West Virginia Demographics

A map of West Virginia's Population by Race

West Virginia had a population of 1,793,716 in 2020. It was 89.1% White, 3.6% Black, 0.8% Asian, 1.9% Hispanic, 0.5% Native American/Other, and 4.0% Multiracial. This map presents the population of West Virginia, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

West Virginia is the 39th most populous state in the United States.

West Virginia's White Population

1,598,834 residents of West Virginia identify as White, or 89.1%. Ranked amongst the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, West Virginia is #2 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

West Virginia is more White than neighboring Virginia (58.6% White), Ohio (75.9% White), North Carolina (60.5% White), Pennsylvania (73.5% White), and District of Columbia (38% White).

West Virginia's Black Population

64,749 residents of West Virginia identify as Black, or 3.6%. Ranked amongst the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, West Virginia is #38 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

West Virginia is less Black than neighboring Virginia (18.3% Black), Ohio (12.3% Black), North Carolina (20.2% Black), Pennsylvania (10.5% Black), and District of Columbia (40.9% Black).

West Virginia's Asian Population

14,903 residents of West Virginia identify as Asian, or 0.8%. Ranked amongst the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, West Virginia is #50 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

West Virginia is less Asian than neighboring Virginia (7.1% Asian), Ohio (2.5% Asian), North Carolina (3.3% Asian), Pennsylvania (3.9% Asian), and District of Columbia (4.8% Asian).

West Virginia's Hispanic Population

34,827 residents of West Virginia identify as Hispanic, or 1.9%. Ranked amongst the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, West Virginia is #51 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

West Virginia is less Hispanic than neighboring Virginia (10.5% Hispanic), Ohio (4.4% Hispanic), North Carolina (10.7% Hispanic), Pennsylvania (8.1% Hispanic), and District of Columbia (11.3% Hispanic).

West Virginia's Native American/Other Population

8,268 residents of West Virginia identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.5%. Ranked amongst the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, West Virginia is #51 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

West Virginia is less Native American/Other than neighboring Virginia (0.8% Native American/Other), Ohio (0.6% Native American/Other), North Carolina (1.5% Native American/Other), Pennsylvania (0.6% Native American/Other), and District of Columbia (0.8% Native American/Other).

West Virginia's Multiracial Population

72,135 residents of West Virginia identify as Multiracial, or 4.0%. Ranked amongst the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, West Virginia is #25 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

West Virginia is more Multiracial than neighboring North Carolina (3.9% Multiracial), and Pennsylvania (3.5% Multiracial). West Virginia is less Multiracial than neighboring Virginia (4.7% Multiracial), Ohio (4.3% Multiracial), and District of Columbia (4.3% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.