Death in West Virginia
In 2025, 24,462 people died in West Virginia, about 67 a day. Life expectancy at birth is 74.1 years, 4.9 years below the U.S. average of 79.0. The leading cause of death is heart disease.
Quick facts
- West Virginia recorded 24,462 deaths in 2025, about 67 a day (CDC/NCHS provisional counts).
- The death rate in West Virginia was 1,385 per 100,000 residents in 2025, the highest of the 50 states and D.C., against 909 for the U.S. (CDC/NCHS provisional counts and Census Bureau estimates).
- Life expectancy at birth in West Virginia is 74.1 years, against 79.0 for the U.S. (NCHS state life tables for 2022, adjusted to 2024 death rates).
- Women in West Virginia can expect to live 76.7 years at birth and men 71.5 (NCHS state life tables for 2022, adjusted to 2024 death rates).
- The leading cause of death in West Virginia was heart disease, with 5,364 deaths in 2024 (CDC/NCHS final data).
Estimated deaths in West Virginia so far today
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Estimate based on 24,462 deaths counted in West Virginia in 2025. Those are CDC provisional counts, newer than the final data for the year before, and they may change slightly. The total is spread over the year by each month's usual share. Days start at midnight Eastern Time.
How long people live in West Virginia
| West Virginia | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone, at birth | 74.1 | 79.0 |
| Women, at birth | 76.7 | 81.5 |
| Men, at birth | 71.5 | 76.5 |
| Years left at 65 | 17.4 | 19.7 |
Life expectancy in years. NCHS state life tables (2022), adjusted to 2024 U.S. death rates; U.S. life tables 2024. Death rates are not adjusted for age, so states with older residents rank higher.
West Virginia had the 35th most deaths of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. in 2025, and the highest death rate, 1,385 per 100,000 residents, against 909 for the whole country.
Work out the numbers for your own age with the life expectancy calculator, or see every state ranked in life expectancy by state.
Age at death in West Virginia
Out of everyone born today, the share who would die at each age if today's death rates held. The most common age is 82.
NCHS state life tables (2022), adjusted to 2024 U.S. death rates.
After a death in West Virginia
- ProbateUSProbate in West VirginiaWhen an estate needs probate in West Virginia, the small-estate options, and which court handles it.
- Cheap FuneralFuneral prices in West VirginiaPublished prices for direct cremation and burial at funeral homes in the state.
- FuneralUSFind a funeral homeSearch funeral homes by city or ZIP code, with contact details.
- VeteranFuneralsVeteran cemeteries in West VirginiaNational and state veterans cemeteries, and the burial benefits veterans and spouses can use.
- FunerariaCercaFunerarias en West VirginiaFuneral homes for Spanish-speaking families, in Spanish.
Leading causes of death in West Virginia
Deaths in 2024, by cause.
- Heart disease5,364
- Cancer4,758
- Accidents (unintentional injuries)1,681
- Chronic lung disease (COPD)1,582
- Stroke1,084
Source: Stats of the States: death data maps by cause (heart disease, cancer, accidents, stroke, ...), CDC / National Center for Health Statistics, 2024 final data.
The leading causes change a lot with age. See the leading causes of death by age for the U.S.