Immigrants in
West Virginia
West Virginia is home to a small but vital community of immigrants. About 1.9 percent of the state's residents are foreign-born, and 0.8 percent of its U.S.-born residents live with at least one immigrant parent. Immigrants make up 2.6 percent of West Virginia's labor force and support the state's economy in many ways. Over half of immigrants in West Virginia are naturalized citizens and 94.5 percent say they are proficient in English. As neighbors, business owners, taxpayers, and workers, immigrants are an integral part of West Virginia's diverse and thriving communities and make extensive contributions that benefit all.
Overview
33,000
Immigrant residents$1.2B
Immigrants spending power$450.3M
Immigrants taxes paid2023
Data yearDemographics
In the United States, immigrants are more likely to be working-age than their U.S.-born counterparts. This means they are more likely to be active in the labor force, allowing them to contribute to the economy not only as consumers but also as taxpayers, helping fund social services and programs like Medicare and Social Security.
| Age Group | Foreign-Born Population | U.S.-Born Population |
|---|---|---|
| 0-15 | 2.7% | 17.4% |
| 16-64 | 77.8% | 61.0% |
| 65+ | 19.5% | 21.6% |
48.8%
Share of immigrants who are women51.2%
Share of immigrants who are men13,600
Number of U.S.-born residents living with at least one immigrant parent94.5%
Share of Foreign-Born that are proficient in EnglishTAXES & SPENDING POWER
Immigrant households contribute hundreds of billions of dollars in federal, state, and local taxes and hold a tremendous amount of spending power. This gives them significant economic clout, helping support local communities as consumers and taxpayers. Like all residents of the United States, regardless of where they were born, immigrants make use of public services like education, healthcare, and public safety. Even with these costs, however, immigrants’ economic contributions far outweigh the cost of additional public services they incur.
$1.7B
Immigrant household income$1.2B
Total spending power| State & Local Taxes Paid | $150.0M |
| Federal Taxes Paid | $300.3M |
| Total Taxes Paid | $450.3M |
$156.0M
Immigrants’ contributions to Social Security$45.2M
Immigrants’ contributions to MedicareWorkforce
The growth in the immigrant population has helped to strengthen America’s labor force. As baby boomers retire, younger immigrants are filling crucial gaps in the labor market. Nationally, immigrants are more likely to hold an advanced degree than the U.S.-born. They are also more likely to have less than a high school education. As such, they are able to fill critical shortages at both ends of the skill spectrum, from high-tech positions to agriculture, hospitality, and service jobs.
20,800
Number of immigrant workers in the labor forceEducational Attainment by Nativity, Age 25+
| Education Level | Foreign-Born Population | U.S.-Born Population |
|---|---|---|
| Less Than High School | 12.4% | 11.1% |
| High School & Some College | 40.3% | 65.2% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 20.7% | 14.5% |
| Graduate Degree | 26.7% | 9.2% |
Housing
Immigrant families have long played an important role in helping to build housing wealth in the United States. In recent decades, the more than 40 million immigrants in the U.S. collectively increased U.S. housing wealth by trillions of dollars. Much of this was possible because immigrants moved into neighborhoods once in decline, thus helping to revitalize communities and make neighborhoods more attractive to U.S.-born residents.
9,800
Immigrant homeowners$2.6B
Housing wealth held by immigrant households$55.7M
Amount paid by immigrant-led households in rentInternational Students
International students in the United States contribute tens of billions of dollars to the U.S. economy every year and support a significant number of U.S. jobs through their tuition payments and day-to-day spending. Research has also found that increases in the number of international students at American universities boost innovation and patent creation.
2,369
Students at West Virginia colleges and universities who are international students$75.0M
Economic contribution of international students515
Jobs supported by international studentsNaturalization & Voting Power
As more immigrants naturalize and become eligible to vote, they continue to gain political power. The number of immigrant voters is only projected to rise in the next decade, and in some states foreign-born voters are already capable of deciding elections.
16,600
Number of immigrants who are eligible to vote17,400
Number of immigrants who are naturalized U.S. citizens7,600
Number of immigrants who are eligible for naturalizationTHE DACA-ELIGIBLE POPULATION
DACA-eligible people contribute billions of dollars to the U.S. economy. Removing the protections afforded to DACA recipients would likely upset local economies, communities, and schools, hurting employers and businesses that depend on these young immigrants as workers and customers.
130
Number of active DACA recipients123
Number of people with DACA grantedRefugees
Refugees living in the United States make tremendous contributions to our economy as earners, taxpayers, and consumers. Rather than a drain on communities, refugees, with their high employment rate and entrepreneurial spirit, actually sustain and strengthen their new hometowns.
21
Number of refugees resettled in the last fiscal yearTop Countries of Origin for Refugees Resettled in the last Fiscal Year
Temporary Protected Status Holders
Recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) have made enormous contributions to various industries and paid a significant amount in federal, state, and local taxes in the United States. Forcing them to leave the country not only risks putting these individuals in danger, but also threatens to significantly disrupt local economies.
300
Number of TPS holders