WV PREDICTED TO LOSE POPULATION THROUGH 2030 - A State With Aging Population

(04/02/2014)

The WVU's Bureau of Business and Economic Research says WV (and Calhoun County) will continue to have a declining population through 2030. U.S. Census Bureau reported last week that deaths outpaced births by 1,000 in the Mountain State last year. West Virginia has the country's second highest concentration of older residents with 16 percent of the population 65 or older. The report projected the share of the state's population over 65 will grow to about 23 percent by 2030. "A declining and aging population is one of our key long-run economic concerns in West Virginia. A smaller working-age population may mean that fewer businesses would consider locating in the state since a smaller potential workforce would be available" said Dr. John Deskins, co-author of the study. The report predicted continued strong growth in the Eastern Panhandle and Monongalia County. The Census Bureau's report last week that 41 counties have population declines. Continued population losses could cost the state one of its three U.S. House seats in the 2020 reapportionment. See MOST WV COUNTIES HAVE POPULATION DECLINE IN 2013 - Census Bureau Says Calhoun Has Declining Population

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