The claim
West Virginia is “the only state losing population.”
PeakMetrics research summary
Based on related reporting.
Related reporting on Census Bureau data, analyzed by SmartAsset, says West Virginia was one of five states that lost population between July 2024 and July 2025—not the only one. The report names Vermont, Hawaii, New Mexico and California as the other four.[S2]
Research date:
Sources and attribution
- [original] PolitiFact original review
Original review · Retrieved October 16, 2026
- [S2] Map shows the states Americans are moving to and leaving
Additional research · Retrieved October 16, 2026