Get ready-to-use data, reports, analysis, and visualizations covering the demographics of West Virginia based on the current United States Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates.
West Virginia 2024 Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the total population of West Virginia is 1,769,979. The median age of the population in West Virginia is 42.9 years. The median age for males is 41.6 years, and for females it is 44.3 years.
The age distribution of the population in West Virginia by age group is as follows:
| Age Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 4.88% |
| 5–17 years (children) | 14.75% |
| 18–24 years (young adults) | 8.68% |
| 25–34 years | 12.04% |
| 35–54 years | 24.59% |
| 55–64 years | 13.19% |
| 65 years and over (seniors) | 21.86% |
The total dependency ratio in West Virginia is 70.92. The youth dependency ratio is 33.56, and the old-age dependency ratio is 37.36. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children under 18 and older adults 65+) relative to the working age (18-64) population. A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support the non-working age groups.
West Virginia 2024 Demographics: Race & Ethnicity Distribution
The racial makeup and ethnic composition (racial demographics) of West Virginia is detailed below, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates.
The Diversity Index for West Virginia is calculated at 20.67, suggesting a low level of racial and ethnic diversity. This index measures the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.
The following table provides the breakdown of the population of West Virginia by race and ethnicity:
| Racial/Ethnic Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White Alone (Non-Hispanic) | 88.86% |
| Two or More Races | 4.56% |
| Black/African American Alone | 3.14% |
| Hispanic or Latino (Any Race) | 2.32% |
| Asian Alone | 0.68% |
| Some Other Race Alone | 0.26% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native Alone | 0.17% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone | 0.01% |
West Virginia 2024 Demographics: Household Income Distribution
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the median household income in West Virginia over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2024 inflation, was $60,798. This figure is based on a total of 740,840 households.
The distribution of household income in West Virginia across various income brackets is as follows:
| Income Range | Percentage of Households |
|---|---|
| Less than $20,000 | 16.07% |
| $20,000 to $34,999 | 14.12% |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 11.72% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 17.16% |
| $75,000 to $149,999 | 28.69% |
| $150,000 or more | 12.23% |
West Virginia 2024 Demographics: Educational Attainment Distribution
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the educational attainment data covers the population 25 years and older in West Virginia, totaling 1,268,689 individuals.
A significant portion of the population, 90.07%, has attained a high school diploma or higher. Furthermore, the percentage of individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher professional/graduate degree is 24.38%.
The detailed breakdown by educational level is presented below:
| Educational Attainment Level | Percentage of Population 25+ |
|---|---|
| Less than high school graduate | 9.93% |
| High school graduate (incl. equivalency) | 39.38% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 26.31% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 14.80% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 9.58% |
West Virginia 2024 Demographics: Health Insurance Coverage by Gender & Age
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the health insurance coverage data for West Virginia shows that 5.8% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 100,543 individuals out of a total population of 1,736,098 people.
The uninsured rates vary significantly by age group. Young adults (18-34 years) have uninsured rates of 13.5% for males and 9.8% for females. In the 35-64 age bracket, 8.6% of males and 6.6% of females are uninsured.
Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare. In West Virginia, uninsured rates for children are 3.0% for males and 2.7% for females, while seniors have rates of 0.5% for males and 0.4% for females.
| Age Group | Male Uninsured % | Female Uninsured % |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 3.0% | 2.7% |
| 18-34 years | 13.5% | 9.8% |
| 35-64 years | 8.6% | 6.6% |
| 65+ years | 0.5% | 0.4% |
West Virginia 2024 Demographics: Nativity and Citizenship Status
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the nativity and citizenship data for West Virginia shows that 99.0% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes both native-born and naturalized citizens, representing 1,751,637 individuals out of a total population of 1,769,979 people.
The nativity breakdown reveals diverse origins: 97.4% were born in the United States, 0.1% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, and 0.4% were born abroad of American parent(s).
Among the foreign-born population, 1.1% of the total population have become naturalized U.S. citizens (18,911 individuals), while 1.0% are non-citizens (18,342 individuals).
| Nativity/Citizenship Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Born in the United States | 97.4% |
| Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas | 0.1% |
| Born abroad of American parent(s) | 0.4% |
| U.S. citizen by naturalization | 1.1% |
| Not a U.S. citizen | 1.0% |
| Total U.S. Citizens | 99.0% |
West Virginia 2024 Demographics: Means of Transportation to Work
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the commuting patterns for West Virginia show that 86.6% of workers commute by car, truck, or van. This represents 657,864 workers out of a total workforce of 759,466 people.
Public transportation usage stands at 0.6% (4,307 workers), which includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries, but excludes taxicabs. Active transportation methods include walking (2.6%) and bicycling (0.2%).
Remote work has become an increasingly important commuting option, with 8.8% of workers in West Virginia working from home. An additional 1.3% use other means such as taxicabs, motorcycles, or other forms of transportation. These alternative commuting patterns reflect changing work arrangements and transportation preferences in the modern workforce.
| Transportation Method | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Car, truck, or van | 86.6% |
| Public transportation | 0.6% |
| Bicycle | 0.2% |
| Walked | 2.6% |
| Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means | 1.3% |
| Worked from home | 8.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
The age breakdown for the population of West Virginia is as follows:
| Age Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 4.88% |
| 5–17 years (children) | 14.75% |
| 18–24 years (young adults) | 8.68% |
| 25–34 years | 12.04% |
| 35–54 years | 24.59% |
| 55–64 years | 13.19% |
| 65 years and over (seniors) | 21.86% |