West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863, after separating from Virginia during the Civil War. It was admitted to the Union as the 35th state following President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation. As of this writing, the state has 55 counties and 232 incorporated municipalities, which include 77 cities, 148 towns, and six villages.
Jump Into What Matters
Just like most States in the United States, Municipalities in West Virginia are also classified based on population density and urban character as guided in Chapter 8, Article 2 of the West Virginia Code. For example, the cities in West Virginia are classified into four classes (I-IV), with Class I cities being the largest. At the same time, Towns and villages have smaller populations and less urban density than cities.
What to note about West Virginia and Virginia: The West has retained its county-based governance model inherited from Virginia, which influences municipal operations. Counties often provide essential services to municipalities, especially in rural areas. Today, West Virginia spans 24,230 square miles, with a population of approximately 1.8 million as of 2025.
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 (47,215) |
| Smallest County (Area) | Hancock (88.2 sq mi) |
Cities and Towns by Alphabetical Letter
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
