West Virginia: government, population and official figures

West Virginia is a state of the United States, number 39 of 51 by population. West Virginia had an estimated 1,766,147 residents on 1 July 2025, 0.5% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 13th smallest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population fell by 0.07%, 3rd slowest-growing of 51.

Population (1 July)

1,766,147

2025

GDP (current dollars)

$111.3 billion

2025

GDP per resident

$63,020

2025

Personal income per person

$58,217

2025

Median household income

$60,798

2024

Unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted)

4.0%

September 2026

Average annual pay (QCEW)

$60,359

2025

State government revenue

$18.6 billion

2024

Who runs West Virginia?

The governor is Patrick Morrisey. Governor's office. Phone: 1-304-558-2000. Address: 1900 Kanawha Blvd., E Charleston , WV 25305.

In depth

Economy, jobs and prices in West Virginia: The economy of West Virginia (gross domestic product) was worth $111.3 billion in 2025 at current prices, 0.4% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 9th smallest of 51. In current dollars it was up 5.2% on 2024.
Health in West Virginia: Life expectancy at birth in West Virginia was 72.2 years in 2022, the shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
Education in West Virginia: 91.2% of public high school students in West Virginia graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); the highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
Poverty and living standards in West Virginia: The Census Bureau estimates that 16.2% of people in West Virginia lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 277,324 people; 4th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
Government budget and revenue in West Virginia: West Virginia's state government took in $18.6 billion in fiscal year 2024, $10,535 per resident, 17th highest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Is the population of West Virginia growing?

That is 27,612 fewer people than at the April 2020 census base (1,793,759), a change of -1.5%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How much does migration add to the population of West Virginia?

In the year to 1 July 2025 there were 16,954 births and 24,841 deaths, a natural decrease of 7,887. Net international migration added 244 people, and 6,408 more people moved in from other states than left for them.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Who is the governor of West Virginia?

The governor of West Virginia is Patrick Morrisey, according to USA.gov.

Source: USA.gov (U.S. General Services Administration) · saved copy

How many local governments are there in West Virginia?

West Virginia had 639 local governments in the 2022 Census of Governments, 14th fewest of 51 (the 50 states and DC); that is 3.6 per 10,000 residents (United States: 2.7).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

What types of local government does West Virginia have?

The local governments of West Virginia in 2022 were 55 counties, 231 municipal governments, 298 special districts and 55 independent school districts; there were no township governments.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many special districts are in West Virginia?

Special districts, single-purpose bodies such as water, fire or transit districts, numbered 298 in West Virginia in 2022, 15th fewest of 51 (the 50 states and DC).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Has the number of governments in West Virginia changed?

Counting the state government itself, West Virginia had 640 government units in 2022, compared with 652 in 2017 and 326 in 1942.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Official bodies in West Virginia

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

California 39,355,309
Texas 31,709,821
Florida 23,462,518
New York 20,002,427
Pennsylvania 13,059,432
Illinois 12,719,141
Ohio 11,900,510
Georgia 11,302,748
North Carolina 11,197,968
Michigan 10,127,884
New Jersey 9,548,215
Virginia 8,880,107
Washington 8,001,020
Arizona 7,623,818
Tennessee 7,315,076
Massachusetts 7,154,084
Indiana 6,973,333
Missouri 6,270,541
Maryland 6,265,347
Colorado 6,012,561
Wisconsin 5,972,787
Minnesota 5,830,405
South Carolina 5,570,274
Alabama 5,193,088
Louisiana 4,618,189
Kentucky 4,606,864
Oregon 4,273,586
Oklahoma 4,123,288
Connecticut 3,688,496
Utah 3,538,904
Nevada 3,282,188
Iowa 3,238,387
Arkansas 3,114,791
Kansas 2,977,220
Mississippi 2,954,160
New Mexico 2,125,498
Idaho 2,029,733
Nebraska 2,018,006
Hawaii 1,432,820
New Hampshire 1,415,342
Maine 1,414,874
Montana 1,144,694
Rhode Island 1,114,521
Delaware 1,059,952
South Dakota 935,094
North Dakota 799,358
Alaska 737,270
District of Columbia 693,645
Vermont 644,663
Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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