West Virginia’s median household income of $54k ranks 49th in nation
By Matthew Young, RealWV
In recent weeks, RealWV has been examining West Virginia’s national rankings within various categories.
Thus far, we have explored the state’s SAT scores, firearm death and overdose rates, infrastructure, attractivity to business, and overall happiness – all of which are among the worst in the nation.
Our previous reporting can be viewed here:
- Report shows West Virginia to be the ‘least happy’ state in the nation
- New study shows West Virginia to be among the worst states for infrastructure, attractivity to business
- Research shows West Virginia has lowest SAT scores in the nation, higher firearm death rate than New York and Illinois
A July 29 report from How Stuff Works’ Marie Look, shows that West Virginia continues to be among the poorest states in the nation, as well. In fact, with a 2022 median household income of $54,329, West Virginia is the country’s second poorest state, behind only Mississippi. Rounding out the top five poorest states are Louisiana, Arkansas, and Kentucky – all with a median household income of less than $60,000 per year.
According to Cook’s research, West Virginia’s median household income was just $40,196 in 2012. And while that number increased by an average of more than $14,000 in the subsequent 10-year period that followed, the Mountain State actually dropped from forty-eighth poorest, to forty-ninth. Furthermore, americanprogress.org reports that West Virginia’s 17.94% poverty rate ranks the state 49th in that category, as well.
Further evidence of West Virginia’s lack of financial affluence is the absence of any billionaires residing within the state. According to the 2024 Forbes’ annual World Billionaire’s Report, West Virginia – along with Alaska, Alabama, Delaware, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Vermont – can not claim any of the nation’s 756 billionaires as residents.
