WVU researcher: state’s population needs a shock

Population loss in West Virginia has been reported for the last two years according to John Deskins, the director of WVU’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. His prediction, after evaluating the numbers, is much of the same down the road.

Deskins said the state would lose around 19,500 people (1.05 percent) between 2010 and 2030.

In recent years, the population loss recorded in West Virginia has been slight, but there’s concern for a continued declining trend in population.

From July 2013 to July 2014, the U.S. Census Bureau reported West Virginia lost 3,269 people (0.2 percent). The year prior, from July 2012 to July 2013, the population loss was recorded as 2,376.

For West Virginia’s business outlook to improve, Deskins said the population in the state needs to be increasing instead of decreasing.

According to studies by the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research, over the last two years the population loss has been due to natural declines as well net out-migration.

Addressing business and population concerns will not take a single state-wide approach said Deskins.

“The state lines are drawn somewhat arbitrarily. What’s happening in one part of the state is completely different from what’s happening in other parts of the state,” said Deskins. “I think it’s crucial that policy makers recognize that that we tailor our economic development strategies to those very significant differences.”

Some areas – such as Morgantown and the eastern panhandle – are still growing healthily in population.