Poverty Rate in West Virginia
ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
Poverty Rate
16.7% +32.6% vs nat'l
Rank #48 of 52
How West Virginia Compares
West Virginia
16.7%
National
12.6%
32.6% above
State Ranking
| Rank | State | Value |
|---|---|---|
| #45 | Alabama | 15.6% |
| #46 | Arkansas | 16.0% |
| #47 | Kentucky | 16.1% |
| #48 | West Virginia | 16.7% |
| #49 | New Mexico | 17.8% |
| #50 | Mississippi | 18.9% |
| #51 | Louisiana | 18.9% |
Highest Poverty Counties in West Virginia
| # | County | Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jefferson County | 8.7% |
| 2 | Putnam County | 10.6% |
| 3 | Berkeley County | 11.1% |
| 4 | Morgan County | 11.2% |
| 5 | Pleasants County | 11.6% |
| 6 | Hampshire County | 13.1% |
| 7 | Brooke County | 13.1% |
| 8 | Grant County | 13.3% |
| 9 | Marion County | 13.6% |
| 10 | Preston County | 13.8% |
Lowest Poverty Counties in West Virginia
| # | County | Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | McDowell County | 34.2% |
| 54 | Calhoun County | 32.9% |
| 53 | Mingo County | 32.4% |
| 52 | Clay County | 26.4% |
| 51 | Summers County | 23.8% |
| 50 | Webster County | 23.3% |
| 49 | Lincoln County | 23.2% |
| 48 | Raleigh County | 22.8% |
| 47 | Wyoming County | 22.6% |
| 46 | Pocahontas County | 22.5% |
Poverty Rate in West Virginia
West Virginia has a poverty rate of 16.7%, ranking #48 of 52 among all 52 states and territories. This is 32.6% above the national value of 12.6%.
Across West Virginia's 55 counties, poverty rate ranges from 34.2% to 8.7%. The county with the highest value is Jefferson County at 8.7%.
Percentage of the population living below the federal poverty line.
About this data
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). All values are estimates derived from survey samples and are subject to margin of error. For more information, see our methodology.