Which counties in West Virginia are people leaving?

21 of the 55 counties in West Virginia had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025. Webster County had the largest net outflow for its size: 11.0 per 1,000 residents (−85 people). In people, Monongalia County had the largest net outflow (−254).

Net out-migration does not always mean fewer residents: 2 of these 21 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

Data as of 2025 · updated November 5, 2026

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All 21 West Virginia counties with net out-migration

Counties with the most out-migration in West Virginia
Rank	County	Per 1,000 residents, 2025	Net movers 2025	Residents	Population change 2020–25
1	Webster County	−11.0	−85	7,760	−7.1%
2	Taylor County	−8.7	−142	16,287	−2.4%
3	Clay County	−8.5	−64	7,538	−5.9%
4	McDowell County	−6.6	−111	16,878	−10.9%
5	Braxton County	−6.1	−73	11,885	−4.2%
6	Hardy County	−5.3	−76	14,337	+0.7%
7	Ohio County	−4.4	−179	40,496	−4.4%
8	Mingo County	−4.0	−86	21,455	−8.7%
9	Ritchie County	−3.7	−30	8,034	−4.6%
10	Roane County	−3.5	−46	13,317	−4.8%
11	Wyoming County	−2.5	−49	19,801	−7.1%
12	Monongalia County	−2.4	−254	107,991	+2.0%
13	Wetzel County	−2.0	−28	13,734	−4.7%
14	Fayette County	−1.5	−58	38,165	−5.6%
15	Randolph County	−1.5	−40	26,882	−3.6%
16	Logan County	−1.4	−42	30,375	−6.6%
17	Hancock County	−1.0	−27	27,729	−4.5%
18	Boone County	−0.8	−16	20,251	−6.9%
19	Kanawha County	−0.7	−126	172,381	−4.3%
20	Lincoln County	−0.7	−14	19,177	−5.9%
21	Brooke County	−0.6	−12	21,142	−6.0%

How this is ranked

Counties where more residents moved away to other U.S. counties than moved in (negative net domestic migration in the Census Bureau's population estimates for 2025), per 1,000 residents, largest net outflow first. Moves from and to other countries, births and deaths are not counted. Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents, or without a figure for the same period as the others, are left out, as on every ranking.

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. More on every layer: data sources and licences.

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Questions

Which county in West Virginia are the most people leaving?

For its size, Webster County: net domestic migration of −11.0 per 1,000 residents in 2025 (−85 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Taylor County (−8.7) and Clay County (−8.5).

How many counties in West Virginia have more people moving out than in?

21 of the 55 counties in West Virginia had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025.

Does net out-migration mean a county is losing population?

Not always. Net domestic migration counts moves between U.S. counties only; births, deaths and international migration also change the total. 2 of these 21 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

More county rankings for West Virginia

Counties with the most out-migration in other states

Across the U.S.