County facts · Population growth · October 24, 2026

Fastest Growing Counties in West Virginia, 2020 to 2025

West Virginia's fastest growing counties by percent and by people added, April 2020 to July 2025 Census estimates, with each official parcel map.

Looking for the fastest growing counties in West Virginia? From the Census Bureau's April 1, 2020 estimates base to its July 1, 2025 estimate, West Virginia went from about 1,793,759 to 1,766,147 residents, a change of −27,612 (−1.5%). The fastest growing county by percentage was Berkeley County (+14.3%), and it also added the most people (+17,449).

Each table links the county's Platbookmapper page and its official parcel viewer, so you can go from the growth numbers straight to the property lines.

West Virginia growth at a glance

• Counties: 55
• Statewide, April 2020 to July 2025: −27,612 residents (−1.5%); July 2024 to July 2025 alone: −1,255 (−0.1%)
• Grew: 8 of 55 · Lost residents: 47
• Fastest growing by percent: Berkeley County (+14.3%); most people added: Berkeley County (+17,449)
• Counties with more deaths than births over the period: 53 of 55

The 8 West Virginia counties that grew

Only 8 of West Virginia's 55 counties had more residents in July 2025 than in April 2020. Ranked by percent:

These 8 added about 27,220 people combined. The median county changed by −3.8%. By people added, the leader was Berkeley County (+17,449).

Where the new residents came from

The Census Bureau splits each change into natural change (births minus deaths), net domestic migration (moves from other parts of the US) and net international migration. Totals for April 2020 to July 2025 in the five fastest growing counties:

In 4 of these 5, moves from elsewhere in the US were the biggest source of growth. The three parts do not add up exactly to the total because the Census Bureau also carries a small residual.

The last year alone: July 2024 to July 2025

1. Jefferson County: +3.0% (+1,813)
2. Berkeley County: +2.6% (+3,532)
3. Hampshire County: +1.4% (+337)
4. Morgan County: +1.2% (+221)
5. Calhoun County: +0.8% (+47)

4 of these 5 also grew over the full April 2020 to July 2025 period.

Counties losing residents

47 of West Virginia's 55 counties had fewer residents in July 2025 than in April 2020. The steepest declines:

• McDowell County: −11.7% (−2,245, now about 16,878)
• Mingo County: −9.0% (−2,117, now about 21,455)
• Wyoming County: −7.4% (−1,586, now about 19,801)
• Webster County: −7.4% (−617, now about 7,760)
• Boone County: −7.2% (−1,560, now about 20,251)

What fast growth means on a parcel map

• New lots show up as plats first. When land is subdivided, the plat is recorded with the county and the parcel layer catches up on its own schedule, so a brand-new lot may not appear on the map for a while. Check the recorder's recent plats if a parcel looks missing.
• Parcel numbers change after splits. A tract that was one parcel last year can be several today. Search by owner name or address as well as by an old parcel number.
• City limits move. Growing cities annex land, which changes who handles zoning and permits even though the county still keeps the deed and the tax map.
• Percent is not the same as people. A small county can post a big percentage on a modest number of new residents, so read the people-added column too.

Related guides

• Largest counties in West Virginia
• West Virginia county GIS websites by viewer
• West Virginia landowner maps for hunting
• Fastest growing counties in the US
• US counties losing population

More: All West Virginia counties on Platbookmapper

Sources

• U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, county totals, Vintage 2025 (April 1, 2020 estimates base and July 1, 2020–2025 estimates, with components of change). Percent change is from the April 1, 2020 estimates base to the July 1, 2025 estimate.
• Platbookmapper county GIS directory (live data file behind our county pages, pulled October 24, 2026) for each official parcel viewer.