West Virginia Population Pyramid (2025)
West Virginia had 1,766,147 residents on July 1, 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (the 12th least populous of the 50 states), and has shrunk 1.5% since April 2020. The median age is 43.2, and 22.5% of residents are 65 or older.
Key figures, July 1, 2025
- Population
- 1,766,147
- Change since April 2020
- −27,612 (−1.5%)
- Change, July 2024 to July 2025
- −1,255 (−0.07%)
- Median age
- 43.2 (US 39.4)
- Under 18
- 19.5%
- 65 and older
- 22.5%
- 85 and older
- 2.2%
- Sex ratio (males per 100 females)
- 98.2
- Land area
- 24,041 sq mi
- Density (per sq mi of land)
- 73.5 (#29 of 50)
Population pyramid, 2000 to 2025
Watch how West Virginia's population structure evolved from 2000 to 2025
Census counts, 1910 to 2020
| Census | Resident population | Change from prior |
|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 1,221,119 | — |
| 1920 | 1,463,701 | +242,582 (+19.9%) |
| 1930 | 1,729,205 | +265,504 (+18.1%) |
| 1940 | 1,901,974 | +172,769 (+10.0%) |
| 1950 | 2,005,552 | +103,578 (+5.4%) |
| 1960 | 1,860,421 | −145,131 (−7.2%) |
| 1970 | 1,744,237 | −116,184 (−6.2%) |
| 1980 | 1,949,644 | +205,407 (+11.8%) |
| 1990 | 1,793,477 | −156,167 (−8.0%) |
| 2000 | 1,808,344 | +14,867 (+0.8%) |
| 2010 | 1,852,994 | +44,650 (+2.5%) |
| 2020 | 1,793,716 | −59,278 (−3.2%) |
| 2025 estimate | 1,766,147 | — |
Decennial April 1 counts (resident population); the 2025 figure is the July 1 Census estimate (its change is measured from the April 1, 2020 estimates base, shown in Key figures, not from the 2020 census count). Decade changes are computed from the counts shown.
Components of change
| Component | Cumulative, April 2020 to July 2025 | July 2024 to June 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Births | 89,321 | 16,954 |
| Deaths | 138,783 | 24,841 |
| Natural change | −49,462 | −7,887 |
| International migration | +5,138 | +244 |
| Domestic migration | +16,553 | +6,408 |
| Residual | +159 | −20 |
| Total population change | −27,612 | −1,255 |
Census components of change. The April 2020 to July 2025 column sums the period from the April 1, 2020 base; the right column covers July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
How West Virginia ranks
- Population
- #39 of 50 (the 12th least populous)
- Growth since April 2020
- #49 of 50 (1 = fastest-growing)
- Population density
- #29 of 50 (1 = densest)
- Median age
- #4 of 50 (1 = oldest)
- 65-and-older share
- #7 of 50 (1 = highest)
- Under-18 share
- #43 of 50 (1 = highest)
See all states on the US states by population hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of West Virginia in 2025?
West Virginia had 1,766,147 residents on July 1, 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How has West Virginia's population changed since 2020?
West Virginia shrank 1.5% (−27,612 people) between April 2020 and July 2025.
What is the median age in West Virginia?
The median age in West Virginia is 43.2 in 2025, compared with 39.4 for the United States.
What share of West Virginia's residents are 65 or older?
22.5% of West Virginia's residents are 65 or older on July 1, 2025; 2.2% are 85 or older.
How densely populated is West Virginia?
West Virginia has 73.5 people per square mile of land, the 29th densest of the 50 states.
Sources and method
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 population estimates (July 1, 2025), 2000 to 2020 intercensal estimates, decennial censuses 1910 to 2020 and the 2026 Gazetteer land area.
- Totals and components of change: NST-EST2025-ALLDATA, Vintage 2025 (released January 2026).
- Age by sex, July 2020 to July 2025: SC-EST2025-ALLDATA6, Vintage 2025 (released June 2026).
- Age by sex, July 2010 to July 2019: 2010 to 2020 intercensal estimates (SC-EST2020INT-ALLDATA6).
- Age by sex, July 2000 to July 2009: 2000 to 2010 intercensal estimates (ST-EST00INT-AGESEX).
- Decennial counts 1910 to 2020: Historical Apportionment Data (2021).
- Land area: 2026 Gazetteer Files, states.
Median age is interpolated within single years of age (the Census method). Density is the July 1, 2025 population divided by land area. Change since April 2020 is measured from the April 1, 2020 estimates base to July 1, 2025; the last-year change is July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025. Shares, medians and density are shown to one decimal. Ranks are among the 50 states; the District of Columbia is not ranked.