West Virginia population between 2000 and 2024
Over the last 20 plus years, between 2000 and 2024, population of West Virginia decreased by 36,715. In this period, the peak population was 1.86 million in the year 2012. The numbers suggest that the population has already reached its peak and is showing a trend of decline.
| Year | Population | Year on Year Change | Change in Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,806,694 | - | - |
| 2001 | 1,799,786 | -6,908 | -0.38% |
| 2002 | 1,802,202 | 2,416 | 0.13% |
| 2003 | 1,807,428 | 5,226 | 0.29% |
| 2004 | 1,809,894 | 2,466 | 0.14% |
| 2005 | 1,812,250 | 2,356 | 0.13% |
| 2006 | 1,817,358 | 5,108 | 0.28% |
| 2007 | 1,821,453 | 4,095 | 0.23% |
| 2008 | 1,825,444 | 3,991 | 0.22% |
| 2009 | 1,830,352 | 4,908 | 0.27% |
| 2010 | 1,854,265 | 23,913 | 1.31% |
| 2011 | 1,856,606 | 2,341 | 0.13% |
| 2012 | 1,857,446 | 840 | 0.05% |
| 2013 | 1,854,768 | -2,678 | -0.14% |
| 2014 | 1,850,569 | -4,199 | -0.23% |
| 2015 | 1,843,332 | -7,237 | -0.39% |
| 2016 | 1,832,435 | -10,897 | -0.59% |
| 2017 | 1,818,683 | -13,752 | -0.75% |
| 2018 | 1,805,953 | -12,730 | -0.70% |
| 2019 | 1,795,263 | -10,690 | -0.59% |
| 2020 | 1,791,646 | -3,617 | -0.20% |
| 2021 | 1,785,618 | -6,028 | -0.34% |
| 2022 | 1,774,122 | -11,496 | -0.64% |
| 2023 | 1,770,495 | -3,627 | -0.20% |
| 2024 | 1,769,979 | -516 | -0.03% |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
West Virginia population from 2000 to 2024
From 2000 to 2010, West Virginia's population increased by 47,571 (2.63%), according to Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. For the same period, the rate of growth for the United States was 9.63%.
From 2010 to 2020, West Virginia's population decreased by 62,619 (3.38%), according to Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. For the same period, the rate of growth for the United States was 7.19% .
After the COVID19 pandemic and, between the year 2020 and 2024, West Virginia's population decreased by 21,667 (1.21%).For the same period, the rate of growth for the United States was 2.57%.
FIGURE 1
West Virginia's population from 2000 to 2024.
The estimated population at the end of 2024 was 1.77 million.
Between the year 2000 and 2024, West Virginia's population peaked in year 2012 at 1.86 million.
Between the year 2000 and 2024, West Virginia's population was lowest in year 2024 at 1.77 million.
West Virginia annual population growth rate
Between the years 2000 and 2024, i.e. 24 annual cycles, the population of West Virginia grew year by year for 11 years and declined for 13 years.
From 2000 to 2024, West Virginia had an average annual population growth rate of 0.08% per year. Overall the population shrank 2.03% between 2000 and 2024.
FIGURE 2
West Virginia annual population growth rate
The average annual growth rate from 2000 to 2024 was 0.08% per year.
From 2009 to 2010 West Virginia population grew the most, with an increase of 23,913 people (a 1.31% year-on-year increase)..
From 2016 to 2017 West Virginia population experienced the most significant decrease, with a decline of 13,752 people (a 0.75% year-on-year decline).
Things to know
Is West Virginia population increasing or decreasing?
According to the latest data from U.S. Census Bureau's population estimates, West Virginia's population decreased by 4,143 between 2022 and 2024. The decrease was 3,627 (decreased) between 2022 and 2023; and decrease of 516 (0.03%) between 2023 and 2024.
How has the population of West Virginia changed in the last 10 years?
Between 2014 and 2024, population of West Virginia decreased by 80,590 (4.35%). The population was highest at 1.84 million in the year 2015 and lowest at 1.77 million in the year 2024. Overall the average growth rate witnessed for the last 10 years was -0.44%.
References
- US Census Bureau Population Estimates Population Estimates Program (PEP)