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West Virginia population by year, 1990 to 2025

West Virginia peaked at 1.86 million in 2012 and has lost about 91,000 people since, falling from 34th to 39th among the states.

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What the data shows

  • West Virginia: 1.79M in 1990, 1.77M in 2025. It peaked at 1.86M in 2011.

About this chart

West Virginia is the clearest example of a shrinking state in this series. Its population reached 1,857,446 in 2012 and has fallen in every year since, to 1,766,147 in 2025, a loss of about 91,000 people. It is now smaller than in 1990, when it had 1,792,481 residents, a net decline of 1.5 percent.

The state is down 2.3 percent since 2000 and 4.8 percent since 2010, while most other states grew. West Virginia ranked 34th among the 50 states in 1990, 37th in 2000 and 2010, and 39th in 2025. It also lost people in the late 1990s, falling from about 1.82 million in 1995 to 1.81 million in 2000. Data are Census Bureau July 1 resident estimates.

The data

Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), resident population of West Virginia, millions. Retrieved November 4, 2026.

Population of West Virginia, Residents, 1990 to 2025, 1990–2025
DateWest Virginia
19901.79M
19911.80M
19921.81M
19931.82M
19941.82M
19951.82M
19961.82M
19971.82M
19981.81M
19991.81M
20001.81M
20011.80M
20021.81M
20031.81M
20041.82M
20051.82M
20061.83M
20071.83M
20081.84M
20091.85M
20101.85M
20111.86M
20121.86M
20131.86M
20141.85M
20151.84M
20161.83M
20171.82M
20181.81M
20191.80M
20201.79M
20211.79M
20221.77M
20231.77M
20241.77M
20251.77M

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Frequently asked questions

What is the population of West Virginia?

West Virginia had about 1.77 million residents (1,766,147) in July 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates. That ranks 39th among the 50 states.

Is West Virginia losing population?

Yes. The estimate has fallen every year since its 2012 peak of 1,857,446, and the 2025 figure is below the 1990 level of 1,792,481.

When did West Virginia's population peak?

West Virginia peaked in 2012 at 1,857,446. By 2025 it was 4.8 percent below its 2010 level.

Where does this data come from?

U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), resident population of West Virginia, millions. Retrieved November 4, 2026. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

Can I turn this chart into a video?

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