2024 West Virginia Demographics | Data & Analysis
Ready-to-use reports, analytics, and visualizations covering West Virginia, including population, race, income, and more. Based on 2024 American Community Survey Estimates.
West Virginia Key Demographic Statistics (2024 Estimates)
Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 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% |
Understanding the Demographic Dependency Ratio in West Virginia
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.
For more detailed reports, explore the demographics for each of the most populated counties in West Virginia, including Kanawha County (178,198), Berkeley County (126,165), and Monongalia County (106,520).
What is the Racial and Ethnic Breakdown of West Virginia?
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% |
For detailed household income distribution reports on the counties with the highest median household income in West Virginia, explore the data for: Jefferson County ($95,523), Putnam County ($77,871), and Berkeley County ($77,329).
West Virginia 2024 Demographics: Property Value Distribution
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in West Virginia is based on a total of 559,415 properties.
The property value distribution in West Virginia across various value brackets is as follows:
| Property Value Range | Percentage of Properties |
|---|---|
| Less than $25,000 | 7.12% |
| $25,000 to $49,999 | 5.49% |
| $50,000 to $99,999 | 15.60% |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.95% |
| $200,000 to $499,999 | 36.53% |
| $500,000 to $999,999 | 5.86% |
| $1,000,000 or more | 0.45% |
Educational Attainment in West Virginia (2024 Data)
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.
90.07% of West Virginia population has 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% |
What is the Health Insurance Coverage Rate in West Virginia?
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 Population by 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%).
8.8% of workers in West Virginia report 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 | Number of Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Car, truck, or van | 86.6% | 657,864 |
| Public transportation | 0.6% | 4,307 |
| Bicycle | 0.2% | 1,327 |
| Walked | 2.6% | 19,502 |
| Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means | 1.3% | 9,551 |
| Worked from home | 8.8% | 66,915 |
| Total Workers | - | 759,466 |
West Virginia 2024 Demographics: Employment by Class of Worker
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in West Virginia totals 766,794 workers. Of these, 403,368 (52.6%) are male and 363,426 (47.4%) are female.
The employment distribution by class of worker in West Virginia is as follows:
| Employment Class | Male Workers | Female Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Private For-Profit | 289,877 (37.8%) | 224,282 (29.2%) |
| Private Non-Profit | 24,302 (3.2%) | 43,895 (5.7%) |
| Government (All Levels) | 69,229 (9.0%) | 83,039 (10.8%) |
| • Local Government | 23,190 | 37,081 |
| • State Government | 25,143 | 29,457 |
| • Federal Government | 20,896 | 16,501 |
| Self-Employed | 19,353 (2.5%) | 11,782 (1.5%) |
Class of worker categorizes employed civilians by their employment arrangement. Private sector workers are employed by for-profit or non-profit companies. Government workers include those employed at local, state, or federal levels. Self-employed workers operate their own unincorporated businesses. Understanding the class of worker distribution provides insights into the economic structure and employment diversity of West Virginia.
West Virginia 2024 Demographics: Veterans by Period of Service
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 109,457 civilian veterans aged 18 and over in West Virginia.
The largest group of veterans served during Vietnam Era Only, accounting for 38,561 veterans (35.2% of all veterans). The second-largest group served during Between Gulf War & Vietnam, with 16,894 veterans (15.4%).
The complete distribution of veterans by period of military service in West Virginia is as follows:
| Period of Service | Number of Veterans | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Era Only (August 1964 to April 1975) | 38,561 | 35.2% |
| Between Gulf War and Vietnam Era | 16,894 | 15.4% |
| Gulf War Only (August 1990 to August 2001) | 14,722 | 13.5% |
| Post-9/11 Only (September 2001 or later) | 14,689 | 13.4% |
| Between Vietnam Era and Korean War | 9,026 | 8.2% |
| Post-9/11 and Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) | 7,420 | 6.8% |
| Korean War Only (July 1950 to January 1955) | 4,891 | 4.5% |
| Gulf War and Vietnam Era | 1,267 | 1.2% |
| World War II Only (December 1941 to December 1946) | 885 | 0.8% |
| Vietnam Era and Korean War | 342 | 0.3% |
| Post-9/11, Gulf War, and Vietnam Era | 330 | 0.3% |
| Between Korean War and World War II | 297 | 0.3% |
| Korean War and World War II | 60 | 0.1% |
| Pre-World War II | 46 | 0.0% |
| Vietnam Era, Korean War, and World War II | 27 | 0.0% |
| Total Veterans | 109,457 | 100.0% |
Period of military service categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans may have served during multiple periods, including World War II (December 1941–December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950–January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964–April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990–August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Understanding veteran demographics helps communities provide appropriate services, benefits, and support to those who have served.
West Virginia 2024 Demographics: Families by Income-to-Poverty Ratio
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 472,539 families in West Virginia.
Of these families, 57,257 (12.1%) live below the poverty line (income less than 100% of the federal poverty level). An additional 164,243 families (34.8%) are at or near poverty (100-199% of poverty). Meanwhile, 251,039 families (53.1%) have incomes at least twice the poverty level.
The complete distribution of families by income-to-poverty ratio in West Virginia is as follows:
| Income-to-Poverty Ratio | Number of Families | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Below 50% of Poverty | 22,836 | 4.8% |
| 50-74% of Poverty | 16,094 | 3.4% |
| 75-99% of Poverty | 18,327 | 3.9% |
| 100-124% of Poverty | 18,750 | 4.0% |
| 125-149% of Poverty | 20,557 | 4.4% |
| 150-174% of Poverty | 20,728 | 4.4% |
| 175-184% of Poverty | 7,406 | 1.6% |
| 185-199% of Poverty | 11,414 | 2.4% |
| 200-299% of Poverty | 85,388 | 18.1% |
| 300-399% of Poverty | 73,379 | 15.5% |
| 400-499% of Poverty | 56,008 | 11.9% |
| 500%+ of Poverty | 121,652 | 25.7% |
| Total Families | 472,539 | 100.0% |
Income-to-poverty ratio measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold, which varies by family size and composition. A ratio below 1.00 (100%) indicates the family lives in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 represent families with low incomes who may still struggle financially despite being technically above the poverty line. Families with ratios of 2.00 (200%) or higher generally have more economic security. Understanding poverty distribution helps communities allocate resources and develop programs to support families in need.
West Virginia 2024 Demographics: SNAP/Food Stamps Recipients
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 740,840 total households in West Virginia. Of these, 126,022 households (17.01%) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months.
Among SNAP-recipient households, 52,207 (41.43%) have children under 18 years, while 73,815 (58.57%) do not have children under 18 years.
Household Composition of SNAP Recipients
| Household Type | With Children Under 18 | No Children Under 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Married-Couple Family | 19,166 (15.21%) | 11,371 (9.02%) |
| Male Householder, No Spouse | 6,695 (5.31%) | 4,744 (3.76%) |
| Female Householder, No Spouse | 25,254 (20.04%) | 9,741 (7.73%) |
| Nonfamily Households | 1,092 (0.87%) | 47,959 (38.06%) |
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. The program aims to help eligible households purchase nutritious food. SNAP participation rates and household composition patterns provide important insights into economic hardship and food security challenges in West Virginia. Households with children under 18 often face greater nutritional needs, while households without children may include seniors, disabled individuals, or working adults facing economic challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The age breakdown for the population of West Virginia is detailed below, showing the percentage of the total population for each group:
| 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% |