West Virginia: elevation, cities and highest point
West Virginia has 1,766,147 people (2025) and 55 counties. Its highest point is Spruce Knob, at 4,863 ft, and its lowest, the Potomac River, at 240 ft. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 1,766,147
- The 39th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 24,041 sq mi
- The 41st largest state
- Counties
- 55
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- 240 ft
- Potomac River
Map of West Virginia’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Charleston, sits at 596 ft (182 m): the 23rd highest of the 50 state capitals. West Virginia’s highest point, Spruce Knob, is 116 mi away in a straight line and 4,267 ft higher.
Between its highest point (4,863 ft) and its lowest (240 ft) there’s 4,623 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, West Virginia’s is the 24th highest.
West Virginia borders 5 states. Their highest points are Campbell Hill, in Ohio (1,550 ft), Hoye-Crest, in Maryland (3,360 ft), Mount Rogers, in Virginia (5,729 ft), Black Mountain, in Kentucky (4,145 ft), and Mount Davis, in Pennsylvania (3,213 ft): West Virginia’s is the 2nd highest of the 6. Their capitals: Columbus (780 ft), Annapolis (44 ft), Richmond (213 ft), Frankfort (504 ft), and Harrisburg (334 ft).
- Spruce Knob 4,863 ft
- Charleston 596 ft
Population
West Virginia had 1,766,147 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 1.5% fewer than in April 2020 (1,793,759). Across 24,041 sq mi of land, that’s 73 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Charleston, with 46,117 people, which is also the capital. The Census counts 439 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in West Virginia.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 46,117 | 31.4 sq mi | 596 ft |
| Huntington | 44,815 | 16.5 sq mi | — |
| Morgantown | 30,293 | 10.2 sq mi | — |
| Parkersburg | 28,593 | 11.8 sq mi | — |
| Wheeling | 25,680 | 13.6 sq mi | — |
| Martinsburg | 19,211 | 6.63 sq mi | — |
| Weirton | 18,133 | 18.0 sq mi | — |
| Fairmont | 18,035 | 8.60 sq mi | — |
| Beckley | 16,373 | 9.50 sq mi | — |
| Clarksburg | 15,562 | 10.4 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in West Virginia?
Spruce Knob, at 4,863 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 24th highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in West Virginia?
The Potomac River, at 240 ft, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Charleston, the capital?
596 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 23rd highest state capital.
How many counties does West Virginia have?
55, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know