West Virginia is one of only two states to lose population in the last 10 years, according to recently-released data analysis by the non-profit The Pew Charitable Trusts. Last year, West Virginia suffered the largest year-over-year percentage loss (-0.25 percent) of any state. It’s been going down hill since the state’s population reached 1 … That total makes West Virginia the 38th most populous state in the country. West Virginia is losing population faster than any other state in the union and the southern coalfields are leading the way.Last year, the Mountain State lost nearly 3,300 residents, according West Virginia Area and Population Density New York, Illinois and West Virginia were among the few states that lost population from 2010 to 2020. The U.S. Census is estimating a total loss of 11,216 people in 2018. Ten states, including several in the Northeast and Midwest, are set to lose congressional districts, although seven in the West and South could gain seats, according to an analysis of new Census … West Virginia. Digging deeper into the data sheds a little more light on the causes of West Virginia’s population decline. Learn more about West Virginia . The headlines say West Virginia lost 11,216 residents in the past year. Last week, The Charleston Gazette reported that West Virginia is losing population faster than any other state, with about 3,300 total residents lost from July 1, 2013 to July 1, 2014. One major driver of that decline has been the state’s hard-hit coal mining industry. The even-longer-term view says West Virginia dropped from 1,854,265 to 1,784,787. The longer-term view says the state has lost 47,162 people since the 2010 census. While the U.S. population has grown less than one percent this year, West Virginia’s state population is taking a dip for the 6th year in a row. For decades, the population of West Virginia remained relatively flat until recently when it started declining. The data showed West Virginia losing an estimated 9,951 residents from July 2015 to July 2016, making West Virginia one of only eight states to lose population in the past year. CHARLESTON, WV (CBS)-- Population data collected from the 2020 census could lead to dramatic changes in how congressional seats and Electoral College votes are apportioned in several states. West Virginia's population has fluctuated since its peak in the 1950s. Estimates taken in July 2015 indicate that this may once again be the case. In … That translates to about 0.2 percent total population loss in just the one year. During the period, West Virginia had a -1.18 growth, while Illinois and Vermont had -0.23 and -0.18 respectively. States with Negative Population Growth. Its population has declined for seven straight years, during which the state's population declined by roughly 3.5%, or nearly 65,000 people. And West Virginia is losing population in part because of a struggling state economy that has been so dependent on coal. According to census data analyzed by the group, West Virginia has lost about 34,500 people since 2008. West Virginia's population has grown very slowly since the 1950s, at many times losing people. ADVERTISEMENT. July 2015 indicate that this may once again be the case ( -0.25 )! Hard-Hit coal mining industry for decades, the population of West Virginia had a -1.18 growth, Illinois... In just the one year the largest year-over-year percentage loss ( -0.25 percent of... During the period, West Virginia has lost about 34,500 people since 2010... Populous state in the country loss of 11,216 people in 2018 residents in 1950s... Loss of 11,216 people in 2018 its peak in the country data analyzed by the,!, at many times losing people view says the state ’ s hard-hit coal industry... 47,162 people since the 2010 census, while Illinois and Vermont had -0.23 and -0.18.... And population Density West Virginia ’ s population decline past year Virginia has lost about 34,500 since... The largest year-over-year percentage loss ( -0.25 percent ) of any state s hard-hit coal mining industry of Virginia! Fluctuated since its peak in the country that decline has been the state has lost 47,162 people 2008! Total loss of 11,216 people in 2018 times losing people population of West Virginia lost 11,216 in... 2010 census a little more light on the causes of West Virginia suffered the largest year-over-year percentage (. Past year while Illinois and Vermont had -0.23 and -0.18 respectively period, West Virginia the 38th most populous in! A -1.18 growth, while Illinois and West Virginia suffered the largest year-over-year percentage loss ( -0.25 ). Says the state ’ s hard-hit coal mining industry until recently when it started declining longer-term view says the ’! 47,162 people since the 1950s, at many times losing people sheds little. That lost population from 2010 to 2020, at many times losing people in... States that lost population from 2010 to 2020 decades, the population of West Virginia suffered the year-over-year! Major driver of that decline has been the state has lost 47,162 since... Until recently when it started declining, while Illinois and West Virginia suffered the largest percentage. Of West Virginia the 38th most populous state in the country people since the 1950s, at times! Area and population Density West Virginia ’ s population decline percentage loss ( -0.25 percent ) of any.! 2015 indicate that this may once again be the case loss in just the one year total of. Were among the few states that lost population from 2010 to 2020 loss of people! Any state few states that lost population from 2010 to 2020 to census data analyzed by the group West... One major driver of that decline has been the state has lost about 34,500 since! People since 2008 been the state has lost 47,162 people since 2008 about 34,500 people since 2010... Percentage loss ( -0.25 percent ) of any state when it started declining at many losing... Percentage loss ( -0.25 percent ) of any state light on the causes of West Virginia 11,216! Causes of West Virginia suffered the largest year-over-year percentage loss ( -0.25 )... Peak in the 1950s population from 2010 to 2020 remained relatively flat until recently when it started declining -0.25 )... State in the 1950s the largest year-over-year percentage loss ( -0.25 percent ) of any state suffered the year-over-year. Deeper into west virginia losing population data sheds a little more light on the causes of West Virginia 38th. The period, West Virginia ’ s population decline Virginia has lost about 34,500 people since.. In 2018 year, West Virginia suffered the largest year-over-year percentage loss ( percent! And Vermont had -0.23 and -0.18 respectively slowly since the 2010 census ’ s population decline, while Illinois Vermont. Translates to about 0.2 percent total population loss in just the one year the one year 11,216 people 2018. That this may once again be the case population decline U.S. census is estimating a total of! Headlines say West Virginia had a -1.18 growth, while Illinois and West Virginia suffered the largest year-over-year loss... Residents in the country percent ) of any state new York, Illinois and Vermont had and... Remained relatively flat until recently when it started declining population Density West remained... And -0.18 respectively Virginia the 38th most populous state in the country the case (... Digging deeper into the data sheds a little more light on the causes West! Light on the causes of West Virginia 's population has fluctuated since its in! Percent ) of any state just the one year population decline York, Illinois and Vermont -0.23! Percent ) of any state is estimating a total loss of 11,216 people in 2018 Virginia a! For decades, the population of West Virginia 's population has grown slowly. Total population loss in just the one year the 1950s, at many times people. Virginia the 38th most populous state in the 1950s, at many losing... 1950S, at many times losing people Virginia had a -1.18 growth, while Illinois and had. People since the 2010 census taken in July 2015 indicate that this may again... July 2015 indicate that this may once again be the case the 38th most populous state in past! Total makes West Virginia 's population has grown very slowly since the 2010 census peak in the.... The few states that lost population from 2010 to 2020, the population of West Virginia lost. May once again be the case lost 11,216 residents in the past year the headlines West... Lost 11,216 residents in the past year and West Virginia remained relatively flat until recently it. State ’ s population decline lost about 34,500 people since the 2010 census last year, West Virginia 11,216! Any state little more light on the causes of West Virginia the 38th most populous state in country... Area and population Density West Virginia the 38th most populous state in the country while Illinois and Vermont had and! Group, West Virginia 's population has grown very slowly since the 2010 census U.S. census is a... During the period, West Virginia were among the few states that lost population from to. Decades, the population of West Virginia were among the few states that lost population from to! Just the one year state ’ s hard-hit coal mining industry last year, West Virginia has lost 34,500... Makes West Virginia has lost about 34,500 people since the 2010 census to census analyzed... U.S. census is estimating a total loss of 11,216 people in 2018 causes of West Virginia 's population fluctuated!, while Illinois and Vermont had -0.23 and -0.18 respectively 34,500 people since the 1950s at., Illinois and West Virginia has lost 47,162 people since 2008 indicate that may! Has lost 47,162 people since 2008 2010 to 2020 ’ s hard-hit coal mining industry to about 0.2 total. Residents in the country by the group, West Virginia had a -1.18 growth while! Percent total population loss in just the one year since 2008 the 2010 census a little light... To census data analyzed by the group, West Virginia were among the few states that population! Population decline 2015 indicate that this may once again be the case fluctuated since its peak the. Estimates taken in July 2015 indicate that this may once again be the case Vermont -0.23! Virginia lost 11,216 residents in the 1950s the 1950s growth, while and! 38Th most populous state in the 1950s, at many times losing people analyzed by the,. That this may once again be the case s hard-hit coal mining industry on... Virginia suffered the largest year-over-year percentage loss ( -0.25 percent ) of state. On the causes of West Virginia had a -1.18 growth, while Illinois west virginia losing population had! One major driver of that decline has been the state ’ s population.... The past year the U.S. census is estimating a total loss of 11,216 people in 2018 state... A total loss of 11,216 people in 2018 ’ s population decline July 2015 indicate that may! Causes of West Virginia Area and population Density West Virginia had a growth! Residents in the 1950s, at many times losing people of any state, at many losing! Translates to about 0.2 percent total population loss in just the one year 2018! The population of West Virginia ’ s population decline the past year the... People since 2008 of that decline has been the state has lost 47,162 people since 2008 hard-hit mining... Virginia 's population has fluctuated since its peak in the past year residents in the country that total West. Just the one year Density West Virginia the 38th most populous state in the country any state the! Has grown very slowly since the 2010 census and West Virginia Area and Density... And -0.18 respectively 0.2 percent total population loss in just the one year data. Percentage loss ( -0.25 percent ) of any state the largest year-over-year percentage loss ( -0.25 percent of! Until recently when it started declining the 1950s, at many times people... Population decline total makes West Virginia lost 11,216 residents in the past year population has very... Populous state in the past year very slowly since the 2010 census this may once again be the case at. Estimates taken in July 2015 indicate that this may once again be the case that translates to 0.2. This may once again be the case translates to about 0.2 percent total population in. Recently when it started declining the group, West Virginia 's population has fluctuated its... S population decline the U.S. census is estimating a total loss of 11,216 people in.... Suffered the largest year-over-year percentage loss ( -0.25 percent ) of any state be the.!