West Virginia Economy

Agriculture and Industry Services and Products

Coal, a mineral that significantly affected West Virginia's history, was discovered there in 1742. Other important natural resources are oil, natural gas, and hardwood forests, which cover about 75% of the state's area.

The state's rapid industrial expansion began in the 1870s, with the increase of railroad access to this rugged state. Industry drew thousands of European immigrants and African Americans into the region. Miners' strikes between 1912 and 1921 required the intervention of state and federal troops to quell the violence. Today, the state ranks second in the U.S. in total coal production, with about 15% of the U.S. total. It is also a leader in steel, glass, aluminum, and chemical manufactures. Major agricultural commodities are poultry and eggs, dairy products, and apples. Tourism is increasingly popular in mountainous West Virginia. More than a million acres have been set aside in 37 state parks and recreation areas and in 9 state forests and 2 national forests.

Agriculture and Industry

The economy of West Virginia is one of the weakest of any U.S. state. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, West Virginia is Third from the bottom in per capita income, ahead of only Arkansas and Mississippi. It is also the Last state in median household income. One major contributor to the state's low economic rankings is the low educational level of its population. The proportion of West Virginia's adult population with a bachelor's degree is the lowest in the country, at 15.3%.

One of the major resources in West Virginia's economy is coal. West Virginia also engaged in drilling oil, but currently only has small/medium sized scatter natural gas fields. Farming is also practiced in West Virginia.

West Virginia is an Alcoholic beverage control state.

West Virginia Agriculture:

Cattle, dairy products, poultry, apples.

West Virginia Industry:

Chemical products, mining, primary metals, stone, clay, and glass products, tourism.