This is less than a one percent rise in Preston County’s population, from 34,176 in 2020 to 34,358 in 2021.
Preston County had the 15th largest population in West Virginia in 2021.
The US Census Bureau found more than 73 percent of counties in the US saw a natural decrease in population in 2021. This is up from a 55.5 percent increase in 2020.
The Midwest suffered the most sustained population decreases, with many counties along the US East Coast and through the Rocky Mountains seeing increases.
The US population continues to grow, though at a slower rate than before.
West Virginia Counties By Population Change from 2020 to 2021
| County | 2020 Estimated Population | 2021 Estimated Population | % Change in Population From Year to Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley County | 122,654 | 126,069 | 2.8% |
| Jefferson County | 57,732 | 58,370 | 1.1% |
| Morgan County | 17,037 | 17,221 | 1.1% |
| Hampshire County | 23,067 | 23,302 | 1% |
| Preston County | 34,176 | 34,358 | 0.5% |
| Monongalia County | 105,916 | 106,387 | 0.4% |
| Grant County | 10,954 | 10,983 | 0.3% |
| Barbour County | 15,440 | 15,468 | 0.2% |
| Pendleton County | 6,134 | 6,142 | 0.1% |
| Upshur County | 23,783 | 23,791 | 0% |
| Monroe County | 12,330 | 12,332 | 0% |
| Jackson County | 27,735 | 27,738 | 0% |
| Gilmer County | 7,378 | 7,377 | 0% |
| Summers County | 11,915 | 11,908 | -0.1% |
| Mineral County | 26,877 | 26,857 | -0.1% |
| Pocahontas County | 7,847 | 7,841 | -0.1% |
| Randolph County | 27,852 | 27,806 | -0.2% |
| Putnam County | 57,399 | 57,260 | -0.2% |
| Marion County | 56,157 | 56,001 | -0.3% |
| Calhoun County | 6,199 | 6,176 | -0.4% |
| Wood County | 83,996 | 83,624 | -0.4% |
| Ritchie County | 8,424 | 8,383 | -0.5% |
| Hardy County | 14,240 | 14,160 | -0.6% |
| Roane County | 13,977 | 13,898 | -0.6% |
| Mercer County | 59,462 | 59,097 | -0.6% |
| Pleasants County | 7,649 | 7,601 | -0.6% |
| Doddridge County | 7,786 | 7,735 | -0.7% |
| Lewis County | 17,009 | 16,892 | -0.7% |
| Cabell County | 94,137 | 93,418 | -0.8% |
| Raleigh County | 74,349 | 73,771 | -0.8% |
| Mason County | 25,356 | 25,157 | -0.8% |
| Greenbrier County | 32,866 | 32,608 | -0.8% |
| Wayne County | 38,830 | 38,498 | -0.9% |
| Nicholas County | 24,523 | 24,300 | -0.9% |
| Harrison County | 65,771 | 65,158 | -0.9% |
| Webster County | 8,329 | 8,249 | -1% |
| Lincoln County | 20,337 | 20,126 | -1% |
| Fayette County | 40,358 | 39,927 | -1.1% |
| Marshall County | 30,444 | 30,115 | -1.1% |
| Braxton County | 12,386 | 12,247 | -1.1% |
| Ohio County | 42,264 | 41,776 | -1.2% |
| Kanawha County | 180,048 | 177,952 | -1.2% |
| Tucker County | 6,752 | 6,672 | -1.2% |
| Hancock County | 29,019 | 28,656 | -1.3% |
| Taylor County | 16,701 | 16,492 | -1.3% |
| Wyoming County | 21,326 | 21,051 | -1.3% |
| Clay County | 8,006 | 7,892 | -1.4% |
| Brooke County | 22,469 | 22,140 | -1.5% |
| Wetzel County | 14,382 | 14,170 | -1.5% |
| Tyler County | 8,279 | 8,155 | -1.5% |
| Logan County | 32,473 | 31,909 | -1.7% |
| Boone County | 21,714 | 21,312 | -1.9% |
| Mingo County | 23,455 | 23,005 | -1.9% |
| Wirt County | 5,183 | 5,063 | -2.3% |
| McDowell County | 18,916 | 18,363 | -2.9% |
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