West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Mid-Atlantic regions of the Southern USA. It is bordered by Pennsylvania to the northeast, Maryland to the east and northeast, Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, and Ohio to the northwest. West Virginia is the 38th in population with 1,792,147 inhabitants in 2019. Its capital and largest city is Charleston. Its governor is Jim Justice.
West Virginia has generally a humid subtropical climate, with warm to hot, humid summers and chilly winters. Forests cover more than three-fourths of the state; it’s home to rabbits, squirrels, gray foxes, opossums, skunks, raccoons, and groundhogs.
After the British arrived in the 1600s, the area that now encompasses West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and parts of North Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York was altogether called Virginia. The British drove out the Natives in order to give their lands to the Europeans. At the beginning of the Civil War (1861-1865), West Virginia refused to secede from the Union along with the rest of the state. West Virginia separated from Virginia in 1861, and two years later, it became a state on its own.
West Virginia has an abundance and variety of natural resources, although bituminous coal is the most important. The state’s recoverable coal reserves are estimated varyingly at 2 to 50 billion tons; natural gas dominates the state’s west-central portion. Petroleum is extracted in the northern two-thirds of the gas-producing areas.
West Virginia Statistics
| Number of cities/towns/villages | 232 |
|---|---|
| Number of counties | 55 |
| Population | 1780000 |
| Area | 62756 km² |
| Density | 29 people/km² |
| Altitude | 1482 m |
| Major cities | Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington |
| Ethnicity | White: 93% Black: 4% Hispanic: 2% Asian: 1% |
| Crime rate | 2800 |
| GDP | $78 billion |
| Median household income | $48708 |
Common questions about West Virginia
What is the cheapest place to live in West Virginia?The cheapest area to live in West Virginia, often considered the most affordable, is Buckhannon (WV). Buckhannon features low rental and housing prices compared to other parts of WV, offering a cost-effective lifestyle in the state. |
What is the safest city, town or area in West Virginia?Bridgeport is often recognized as one of the safest cities in West Virginia due to its low crime rate. This city frequently ranks high for safety based on various metrics, providing residents with a secure and peaceful environment. |
What is the city with the best weather in West Virginia?Huntington is considered to have some of the best weather in West Virginia, with relatively mild winters and warm summers. The overall climate is comfortable, with fewer extremes compared to other areas in the state, making it attractive for residents. |
Get the contact information for all cities in this state. Find general information, official websites, email, phone numbers, addresses, and much more.
Complete List of Cities in West Virginia
Click on a city or town to learn more