West Virginia, the Mountain State


Land area: 24,087 sq. mi. (41)
Population (2020): 1,793,716 (39), down 3.20% since 2010
Population density: 74.47 per sq. mi. (29)
U.S. Representatives (2023-32): 2, down 1 from 2013-22
Entered Union: 20-Jun-1863 (35)

It’s enjoyable even to drive West Virginia on the freeways, because you’re passing through some pretty territory. In 2000, I finally got to do some exploration away from the interstates, including parts of the Midland Trail from Charleston to White Sulphur Springs and the Falls of Hills Creek. The Mountain State is deserving of its slogan: Wild and Wonderful. Maybe John Denver had it right when he called it “almost heaven”.

No. of Counties I’ve Visited: 55 of 55

County Pop. (2020)     Latest Visit   County Seat Visited?
Barbour15,4659-Oct-2021Philippiyes
Berkeley122,07611-Jul-2023Martinsburgyes
Boone21,8095-Jul-2003Madison
Braxton12,44724-Nov-2021Sutton
Brooke22,5592-Oct-2021Wellsburg
Cabell94,35025-Nov-2022Huntingtonyes
Calhoun6,2299-Oct-2021Grantsvilleyes
Clay8,05124-Nov-2021Clay
Doddridge7,8083-Jul-2016West Unionyes
Fayette40,48823-Nov-2021Fayettevilleyes
Gilmer7,4089-Oct-2021Glenvilleyes
Grant10,97624-Jun-2022Petersburgyes
Greenbrier32,97719-Sep-2021Lewisburgyes
Hampshire23,0932-Aug-2020Romneyyes
Hancock29,0952-Oct-2021New Cumberland
Hardy14,29924-Jun-2022Moorefieldyes
Harrison65,92124-Nov-2021Clarksburgyes
Jackson27,79125-Nov-2022Ripleyyes
Jefferson57,70126-Aug-2007Charles Townyes
Kanawha180,74525-Nov-2022Charlestonyes
Lewis17,03324-Nov-2021Westonyes
Lincoln20,46325-Nov-2022Hamlinyes
Logan32,56716-Aug-2012Logan
McDowell19,11123-Nov-2022Welchyes
Marion56,20524-Nov-2021Fairmontyes
Marshall30,5918-Oct-2021Moundsvilleyes
Mason25,45323-Nov-2022Point Pleasantyes
Mercer59,66423-Nov-2021Princetonyes
Mineral26,9382-Aug-2020Keyseryes
Mingo23,56823-Nov-2022Williamsonyes
Monongalia105,82224-Nov-2021Morgantownyes
Monroe12,3761-Aug-2020Unionyes
Morgan17,0635-Sep-2016Berkeley Springsyes
Nicholas24,60429-Nov-2002Summersvilleyes
Ohio42,4258-Oct-2021Wheelingyes
Pendleton6,1439-Oct-2021Franklinyes
Pleasants7,65328-Dec-1996St. Marysyes
Pocahontas7,8698-Oct-2021Merlintonyes
Preston34,21624-Jun-2022Kingwood
Putnam57,44025-Nov-2022Winfieldyes
Raleigh74,59123-Nov-2021Beckleyyes
Randolph27,9329-Oct-2021Elkinsyes
Ritchie8,4443-Jul-2016Harrisvilleyes
Roane14,02824-Nov-2021Spenceryes
Summers11,9592-Jul-2016Hinton
Taylor16,7051-Aug-2020Graftonyes
Tucker6,76224-Jun-2022Parsonsyes
Tyler8,31328-Dec-1996Middlebourne
Upshur23,8169-Oct-2021Buckhannonyes
Wayne38,98225-Nov-2022Wayneyes
Webster8,37829-Nov-2002Webster Springsyes
Wetzel14,4428-Oct-2021New Martinsvilleyes
Wirt5,1946-Jul-2003Elizabethyes
Wood84,29625-Nov-2022Parkersburgyes
Wyoming21,38223-Nov-2022Pinevilleyes

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