West Virginia, is often referred to as the "Mountain State" due to its landscape being largely covered by the Appalachian Mountains.[1] West Virginia spans an estimated 24,230 square miles (62,755 square kilometers), making it the 10th-smallest state in the United States.[2] As of 2020, the state had a population of approximately 1.79 million residents.[3]
West Virginia’s economy ranks 42nd in size among states and Washington, DC.[4] In the 3rd quarter of 2023, the real GDP growth rate for West Virginia was 3.7% per year.[4] West Virginia is known for its diverse manufacturing sector which includes chemicals, biotech/pharmaceuticals, primary metals, automotive components, fabricated products, wood products, and more.[5] The state is also known for its agricultural products such as beef cattle, broilers, corn, soybeans, and vegetables.[6]
In terms of attractions, West Virginia is home to stunning natural features like the Blackwater Falls State Park, and cities like Charleston and Morgantown[7] offer a variety of cultural and historical attractions. The state’s rich history, cultural heritage, and outdoor adventure opportunities make it a unique destination. The Monongahela National Forest and Seneca Rocks include over 900,000 acres of land and the Seneca Rocks are one of the best-known landmarks in West Virginia. New River Gorge National Park's 53-mile stretch of the New River (ironically one of the oldest rivers in the world) is famous for whitewater rafting. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is celebrated for one of the earliest events of the U.S. Civil War; John Brown's Raid on the armory.
Research your ancestors on MyHeritage
History of West VirginiaHistory of West Virginia
The first European explorers found only a few natives in present West Virginia.[8] Explorer John Lederer, a German physician interested in trading with the Indians, was the first European to journey into the mountains of Virginia.[9] The first white settlement in present-day West Virginia probably began with the first German settlers at Mecklenburg (present-day Shepherdstown) in 1727.[10]
West Virginia was officially admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863.[11] The statehood was approved in a referendum and a state constitution was drawn up. In April 1863,[12] U.S. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the admission of West Virginia into the Union effective June 20, 1863.[12]
West Virginia was formed out of western Virginia and added to the Union as a direct result of the American Civil War.[13] Some 50,000 West Virginians are believed to have participated in the American Civil War, including 32,000 for the Union and 18,000 for the Confederacy.[13] Confederate forces occupied a portion of West Virginia during the war, but West Virginian statehood was nonetheless approved.[12]
The industrialization of West Virginia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries attracted enormous capital into the state’s railroads, timber, coal, and other industries.[14] This industrialization dramatically altered the size and composition of the population.[14] However, since the mid-20th century, West Virginia has experienced population declines due in large part to its citizens leaving for opportunities elsewhere.[15]
Demographics of West VirginiaDemographics of West Virginia
The demographic distribution of the West Virginia population is as follows:[16]
- White: 92.08%
- Black or African American: 3.39%
- Two or more races: 3.08%
- Asian: 0.77%
- Other race: 0.53%
- Native American: 0.11%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.04%
Most common surnames in West VirginiaMost common surnames in West Virginia
Researching family history in West VirginiaResearching family history in West Virginia
The National Archives at Philadelphia has federal and court records for Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The West Virginia Archives and History has original manuscripts, biographies, county histories, and tax records, family folders, birth, marriages, deaths, maps, naturalizations, newspapers, periodicals, photos, directories, and county court records. The Charles C. Wise Library has the largest collection of West Virginia-related research material.
State county listState county list
There are 55 counties in West Virginia.
| Barbour | Berkeley | Boone | Braxton |
| Brooke | Cabell | Calhoun | Clay |
| Doddridge | Fayette | Gilmer | Grant |
| Greenbrier | Hampshire | Hancock | Hardy |
| Harrison | Jackson | Jefferson | Kanawha |
| Lewis | Lincoln | Logan | McDowell |
| Marion | Marshall | Mason | Mercer |
| Mineral | Mingo | Monongalia | Monroe |
| Morgan | Nicholas | Ohio | Pendleton |
| Pleasants | Pocahontas | Preston | Putnam |
| Raleigh | Randolph | Ritchie | Roane |
| Summers | Taylor | Tucker | Tyler |
| Upshur | Wayne | Webster | Wetzel |
| Wirt | Wood | Wyoming |
See alsoSee also
Explore more about West VirginiaExplore more about West Virginia
MyHeritage.com has 29 valuable genealogical collections including West Virginia, Deaths, West Virginia Births, 1853-1921, West Virginia Marriages, and West Virginia Newspapers, 1930-2009. There are other important collections available from the West Virginia Collection Catalog.
References
- ↑ 7 Nicknames for West Virginia You Should Know
- ↑ How big is West Virginia? | Scale of the Universe
- ↑ West Virginia Population Declined 3.2% From 2010 to 2020
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Economy of West Virginia Statistics and Data Trends: GDP ranking, unemployment rate, and economic growth | USAFacts
- ↑ Manufacturing | West Virginia Department of Economic Development Website
- ↑ West Virginia's Top 10 Ag Products (Infographic)
- ↑ Morgantown, WV | Official Website (morgantownwv.gov)
- ↑ e-WV | History of West Virginia
- ↑ e-WV | John Lederer
- ↑ Early Settlement
- ↑ West Virginia Statehood, June 20, 1863
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 West Virginia enters the Union | June 20, 1863
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 West Virginia in the American Civil War | Britannica
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 e-WV | Labor History
- ↑ The Where and the How of West Virginia's Population Decline
- ↑ West Virginia Population 2024 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)
- ↑ Most Common Surnames in West Virginia, With Meanings