Sneaking into West Virginia
The West Virginia Weakly for January 2, 2025
With immigration among the issues at the top of many Americans’ minds ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, data released last month by the U.S. Census Bureau show international migration drove U.S. population gains between 2023 and 2024.
The population grew by nearly 1%, the fastest annual growth rate since 2001.
Sunbelt states saw the most gains. Texas and Florida led the way. In fact, the annual population estimates show the South was the fastest growing region in the country over a period in which most states saw gains — most that is, but three — Vermont, Mississippi and … West Virginia.
If there is any story that defines West Virginia it is population loss. But as West Virginia Public Broadcasting noted in a story published just before Christmas there is a bit of a silver lining in the new Census Bureau data.
The state may have lost more than 500 residents, but West Virginia University economics professor Brad Humphries told WVPB that the new population figures are an improvement and that “we’re not hemorrhaging residents like we were a couple of years ago.”
In other words, migration, both from other states but especially internationally, slowed population loss.
But here’s the rub. Humphries said the state is dependent on migration to boost the number of people living in West Virginia “because the declining birth rate and pretty high death rate … are long-term trends that don’t change easily,” leaving migration as the state’s best bet for the time being.
Persuading enough people to make the move to West Virginia is the trick. And that may hard to do to. The “Hillbilly Highway” used by those who the legendary Richwood newspaperman Jim Comstock called “chickened-out” West Virginians has long been part of the central Appalachian experience.
But to hear Gov. Jim Justice tell it, over the past eight years, his outgoing administration has begun reversing the conditions that force its residents to seek opportuntities elsewhere. For example, in a recent press release touting an additional $75-million in taxpayer support for the Nucor Steel project in Mason County, Justice said, “every single day, people are awakening to the fact that West Virginia, of all places, is the best state to work, live, and raise a family.”
It remains to be seen if enough people agree for West Virginia to start posting population gains.
If there is one thing West Virginia has going for it, it’s the outdoors. And if you want to sneak into the state to poke around, try hiking in.
That’s what my wife and I did on New Year’s Eve.
We drove over to Bluemont, Virginia to hike a section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) known as “The Rollercoaster.” It’s an extremely rocky section of the AT that ascends and descends and ascends and descends and ascends and descends and ascends again before crossing into a remote corner of Jefferson County and out to the Raven Rocks Overlook for spectacular views.
All told, the hike to Raven Rocks and back is more than five miles of up and down drudgery.
It’s strenuous.
It’s exhausting.
My calf muscles are still sore from the exertion.
A guy who prefers to spending his time typing out newsletters on his laptop really has no business attempting it, but the view and the sense of accomplishment make it worth it.
However, if you’re thinking about helping to boost West Virginia’s population, take it from me — Rent a U-Haul.
Sources:
Net international migration drives highest U.S. population growth in decades ~ U.S. Census Bureau press release
What’s slowing Mountain State’s population loss? Immigration ~ Curtis Tate, West Virginia Public Broadcasting