West Virginia economic rankings are a mixed bag again, latest digest shows
September 15, 2025
The West Virginia Campaign for Jobs 2025 Digest shows where the state lands on a series of key business metrics. The report produced by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce report tracks the state’s economic health through 61 economic statistics, highlighting both positive and challenging areas.
“We are an organization that very much believes that you have to know where you rank compared to other states when it comes to economic competitiveness,” said Brian Dayton, vice president of policy and advocacy for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, speaking on MetroNews Midday.
“Let’s be honest. The companies, the businesses that are looking to invest in West Virginia, that are looking to expand in West Virginia, they pay attention to this stuff. They know this stuff.”
Some of the statistics highlighted by the Chamber are pretty good.
West Virginia boasts the fifth highest manufacturing wages. The state’s manufacturing wages per hour of $30.21 rank just behind Wyoming, Louisiana, Connecticut and Washington.
“That’s really, really good for our workers who were in that sector. We need to have more manufacturing jobs,” Dayton said.
Another bright spot on the report shows that Charleston, the state capital, has the third lowest residential property taxes nationally compared to the largest cities of each state.
“I think people are surprised to learn we’re one of the lowest when it comes to that,” Dayton said.
But West Virginia has continuing struggles with other economic indicators, particularly workforce participation, ranking last in the country.
West Virginia’s labor statistics show a persistently low labor force participation rate, ranking at the very bottom of national figures, with a July 2025 rate of 54.3%.
“That is very, very troubling because when you’re looking to attract investment to West Virginia, if companies are looking to expand operations, one of the first things they have to know is, ‘Can I find workers? Can I get the workers in that I need to be able to be successful here?’” Dayton said.
“And we are about eight points below the national average when it comes to workforce participation.”
West Virginia’s 10-year job growth rate is 48th lowest in the country, according to the Chamber report.
Personal income ranks 49th lowest.
Recent polling demonstrates that state residents aren’t completely sold on West Virginia’s economic performance.
The economy is a mixed bag, according to the most recent edition of the MetroNews West Virginia Poll.
Twenty nine% of respondents say the economy is improving, 37% say it’s about the same and 35% say it is getting worse.
That’s a shift from last year when 30% perceived economic improvement and 26% thought it was worsening.
Two years ago, 44% thought the economy was getting better and 19% perceived it as worsening.
Story by Brad McElhinny, MetroNews