West Virginia became the 35th state of the United States on June 20, 1863, after separating from Virginia during the Civil War. Its admission was authorized by President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation following a constitutional process that included approval from the Restored Government of Virginia, which remained loyal to the Union. The state’s path to statehood was unique, occurring amid the turmoil of the Civil War, with West Virginia’s constitution ratified in early 1863 and Lincoln’s proclamation formally recognizing its statehood effective June 20, 1863.
Jump Into What Matters
Today, West Virginia is divided into 55 counties and contains 232 incorporated municipalities, including 77 cities, 148 towns, and six villages. Municipal classifications in West Virginia are guided by population density and urban character, as outlined in Chapter 8, Article 2 of the West Virginia Code. Cities in the state are classified into four classes (Class I through Class IV), with Class I cities being the largest in population and complexity, while towns and villages have smaller populations and lower urban density.
State Information Overview
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Municipalities | 232 |
| Number of Cities | 77 |
| Number of Towns | 148 |
| Number of Villages | 6 |
| Total Counties | 55 |
| Largest City (Population) | Charleston (approx. 47,215 residents) |
| Smallest County (Area) | Hancock County (approx. 88.2 sq miles) |
| State Land Area | Approximately 24,230 square miles |
| Population (2025 est.) | Approximately 1.8 million residents |
Cities and Towns by Alphabetical Letter in West Virginia
Cities in West Virginia that start with A
- Accoville
- Addison (Webster Springs)
- Adrian
- Albright
- Alderson
- Alum Creek
- Amherstdale
- Anawalt
- Anmoore
- Ansted
- Apple Grove
- Arbovale
- Arthurdale
- Athens
- Auburn
- Aurora
Cities in West Virginia that start with B
- Bancroft
- Barboursville
- Barrackville
- Bartley
- Bartow
- Bath (Berkeley Springs)
- Baxter
- Bayard
- Beaver
- Beckley
- Beech Bottom
- Belington
- Belle
- Belmont
- Belva
- Benwood
- Bergoo
- Berwind
- Bethany
- Bethlehem
- Beverly
- Big Chimney
- Big Creek
- Big Sandy
- Birch River
- Blacksville
- Blennerhassett
- Bluefield
- Bluewell
- Boaz
- Bolivar
- Bolt
- Boomer
- Booth
- Bradley
- Bradshaw
- Bramwell
- Brandonville
- Brandywine
- Brenton
- Bridgeport
- Brookhaven
- Bruceton Mills
- Bruno
- Brush Fork
- Buckhannon
- Bud
- Buffalo
- Burlington
- Burnsville
Cities in West Virginia that start with C
- Cairo
- Camden-on-Gauley
- Cameron
- Capon Bridge
- Carolina
- Carpendale
- Cassville
- Cedar Grove
- Century
- Ceredo
- Chapmanville
- Charleston
- Charles Town
- Charlton Heights
- Chattaroy
- Chauncey
- Cheat Lake
- Chelyan
- Chesapeake
- Chester
- Clarksburg
- Clay
- Clearview
- Clendenin
- Clifton
- Coal City
- Coal Fork
- Colcord
- Colliers
- Comfort
- Corinne
- Cottageville
- Covel
- Cowen
- Crab Orchard
- Craigsville
- Crooked Creek
- Cross Lanes
- Crum
- Crumpler
- Cucumber
- Culloden
- Cunard
Cities in West Virginia that start with D
- Daniels
- Danville
- Davis
- Davy
- Deep Water
- Delbarton
- Despard
- Dixie
- Dorothy
- Dunbar
- Dupont City
- Durbin
Cities in West Virginia that start with E
- Earling
- East Bank
- East Dailey
- East View
- Eccles
- Eleanor
- Elizabeth
- Elk Garden
- Elkins
- Elkview
- Ellenboro
- Enterprise
- Eskdale
Cities in West Virginia that start with F
- Fairlea
- Fairmont
- Fairview
- Falling Spring
- Falling Waters
- Falls View
- Farmington
- Fayetteville
- Fenwick
- Flatwoods
- Flemington
- Follansbee
- Fort Ashby
- Fort Gay
- Frank
- Franklin
- Friendly
Cities in West Virginia that start with G
- Gallipolis Ferry
- Galloway
- Garten
- Gary
- Gassaway
- Gatewood
- Gauley Bridge
- Ghent
- Gilbert
- Gilbert Creek
- Glasgow
- Glen Dale
- Glen Ferris
- Glen Fork
- Glen Jean
- Glenville
- Glen White
- Grafton
- Grantsville
- Grant Town
- Granville
- Great Cacapon
- Green Bank
- Green Spring
- Greenview
- Greenville
- Gypsy
Cities in West Virginia that start with H
- Hambleton
- Hamlin
- Handley
- Hansford
- Harman
- Harpers Ferry
- Harrisville
- Hartford City
- Harts
- Hedgesville
- Helvetia
- Henderson
- Hendricks
- Henlawson
- Hepzibah
- Hico
- Hillsboro
- Hilltop
- Hinkleville
- Hinton
- Holden
- Hollygrove
- Hometown
- Hooverson Heights
- Hundred
- Huntersville
- Huntington
- Hurricane
- Huttonsville
Cities in West Virginia that start with I
- Iaeger
- Idamay
- Institute
- Inwood
- Itmann
Cities in West Virginia that start with J
- Jacksonburg
- Jane Lew
- Jefferson
- Junior
- Justice
- Justice Addition
Cities in West Virginia that start with K
- Kanawha
- Kenova
- Kermit
- Keyser
- Keystone
- Kimball
- Kimberly
- Kincaid
- Kingwood
- Kistler
- Kopperston
Cities in West Virginia that start with L
- Lashmeet
- Lavalette
- Leon
- Lesage
- Lester
- Lewisburg
- Littleton
- Logan
- Lost Creek
- Lubeck
- Lumberport
Cities in West Virginia that start with M
- Mabscott
- MacArthur
- Madison
- Malden
- Mallory
- Man
- Mannington
- Marlinton
- Marmet
- Martinsburg
- Mason
- Masontown
- Matewan
- Matheny
- Matoaka
- Maybeury
- McConnell
- McMechen
- Meadow Bridge
- Middlebourne
- Middleway
- Mill Creek
- Milton
- Mineralwells
- Mitchell Heights
- Monaville
- Monongah
- Montcalm
- Montgomery
- Montrose
- Moorefield
- Morgantown
- Moundsville
- Mount Carbon
- Mount Gay-Shamrock
- Mount Hope
- Mullens
Cities in West Virginia that start with N
- Neibert
- Nettie
- Newark
- Newburg
- New Cumberland
- Newell
- New Haven
- New Martinsville
- New Richmond
- Nitro
- Northfork
- North Hills
- Norton
- Nutter Fort
Cities in West Virginia that start with O
- Oak Hill
- Oakvale
- Oceana
- Omar
- Osage
Cities in West Virginia that start with P
- Paden City
- Page
- Parkersburg
- Parsons
- Paw Paw
- Pax
- Pea Ridge
- Pennsboro
- Petersburg
- Peterstown
- Philippi
- Pickens
- Piedmont
- Pinch
- Pine Grove
- Pineville
- Piney View
- Pleasant Valley
- Poca
- Point Pleasant
- Powellton
- Pratt
- Prichard
- Prince
- Princeton
- Prosperity
Cities in West Virginia that start with Q
- Quinwood
Cities in West Virginia that start with R
- Rachel
- Racine
- Rainelle
- Raleigh
- Rand
- Ranson
- Ravenswood
- Raymond City
- Raysal
- Reader
- Red Jacket
- Reedsville
- Reedy
- Reynoldsville
- Rhodell
- Richwood
- Ridgeley
- Ripley
- Rivesville
- Robinette
- Rock Cave
- Roderfield
- Romney
- Ronceverte
- Rossmore
- Rowlesburg
- Rupert
Cities in West Virginia that start with S
- Salem
- Salt Rock
- Sand Fork
- Sarah Ann
- Scarbro
- Shady Spring
- Shannondale
- Shenandoah Junction
- Shepherdstown
- Shinnston
- Shrewsbury
- Sissonville
- Sistersville
- Smithers
- Smithfield
- Sophia
- South Charleston
- Spelter
- Spencer
- Sprague
- Springfield
- St. Albans
- Stanaford
- Star City
- St. George
- St. Marys
- Stollings
- Stonewood
- Summersville
- Sutton
- Switzer
- Sylvester
Cities in West Virginia that start with T
- Teays Valley
- Terra Alta
- Thomas
- Thurmond
- Tioga
- Tornado
- Triadelphia
- Tunnelton
- Twilight
Cities in West Virginia that start with U
- Union
Cities in West Virginia that start with V
- Valley Bend
- Valley Grove
- Valley Head
- Van
- Verdunville
- Vienna
Cities in West Virginia that start with W
- Wallace
- War
- Wardensville
- Washington
- Waverly
- Wayne
- Weirton
- Welch
- Wellsburg
- West Dunbar
- West Hamlin
- West Liberty
- West Logan
- West Milford
- Weston
- Westover
- West Union
- Wheeling
- White Hall
- White Sulphur Springs
- Whitesville
- Whitmer
- Wiley Ford
- Williamson
- Williamstown
- Windsor Heights
- Winfield
- Wolf Summit
- Womelsdorf (Coalton)
- Worthington
- Vivian
Note
Washington does not have towns alphabetically, beginning with the letters X, Y, and Z.
Interactive Washington Map
Questions & Answers
How many cities and towns are in West Virginia?
There are 232 incorporated municipalities, including 77 cities, 148 towns, and six villages in West Virginia.
What are the top 10 cities in West Virginia?
- Charleston
- Huntington
- Morgantown
- Parkersburg
- Wheeling:
- Weirton
- Martinsburg
- Fairmont
- Beckley
- Bluefield
What is the capital and largest city in West Virginia?
Charleston
