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Which counties in West Virginia are losing population?

47 of the 55 counties in West Virginia had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020. McDowell County lost the largest share, down 10.9% (−2,064 people). Kanawha County lost the most residents (−7,834).

Of the 47 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 46 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 1 (Census Bureau components of population change).

Data as of 2025 · updated

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All 47 West Virginia counties that lost residents

Counties losing population in West Virginia
RankCountyChange 2020–25Residents lost 2020–25Residents 2025Largest factor 2020–25
1McDowell County−10.9%−2,06416,878Natural change (−1,146)
2Mingo County−8.7%−2,03421,455Domestic migration (−1,072)
3Wyoming County−7.1%−1,52119,801Natural change (−874)
4Webster County−7.1%−5947,760Natural change (−384)
5Boone County−6.9%−1,49520,251Natural change (−915)
6Logan County−6.6%−2,13930,375Natural change (−1,423)
7Brooke County−6.0%−1,33921,142Natural change (−1,051)
8Wirt County−5.9%−3084,879Natural change (−167)
9Clay County−5.9%−4717,538Natural change (−360)
10Lincoln County−5.9%−1,19219,177Natural change (−872)
11Fayette County−5.6%−2,27738,165Natural change (−1,855)
12Tyler County−5.0%−4137,881Natural change (−275)
13Pendleton County−4.9%−3035,826Natural change (−348)
14Roane County−4.8%−67113,317Natural change (−604)
15Wetzel County−4.7%−67013,734Natural change (−456)
16Ritchie County−4.6%−3908,034Natural change (−300)
17Hancock County−4.5%−1,31127,729Natural change (−1,294)
18Marshall County−4.4%−1,33929,159Natural change (−876)
19Ohio County−4.4%−1,85140,496Natural change (−1,527)
20Kanawha County−4.3%−7,834172,381Natural change (−5,975)
21Gilmer County−4.2%−3087,085Natural change (−258)
22Braxton County−4.2%−51511,885Natural change (−488)
23Pleasants County−4.1%−3177,338Natural change (−253)
24Greenbrier County−4.0%−1,32831,578Natural change (−1,453)
25Wayne County−4.0%−1,56437,309Natural change (−1,225)
26Lewis County−3.7%−62716,394Natural change (−608)
27Calhoun County−3.6%−2255,978Natural change (−241)
28Randolph County−3.6%−1,01126,882Natural change (−957)
29Raleigh County−3.5%−2,62971,775Natural change (−2,717)
30Mercer County−3.4%−2,02557,503Natural change (−2,225)
31Summers County−3.3%−39911,532Natural change (−631)
32Pocahontas County−3.3%−2597,602Natural change (−389)
33Cabell County−3.2%−3,06291,183Natural change (−2,632)
34Tucker County−3.2%−2136,540Natural change (−308)
35Nicholas County−2.9%−71123,848Natural change (−960)
36Mason County−2.7%−69624,707Natural change (−786)
37Harrison County−2.5%−1,62564,221Natural change (−1,813)
38Taylor County−2.4%−40316,287Natural change (−362)
39Wood County−2.1%−1,76882,385Natural change (−2,092)
40Doddridge County−1.9%−1517,634Natural change (−128)
41Marion County−1.2%−65655,584Natural change (−1,341)
42Jackson County−1.0%−27327,450Natural change (−834)
43Putnam County−1.0%−55656,885Natural change (−1,013)
44Preston County−0.6%−19734,004Natural change (−862)
45Mineral County−0.4%−10026,792Natural change (−700)
46Barbour County−0.3%−4915,414Natural change (−437)
47Upshur County−0.3%−6223,758Natural change (−403)

How this is ranked

Counties whose Census Bureau resident population estimate for July 1, 2025 is lower than for July 1, 2020, steepest percentage decline first. The largest factor is the most negative of natural change (births minus deaths), net domestic migration and net international migration over the same years (Census Bureau components of population change). 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 is losing population fastest?

McDowell County: down 10.9% between 2020 and 2025, to 16,878 residents (−2,064 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Mingo County (−8.7%) and Wyoming County (−7.1%).

How many counties in West Virginia are losing population?

47 of the 55 counties in West Virginia had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020; the other 8 grew or held steady.

Why are counties in West Virginia losing population?

Of the 47 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 46 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 1 (Census Bureau components of population change).

More county rankings for West Virginia

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