West Virginia’s population leaned heavily towards the 55 to 59 years demographic, according to U.S. Census Bureau data obtained by Mountain State Times.
There were 124,666 individuals or 6.9% of the population falling within this age bracket.
The state registered a median age of 43, outpacing the national average of 38 in 2021.
Data also showed that women had a longer life expectancy than men, with 1.4% of women population over the age of 84 in comparison to 0.7% of men. To provide a broader perspective, the U.S. recorded 1.2% of women in the same age bracket nationwide.
According to the 2021 census, the median age varied across different ethnicities in the state. The average white resident in West Virginia is 44 years old, while African Americans have a median age of 38 years old. The Asian population averages 37 years old, and Hispanics had an average of 28 years old.
West Virginia’s total population stood at 1,801,049 individuals in 2021.
OurWorldinData.org, an online project tracking global data and trends, says cities, states, countries and continents with higher median ages typically do better economically and residents earn higher wages than developing countries.
The median age of a United States resident has risen from 29.5-years-old in 1960 to 38.4-years-old in 2019. It has risen fairly consistently by two years every decade since the 1970’s.
An agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, the Census Bureau is responsible for compiling statistical facts about the American people, places and economy. Data for this story was compiled from the bureau’s American Community Survey. Information from the survey helps to determine how federal and state funds are distributed. These funds significantly influence community services, education, and infrastructure in areas like West Virginia.
| Age | Estimated Number | % of Overall Population |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 93,223 | 5.2% |
| 5 to 9 years | 100,375 | 5.6% |
| 10 to 14 years | 108,080 | 6% |
| 15 to 17 years | 64,817 | 3.6% |
| 18 and 19 years | 45,706 | 2.5% |
| 20 years | 23,932 | 1.3% |
| 21 years | 23,861 | 1.3% |
| 22 to 24 years | 63,141 | 3.5% |
| 25 to 29 years | 107,858 | 6% |
| 30 to 34 years | 103,066 | 5.7% |
| 35 to 39 years | 106,922 | 5.9% |
| 40 to 44 years | 111,083 | 6.2% |
| 45 to 49 years | 114,703 | 6.4% |
| 50 to 54 years | 117,969 | 6.6% |
| 55 to 59 years | 124,666 | 6.9% |
| 60 and 61 years | 52,816 | 2.9% |
| 62 to 64 years | 79,956 | 4.4% |
| 65 and 66 years | 50,806 | 2.8% |
| 67 to 69 years | 71,652 | 4% |
| 70 to 74 years | 95,268 | 5.3% |
| 75 to 79 years | 62,967 | 3.5% |
| 80 to 84 years | 39,571 | 2.2% |
| 85 years and over | 38,611 | 2.1% |
Source: US Census Bureau
