The capital of West Virginia is Charleston.
The Postal Code for West Virginia: WV
The typical abbreviation for West Virginia: W.Va.
Time Zone:
The state of West Virginia is in the Eastern Time (EST/EDT) zone and observes daylight saving time.
| Note: |
Starting in 2007, Daylight Savings Time will be begin 3 weeks earlier and end 1 week later.
Click here for details. |
When the people of West Virginia refer to themselves: West Virginian
Population: According to the 2006 Census estimates, West Virginia has a population of 1,818,470 people.
This represents 0.61% of the national total, making it the 37th most populous state.
The following are population changes since the last Census. The population counts after year 2000 are estimates.
| Year | Population | Change |
| 2006 | 1,818,470 | +0.24% since 2005 |
| 2005 | 1,814,083 | +0.18% since 2004 |
| 2004 | 1,810,906 | +0.12% since 2003 |
| 2003 | 1,808,660 | +0.25% since 2002 |
| 2002 | 1,804,146 | +0.15% since 2001 |
| 2001 | 1,801,411 | -0.38% since 2000 |
| 2000 | 1,808,344 | Last Census Count |
Area:
The area of West Virginia is 24,230 square miles (62,755.41 km²).
This represents 0.64% of the national total.
West Virginia ranks as the 41st largest state.
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Density:
The population density of West Virginia is 75.52 people per square mile (29.16 people/km²).
West Virginia ranks 29th in population density.
Nickname for West Virginia: "The Mountain State"
State Motto: "Montani Semper Liberi" (Mountaineers are always free)
State Bird: Cardinal (cardinalis cardinalis)
State Tree: Sugar Maple (acer saccharum)
State Flower: Big Rhododendron (rhododendron maximum)
State Song: "West Virginia, My Home, Sweet Home", "The West Virginia Hills" or "This Is My West Virginia"
Statehood:
West Virginia became the 35th state on Jun 20, 1863.
Useful State Links
The state website for West Virginia can be found at:
The portal for West Virginia tourism:
For information about West Virginia fishing regulations and licenses requirements:
For information about West Virginia hunting regulations and licenses requirements:
Communities Ranked by Population (Top-15)
 
| Rank | City | 2005
Population | National
Rank |
| 1 | Charleston | 51,176 | |
| 2 | Huntington | 49,198 | |
| 3 | Parkersburg | 32,020 | |
| 4 | Wheeling | 29,639 | |
| 5 | Morgantown | 28,292 | |
| 6 | Weirton | 19,544 | |
| 7 | Fairmont | 19,049 | |
| 8 | Beckley | 16,936 | |
| 9 | Clarksburg | 16,439 | |
| 10 | Martinsburg | 15,996 | |
| 11 | South Charleston | 12,700 | |
| 13 | Saint Albans | 11,105 | |
| 14 | Bluefield | 11,119 | |
| 15 | Vienna | 10,770 | |
Miscellaneous Information
| Census Region: 3 (South) |
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| Census Division: 5 (South Atlantic) |
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| State FIPS-55 Code: 54 |
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| Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Region III / Region 3 |
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| ISO-3166-2 Code: US-WV |
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