West Virginia Demographics

A map of West Virginia's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,594,845	1,598,834	89.7%	89.1%
Multiracial	69,544	72,135	3.9%	4.0%
Black	54,933	64,749	3.1%	3.6%
Hispanic	38,175	34,827	2.1%	1.9%
Asian	13,343	14,903	0.8%	0.8%
Native American/Other	7,533	8,268	0.4%	0.5%

West Virginia has an estimated population of 1,778,373, a less than 1% change from the 1,793,716 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 89.7% White, 3.9% Multiracial, 3.1% Black, 2.1% Hispanic, 0.8% Asian, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of West Virginia, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

West Virginia has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In West Virginia, that probability was 20.2% in 2020 and 19.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

West Virginia is ranked the 39th most populous state in the United States, out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. West Virginia was ranked the 39th most populous state in the 2020 Census.

West Virginia's White Population

1,594,845 residents of West Virginia, or 89.7% of the population, identify as White. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, West Virginia is 2nd in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, West Virginia's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of West Virginia's population has increased from 89.1% to 89.7%.

West Virginia is more White than neighboring Virginia (58.4% White), Ohio (75.8% White), North Carolina (60% White), Pennsylvania (73% White), and District of Columbia (36.5% White).

West Virginia's Black Population

54,933 residents of West Virginia, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Black. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, West Virginia is 38th in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, West Virginia's Black population has declined by an estimated 15.2%. Black residents' share of West Virginia's population has decreased from 3.6% to 3.1%.

West Virginia is less Black than neighboring Virginia (18.3% Black). Ohio (12% Black). North Carolina (20% Black). Pennsylvania (10.3% Black). and District of Columbia (41.6% Black).

West Virginia's Asian Population

13,343 residents of West Virginia, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, West Virginia is 50th in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, West Virginia's Asian population has declined by an estimated 10.5%. Asian residents' share of West Virginia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

West Virginia is less Asian than neighboring Virginia (6.9% Asian). Ohio (2.5% Asian). North Carolina (3.3% Asian). Pennsylvania (3.8% Asian). and District of Columbia (4.3% Asian).

West Virginia's Hispanic Population

38,175 residents of West Virginia, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, West Virginia is 51st in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, West Virginia's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 9.6%. Hispanic residents' share of West Virginia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.1%.

West Virginia is less Hispanic than neighboring Virginia (11% Hispanic). Ohio (4.8% Hispanic). North Carolina (11.3% Hispanic). Pennsylvania (8.7% Hispanic). and District of Columbia (11.9% Hispanic).

West Virginia's Native American/Other Population

7,533 residents of West Virginia, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, West Virginia is 51st in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, West Virginia's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 8.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of West Virginia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

West Virginia is less Native American/Other than neighboring Virginia (0.8% Native American/Other). Ohio (0.5% Native American/Other). North Carolina (1.4% Native American/Other). Pennsylvania (0.6% Native American/Other). and District of Columbia (0.8% Native American/Other).

West Virginia's Multiracial Population

69,544 residents of West Virginia, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, West Virginia is 25th in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, West Virginia's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 3.6%. Multiracial residents' share of West Virginia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.9%.

West Virginia is more Multiracial than neighboring Pennsylvania (3.6% Multiracial). West Virginia is less Multiracial than neighboring Virginia (4.7% Multiracial). Ohio (4.3% Multiracial). North Carolina (4.1% Multiracial). and District of Columbia (4.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.