PlainCities

Ranking · West Virginia

Fastest-growing and fastest-shrinking places in West Virginia

Charles Town has the highest population change, 2020 to 2025 of West Virginia's 102 ranked places (+42.8%); Williamson has the lowest (−10.7%). Ranked: places with 1,000 or more residents in the 2020 Census that are incorporated (the Census Bureau estimates only those each year).

Which are the fastest-growing places?

Fastest-growing places in West Virginia, first to fifth: Charles Town (+42.8%), Ranson corporation (+25.8%), Hurricane (+6.0%), Moorefield (+5.1%) and Westover (+3.0%).

Fastest-growing places in West Virginia, by population change, 2020 to 2025.
RankPlaceTypePopulation change, 2020 to 2025ResidentsCounty
1 Charles Towncity +42.8% 9,329Jefferson County
2 Ranson corporationmunicipality +25.8% 6,853Jefferson County
3 Hurricanecity +6.0% 7,367Putnam County
4 Moorefieldtown +5.1% 2,655Hardy County
5 Westovercity +3.0% 4,086Monongalia County
6 Martinsburgcity +2.5% 19,211Berkeley County
7 Bridgeportcity +2.0% 9,427Harrison County
8 Star Citytown +1.5% 1,795Monongalia County
9 Granvilletown +1.4% 1,362Monongalia County
10 Morgantowncity +0.8% 30,293Monongalia County
11 Belingtontown +0.1% 1,809Barbour County
12 Romneycity −0.1% 1,767Hampshire County
13 Petersburgcity −0.1% 2,282Grant County
14 Shepherdstowntown −0.5% 1,522Jefferson County
15 Terra Altatown −0.6% 1,413Preston County
16 Philippicity −1.0% 2,846Barbour County
17 Pleasant Valleycity −1.1% 3,457Marion County
18 Barrackvilletown −1.2% 1,196Marion County
19 Kingwoodcity −1.5% 2,937Preston County
20 Ripleycity −1.5% 3,038Jackson County
21 West Libertytown −1.5% 1,429Ohio County
22 Buffalotown −1.6% 1,185Putnam County
23 Ravenswoodcity −1.7% 3,790Jackson County
24 Keysercity −1.9% 4,777Mineral County
25 Fairmontcity −2.1% 18,035Marion County

Source: Census Bureau population estimates, Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025) · Census population estimates

Which are the fastest-shrinking places?

Fastest-shrinking places in West Virginia, first to fifth: Williamson (−10.7%), Mullens (−8.7%), Logan (−8.6%), Chapmanville (−8.2%) and Madison (−7.8%).

Fastest-shrinking places in West Virginia, by population change, 2020 to 2025.
RankPlaceTypePopulation change, 2020 to 2025ResidentsCounty
102 Williamsoncity −10.7% 2,753Mingo County
101 Mullenscity −8.7% 1,336Wyoming County
100 Logancity −8.6% 1,312Logan County
99 Chapmanvilletown −8.2% 936Logan County
98 Madisoncity −7.8% 2,678Boone County
97 Oceanatown −7.4% 1,382Wyoming County
96 Wellsburgcity −7.4% 2,255Brooke County
95 Harrisvilletown −7.2% 1,511Ritchie County
94 Hamlintown −7.2% 968Lincoln County
93 Mount Hopecity −7.1% 1,234Fayette County
92 Glenvilletown −6.8% 1,047Gilmer County
91 Spencercity −6.7% 1,895Roane County
90 Oak Hillcity −6.6% 7,629Fayette County
89 Pennsborocity −6.5% 987Ritchie County
88 Follansbeecity −6.4% 2,668Brooke County
87 Paden Citycity −6.4% 2,381Wetzel County and 1 more
86 Ceredocity −6.3% 1,318Wayne County
85 Welchcity −6.3% 3,389McDowell County
84 Sistersvillecity −6.3% 1,319Tyler County
83 Kenovacity −6.1% 2,841Wayne County
82 Belletown −6.1% 1,088Kanawha County
81 Montgomerycity −6.1% 1,186Fayette County and 1 more
80 Fayettevilletown −6.0% 2,721Fayette County
79 St. Albanscity −6.0% 10,210Kanawha County
78 Benwoodcity −6.0% 1,196Marshall County

Source: Census Bureau population estimates, Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025) · Census population estimates

How is this ranking made?

Each place's population change, 2020 to 2025 is read from the Census Bureau's April 1, 2020 estimates base and its July 1, 2025 estimate. A place enters the ranking if it had 1,000 or more residents in the 2020 Census and is incorporated. Ties in the published figure share a rank. This is a measurement of one figure, not a judgment of a place.

Source: PlainCities ranking method applied to the Census Bureau population estimates, Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025) · How ranks are computed

How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections