been growing slower in West Virginia (4.3%/yr) than in US (4.8%/yr).
About 8% of adults in West Virginia earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the US average of 14%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in West Virginia grew by 59.5% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $59,640 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.3% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in West Virginia
| Metric | West Virginia | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.554 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $61,809 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $47,573 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.0% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In West Virginia, it is 0.554, about the same as US's 0.552, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 30% more than women's income in West Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 30% wage gap accumulates to roughly $498,260 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in West Virginia has narrowed from about 31% to 23% in 2024. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,242 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | West Virginia | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.1% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 42,641 people are unemployed in West Virginia.
The average commute time in West Virginia is 21 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in US.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in West Virginia has fallen from 7.5% to 5.4% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 8.4% in 2013.
West Virginia Wealth Compared With Nearby States
West Virginia is the 5th largest of the 6 states compared here, 1,778,099 residents against a local median of 10,724,323. The measure that sets West Virginia apart most is median household income: $59,640, 24% below the local median of $78,249. That is the weaker end of the local range on this measure.
The states themselves spread $39,062 on median household income, so West Virginia sits at one end of an already wide local range rather than apart from it. West Virginia has the 6th highest median household income of the 6 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 1,778,099 | $59,640 #6/6 | 4.3%/yr #6/6 | 5.4% #5/6 | 0.554 #6/6 |
| Virginia | 8,702,460 | $93,527 | 4.3%/yr | 4.1% | 0.544 |
| Ohio | 11,799,428 | $71,509 | 4.4%/yr | 4.8% | 0.532 |
| North Carolina | 10,724,323 | $72,438 | 5.2%/yr | 4.6% | 0.547 |
| Pennsylvania | 13,004,688 | $78,249 | 4.4%/yr | 5.2% | 0.537 |
| District of Columbia | 678,314 | $110,571 | 5.3%/yr | 6.3% | 0.501 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, West Virginia has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in West Virginia.
How Rich Is West Virginia?
West Virginia has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $59,640, about 26% lower than the US average of $80,455.
How fast is household income rising in West Virginia?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in West Virginia rose 60%, from $37,383 to $59,640. Over the same years, income here outpaced the U.S. as a whole: +60% against +57%.
What was the median household income in West Virginia in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in West Virginia was $57,884, up 5% from $55,187 in 2022. The US median that year was $78,147.
What was the median household income in West Virginia in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in West Virginia was $48,096. By 2024 it had risen 24% to $59,640.
What is the Gini coefficient in West Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in West Virginia is 0.554. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in West Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in West Virginia has narrowed from about 31% to 23% in 2024. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,242 since 2009.
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