West Virginia, US

West Virginia: State of the United States of America

About

West Virginia is a state located in the Appalachian Mountain region of the Southern United States. It is bordered by Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Some key facts about West Virginia:

  • Capital: Charleston
  • Population: Around 1.8 million
  • Area: 24,230 square miles
  • Nickname: The Mountain State

West Virginia's terrain is defined by the Appalachian Mountains, forests, rivers, and valleys. The state has countless mountain peaks and rolling hills. Major rivers include the Ohio River, Kanawha River, and Monongahela River. The mountainous topography lends to rugged, uneven land.

Coal mining has played a pivotal role in the state's history and development, along with timbering and chemical manufacturing. The economy today also relies on agriculture, biotech, and tourism based around outdoor recreation.

Cities like Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, and Wheeling serve as economic and cultural hubs. West Virginia University and Marshall University are flagship educational institutions. The state struggles with poverty and the decline of coal mining jobs.

West Virginia is known for stunning natural beauty and outdoor activities like hiking, rafting, fishing, hunting, and skiing. Popular sites include Harpers Ferry, Seneca Rocks, and Blackwater Falls. The state has four distinct seasons.

In summary, West Virginia's winding mountains, mining heritage, and natural splendor make it a scenic state with rural charm despite underdevelopment and economic challenges. Its untouched mountain backdrop provides an escape into quintessential Appalachia.

West Virginia locator map
Location of West Virginia

Quick Facts about West Virginia

Population : 1,784,787
Country : United States of America
Head of government : Governor of West Virginia
Area : 62755 km2
Water as percent of area : 0.79%
Land as percent of area : 99.21%
Legislative body : West Virginia Legislature
Named for : west, Colony of Virginia
Altitude : 1,493 feet / 455 meters
Capital : Charleston
Establishment : June 06, 1863 (160 years ago)
Time Zone : America/New_York, Eastern Time Zone
Local time : 05:41:21 (19th March 2024)
Seal of West Virginia seal image
Seal of West Virginia
Seal of West Virginia seal image

Geography

West Virginia is located at 38°30'1"N 80°30'0"W (38.5003800, -80.5000900). It has 5 neighbors: Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

West Virginia map

The largest city of West Virginia is Charleston with a population of 45,879. Other cities include, Huntington population 44,934, Morgantown population 30,847, Parkersburg population 29,009 and Wheeling population 26,283. See all West Virginia cities & populated places.

Largest Cities in West Virginia (more)

Cities, Towns, Villages, Neighborhoods & Other Populated Places in West Virginia.

City Name Title County Population
Charleston The capital of West Virginia. Kanawha 45,879
Huntington The second-most populous city in West Virginia. Cabell 44,934
Morgantown City in and county seat of Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States Monongalia 30,847
City of Parkersburg City in and county seat of Wood County, West Virginia Wood 30,601
Parkersburg City in and county seat of Wood County, West Virginia Wood 29,009
Wheeling City in West Virginia Ohio 26,283
Weirton Heights City in Hancock County, West Virginia, United States of America Hancock 19,450
Fairmont County seat of Marion County, West Virginia, United States Marion 18,370
Weirton City in West Virginia, United States Hancock 18,068
Martinsburg City in West Virginia, United States Berkeley 17,514
Beckley City in and county seat of Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States Raleigh 15,805
Clarksburg City in West Virginia, United States Harrison 15,424
Teays Valley Census designated place Putnam 13,175
South Charleston City in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States Kanawha 12,036
Vienna City in West Virginia, United States Wood 10,028
Cross Lanes Census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia Kanawha 9,995

Show more West Virginia cities and populated places

  • Earl Ray Tomblin ,
  • Jim Justice , 2017-01-16T00:00:00Z

West Virginia has 5 neighbours.

  • Maryland state of the United States of America
  • Ohio state of the United States of America
  • Kentucky state of the United States of America
  • Pennsylvania state in the northeastern United States
  • Virginia state of the United States of America

  • Wayne County
  • Ohio County
  • Berkeley County
  • Randolph County
  • Kanawha County
  • Fayette County
  • Marshall County
  • Pleasants County
  • Cabell County
  • Braxton County
  • Wirt County
  • Pocahontas County
  • Clay County
  • Webster County
  • Calhoun County
  • Monroe County
  • Gilmer County
  • Mercer County
  • Brooke County
  • Wyoming County
  • Harrison County
  • Pendleton County
  • Tyler County
  • Roane County
  • Wood County
  • Monongalia County
  • Logan County
  • Lincoln County
  • Summers County
  • Taylor County
  • Upshur County
  • Hardy County
  • Tucker County
  • Boone County
  • Marion County
  • Mineral County
  • Jackson County
  • Mingo County
  • Preston County
  • Morgan County
  • Hancock County
  • Ritchie County
  • Putnam County
  • Hampshire County
  • Greenbrier County
  • Raleigh County
  • Doddridge County
  • Nicholas County
  • Lewis County
  • McDowell County
  • Mason County
  • Wetzel County
  • Jefferson County
  • Grant County
  • Barbour County

Demographics

Year Population % Change Method
1910 1,221,119 - census
1920 1,463,701 16.57% census
1930 1,729,205 15.35% census
1940 1,901,974 9.08% census
1950 2,005,552 5.16% census
1960 1,860,421 -7.8% census
1970 1,744,237 -6.66% census
1980 1,949,644 10.54% census
1990 1,793,477 -8.71% census
2000 1,808,344 0.82% census
2010 1,852,994 2.41% census
2011 1,856,301 0.18% estimation process
2012 1,856,872 0.03% estimation process
2013 1,853,914 -0.16% estimation process
2014 1,849,489 -0.24% estimation process
2015 1,842,050 -0.4% estimation process
2016 1,831,023 -0.6% estimation process
2017 1,817,004 -0.77% estimation process
2018 1,804,291 -0.7% estimation process
2019 1,792,147 -0.68% estimation process
2020 1,784,787 -0.41% estimation process

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People born in West Virginia (114)

People born in West Virginia, including racecar driver Duke Dinsmore, rock climber Royal Robbins, economist James Duesenberry, .

List

  • Gustavus Simmons (American cryptographer) he was born in 27/10/1930
  • Jeanne Hines (American writer) she was born in 01/01/1922
  • Wilber Pan (Taiwanese-American singer, actor and entrepreneur) he was born in 06/08/1980
  • Frederick Mosteller (American statistician) he was born in 24/12/1916
  • Jack Gregg (American musician) he was born in 01/01/1938
  • Henry Swearingen (American politician (1792-1849)) he was born in 01/01/1792
  • JT LeRoy (literary persona adopted by writer Laura Albert) he was born in 31/10/1980
  • Janie Haddad Tompkins (American actress) she was born in 01/01/2000
  • John Peale Bishop (American writer) he was born in 21/05/1892
  • Wylie Draper (American actor (1969-1993)) he was born in 05/05/1969
  • Leonard Barr (American actor and comedian (1903-1980)) he was born in 27/09/1903
  • Fred Smith (American Musician) he was born in 13/09/1949
  • Charlie Manuel (American baseball player and coach) he was born in 04/01/1944
  • Dick Justice (American musician) he was born in 01/01/1906
  • Frank Sampedro (American musician) he was born in 25/02/1949
  • Henry W. Bigler he was born in 28/08/1815
  • Richard Ellington (American writer and screenwriter) he was born in 21/05/1914
  • Thomas Benjamin Fitzpatrick (Naval officer) he was born in 01/01/1896

West Virginia Counties (more)

Kanawha County
Kanawha County

Kanawha County, county in West Virginia, United States

Berkeley County
Berkeley County

Berkeley County, county in West Virginia, United States of America

Monongalia County
Monongalia County

Monongalia County, county in West Virginia, United States

County Name Population
Kanawha County 176,253
Berkeley County 122,125
Monongalia County 106,819
Cabell County 91,589
Wood County 82,938
Raleigh County 72,920
Harrison County 66,870
Mercer County 58,258
Jefferson County 57,486
Putnam County 56,428
Marion County 55,962
Fayette County 42,062
Ohio County 41,182
Wayne County 39,054
Greenbrier County 34,319
Preston County 33,380

Show more West Virginia counties

Map & Images (more maps)

West Virginia Regions Map
West Virginia Regions Map
Usa West Virginia Location Map
Usa West Virginia Location Map
West Virginia Road Map
West Virginia Road Map
West Virginia Flag Map
West Virginia Flag Map
Counties Map of West Virginia
Counties Map of West Virginia
West Virginia Relief Map
West Virginia Relief Map
Where Is West Virginia Located
Where Is West Virginia Located
West Virginia Cities And Towns
West Virginia Cities And Towns
West Virginia County Map
West Virginia County Map
West Virginia Rivers And Lakes
West Virginia Rivers And Lakes
West Virginia Reference Map
West Virginia Reference Map