From 2010 to 2020, West Virginia lost a higher percentage of its population than any other US state, according to new dataLinks to an external site. from the US Census Bureau. In 2010, the population of the Mountain State stood at 1.85 million, but by 2020, that number had declined to 1.79 million people. The population loss of 3.2%, or roughly 59,000 people, made the state one of only seven others across the country that are set to lose a congressional district following the 2020 Census. According to the Associated PressLinks to an external site., some of the main reasons cited for West Virginia's population loss are a lack of economic opportunity, low pay, the state's political climate, and poor cell phone and internet service. From 2010 to 2020, West Virginia lost a higher percentage of its population than any other US state, according to new dataLinks to an external site. from the US Census Bureau. In 2010, the population of the Mountain State stood at 1.85 million, but by 2020, that number had declined to 1.79 million people. The population loss of 3.2%, or roughly 59,000 people, made the state one of only seven others across the country that are set to lose a congressional district following the 2020 Census. According to the Associated PressLinks to an external site., some of the main reasons cited for West Virginia's population loss are a lack of economic opportunity, low pay, the state's political climate, and poor cell phone and internet service. The poverty rate in West Virginia is 16%, which is higher than the national average. In 2019, the national poverty rate was 10.5%, according to the Census BureauLinks to an external site.. The Census data revealedLinks to an external site. that from 2015 to 2019, only 76% of the state's households had broadband internet subscriptions. In an attempt to stem further population losses, West Virginia officials are targetingLinks to an external site. remote workers who move to the state with $12,000 incentives, along with complimentary passes for recreational dest
