West Virginia 2019
According to Countryaah.com, the largest city in West Virginia is Charleston, which has a population of 50,404. It is located in the southwestern part of the state and is home to a number of universities and colleges, including West Virginia State University and Marshall University. The city also features several museums, parks, and historical sites such as the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences and Capitol Market.
The second largest city in West Virginia is Huntington with a population of 47,929. Located on the Ohio River near the border with Ohio, Huntington was established in 1871. It is known for its vibrant music scene as well as its outdoor recreation activities such as kayaking and fishing. Huntington also features several monuments and attractions such as Ritter Park and Camden Park amusement park.
Politics of West Virginia in 2019
West Virginia’s politics in 2019 have been largely dominated by the Republican Party. In the 2018 midterm elections, Republicans held all three US House seats and both US Senate seats. This was a continuation of the trend from recent years, as Republicans have held at least one of West Virginia’s US House seats since 1983 and both US Senate seats since 2015.
In 2019, West Virginia saw a number of contentious debates on issues such as healthcare reform, gun control, abortion rights, and taxation. In April 2019, Governor Jim Justice signed legislation to expand Medicaid coverage in the state under the Affordable Care Act. This was a major victory for Democratic lawmakers who had long advocated for Medicaid expansion in West Virginia. The move has been seen as an important step towards reducing health disparities in rural areas of the state where access to health care is often limited or nonexistent.
The debate over gun control has been particularly heated in West Virginia in recent years. In April 2019, Governor Justice signed legislation which extends background checks for gun purchases and prohibits certain types of firearms from being sold to individuals under 21 years old. This move was met with strong opposition from Second Amendment advocates who argued that it infringed on their right to bear arms.
Abortion rights have also been hotly contested in West Virginia politics this year. In February 2019, Governor Justice signed legislation that would prohibit most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless there is a medical emergency or severe fetal abnormality present; this was met with strong opposition from pro-choice groups who argued that it would limit women’s reproductive rights and access to safe abortion services.
Taxation has also been a major issue this year as Governor Justice has proposed increasing taxes on tobacco products to help fund public education initiatives; However, this proposal has yet to be approved by the state legislature.
Population of West Virginia in 2019
According to allunitconverters, West Virginia is a state located in the Appalachian region of the United States. In 2019, it had an estimated population of 1,792,147 people. The majority of West Virginians (78%) identify as white, while 14% identify as African American and 4% identify as Hispanic or Latino. The state has a relatively young population with a median age of 41.9 years old and 22% of residents under the age of 18.
West Virginia has an urban-rural divide with over half (56%) of its population living in rural areas. The largest cities in the state are Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Morgantown and Wheeling. The majority (69%) of West Virginians live in households headed by married couples while 24% live in households headed by single parents.
The economy in West Virginia is largely based on natural resources such as coal and timber, although there is also a significant manufacturing sector which produces chemicals and other industrial products. Tourism is also an important industry for the state with its many outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, rafting and skiing drawing visitors from all over the country.
West Virginians are known for their strong sense of community and their commitment to helping others in need. This is reflected in the high levels of volunteering among residents; nearly 40% report having done volunteer work within the past year. West Virginians are also very religious with 70% identifying as belonging to a Christian denomination; However, there is also a small but growing Muslim community in certain parts of the state which has been steadily increasing since 2000 due to immigration from other countries such as Somalia and Iraq. See liuxers for school codes in West Virginia.
Economy of West Virginia in 2019
The economy of West Virginia in 2019 is largely based on natural resources, such as coal and timber, with the mining industry accounting for a significant portion of the state’s GDP. Manufacturing is also an important sector in the state, producing chemicals and other industrial products. Tourism is also an important industry for West Virginia due to its many outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, rafting and skiing.
West Virginia has a relatively low unemployment rate of 4.3%, which is lower than the national average. The median household income was $44,097 in 2019, slightly below the national average of $50,297. The poverty rate in West Virginia was 17% in 2019, higher than the national average of 13%. The largest employment sectors are trade, transportation and utilities; education and health services; government; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; manufacturing; construction; financial activities; information technology and other services.
West Virginia’s economy is heavily dependent on federal government spending. In 2019, federal spending accounted for more than 20% of all wages paid in the state. West Virginians also receive significant benefits from federal programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid which help to reduce poverty rates in the state.
West Virginians are known for their commitment to helping others in need through volunteer work or donations to charitable organizations. This spirit of giving has helped to create a strong sense of community among residents that helps to drive economic growth throughout the state.
Events Held in West Virginia in 2019
West Virginia hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, ranging from cultural festivals to outdoor activities. In 2019, some of the most popular events included the annual West Virginia State Fair in Fairlea, which featured rides, entertainment and agricultural exhibits; the Mountain Music Festival in Fayetteville featuring traditional mountain music; and the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Birding Festival which celebrated West Virginia’s birding opportunities.
The Greenbrier Classic golf tournament was held at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. This PGA Tour event attracts thousands of spectators each year to watch some of the world’s top golfers compete for a $7 million purse.
The Taste of West Virginia Food Festival is held annually in Charleston and showcases local foods from across the state. This event features cooking demonstrations, local craft beers and wines, live music and activities for children.
The New River Gorge Bridge Day is an annual event held on the third Saturday in October each year that celebrates one of West Virginia’s most iconic landmarks with activities such as live music, food vendors and bridge jumping competitions.
The Vandalia Gathering is an annual celebration of Appalachian culture that has been held in Charleston since 1974. This event features traditional music performances, craft demonstrations and Appalachian storytelling sessions as well as food vendors offering regional dishes such as pepperoni rolls and hot dogs with barbecue sauce.
Finally, The Feast Of St Patrick is an annual Irish-American celebration held in Wheeling every March that includes live Celtic music performances, Irish dance competitions and authentic Irish cuisine served by local restaurants.
