West Virginia at a glance
West Virginia had an estimated 1,766,147 residents on July 1, 2025, the 39th largest population among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
That is down 1.5% from 1,793,759 in April 2020.
In the year to July 1, 2025, West Virginia gained 6,408 residents from other states through migration and gained 244 through international migration.
The same year saw 16,954 births and 24,841 deaths, a natural decrease of 7,887.
The capital of West Virginia is Charleston.
West Virginia covers 24,041 square miles of land in 55 counties, about 73 people per square mile.
| Capital | Charleston |
|---|---|
| Population (2025) | 1,766,147 |
| Change since April 2020 | -27,612 |
| Land area | 24,041 sq mi |
| Counties | 55 |
The July 1 estimate fell from 1,791,670 in 2020 to 1,766,147 in 2025. It did not grow in any single year. On average it changed by -5,105 people a year.
Show the numbers
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,766,147 | -1,255 |
| 2024 | 1,767,402 | -2,634 |
| 2023 | 1,770,036 | -3,967 |
| 2022 | 1,774,003 | -11,918 |
| 2021 | 1,785,921 | -5,749 |
| 2020 | 1,791,670 | n/a |