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What are the largest counties in West Virginia?

Kanawha County is the largest county in West Virginia, with 172,381 residents in 2025 (Census PEP). Berkeley County (139,522) and Monongalia County (107,991) come next.

Data as of 2025 · updated

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All 55 ranked West Virginia counties

West Virginia counties ranked by population
RankCountyResidents 2025Change 2020–25
1Kanawha County172,381−4.3%
2Berkeley County139,522+13.7%
3Monongalia County107,991+2.0%
4Cabell County91,183−3.2%
5Wood County82,385−2.1%
6Raleigh County71,775−3.5%
7Harrison County64,221−2.5%
8Jefferson County63,102+9.2%
9Mercer County57,503−3.4%
10Putnam County56,885−1.0%
11Marion County55,584−1.2%
12Ohio County40,496−4.4%
13Fayette County38,165−5.6%
14Wayne County37,309−4.0%
15Preston County34,004−0.6%
16Greenbrier County31,578−4.0%
17Logan County30,375−6.6%
18Marshall County29,159−4.4%
19Hancock County27,729−4.5%
20Jackson County27,450−1.0%
21Randolph County26,882−3.6%
22Mineral County26,792−0.4%
23Mason County24,707−2.7%
24Hampshire County24,105+4.4%
25Nicholas County23,848−2.9%
26Upshur County23,758−0.3%
27Mingo County21,455−8.7%
28Brooke County21,142−6.0%
29Boone County20,251−6.9%
30Wyoming County19,801−7.1%
31Lincoln County19,177−5.9%
32Morgan County18,027+5.5%
33McDowell County16,878−10.9%
34Lewis County16,394−3.7%
35Taylor County16,287−2.4%
36Barbour County15,414−0.3%
37Hardy County14,337+0.7%
38Wetzel County13,734−4.7%
39Roane County13,317−4.8%
40Monroe County12,491+0.8%
41Braxton County11,885−4.2%
42Summers County11,532−3.3%
43Grant County11,041+0.4%
44Ritchie County8,034−4.6%
45Tyler County7,881−5.0%
46Webster County7,760−7.1%
47Doddridge County7,634−1.9%
48Pocahontas County7,602−3.3%
49Clay County7,538−5.9%
50Pleasants County7,338−4.1%
51Gilmer County7,085−4.2%
52Tucker County6,540−3.2%
53Calhoun County5,978−3.6%
54Pendleton County5,826−4.9%
55Wirt County4,879−5.9%

How this is ranked

The Census Bureau's July 1 resident population estimates for 2025, largest first, with the change since 2020. Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents are not ranked. Areas without an estimate for the same year as the others are not ranked.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built.

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Questions

What is the largest county in West Virginia?

Kanawha County is the largest county in West Virginia, with 172,381 residents in 2025 (Census PEP). Berkeley County (139,522) and Monongalia County (107,991) come next.

How is this ranking calculated?

The Census Bureau's July 1 resident population estimates for 2025, largest first, with the change since 2020. Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents are not ranked. Areas without an estimate for the same year as the others are not ranked.

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