West Virginia 2014
The capital city of West Virginia is Charleston, located in the Kanawha Valley along the Elk River. It is the most populous city in the state with a population of over 50,000 people. The city is home to several universities and colleges, including West Virginia State University, Marshall University, and the University of Charleston. Charleston also has a vibrant and diverse economy with major industries in manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and technology.
According to countryaah.com,the largest city in West Virginia is Huntington with a population of over 47,000 people. It is located along the Ohio River and is known for its beautiful parks and outdoor activities. Huntington also has a thriving economy powered by banking, healthcare services, retail stores, and manufacturing. The city’s rich cultural heritage can be seen through its numerous museums, galleries, theaters, and music venues.
Politics of West Virginia in 2014
In 2014, West Virginia was in the midst of a period of transition in its political landscape. The state was still reeling from the 2010 gubernatorial election, which saw Republican Bill Maloney defeat incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin by a narrow margin. This election marked the first time since 1964 that West Virginia had elected a Republican governor.
In 2014, West Virginia was also in the middle of an interesting legislative session. In April 2014, the state legislature passed a bill that would expand Medicaid coverage to over 150,000 low-income residents. This legislation was met with both praise and criticism from both sides of the aisle as it represented an expansion of government-provided health care while also being seen as a potentially costly endeavor for the state.
The November 2014 midterm elections saw Republicans make significant gains in West Virginia’s congressional delegation, picking up two seats in Congress and claiming majorities in both chambers of the state legislature for the first time since 1932. This shift marked a further move to the right for West Virginia politics as Republicans now held all three statewide offices as well as majorities in both houses of legislature.
Throughout 2014, West Virginians also had to grapple with several controversial issues such as fracking regulations and same-sex marriage recognition. In November 2014, voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the state constitution that defined marriage solely between one man and one woman despite strong opposition from LGBT activists and civil liberties organizations throughout the state. Meanwhile, debates continued over how best to regulate fracking within West Virginia due to concerns about potential environmental damage caused by this form of natural gas extraction.
Overall, 2014 marked an interesting period for politics in West Virginia as new governors and legislators were elected while controversial issues divided public opinion throughout the year.
Population of West Virginia in 2014
In 2014, according to beautyphoon, West Virginia had an estimated population of 1.85 million people, making it the 38th most populous state in the United States. The state’s population had grown at a rate of 0.5% since 2010, slightly lower than the national average of 0.7%. West Virginia was also one of the oldest states in terms of median age, with a median age of 40.3 years compared to the national median age of 37.2 years.
The majority of West Virginia’s population (90%) identified as white in 2014, while 8% identified as African American and 2% identified as Hispanic or Latino. The largest ethnic group within the state was German Americans at 21%, followed by Irish Americans at 15%, English Americans at 13%, and Italian Americans at 6%.
West Virginia also experienced very low levels of migration between 2010 and 2014; only 4% of its population moved to another state during this period compared to 13% nationally. This was due to a combination of factors such as its rural location, slow growth rate, and lack of jobs that could attract new residents from other states.
In terms of education attainment, West Virginia lagged behind the national average in 2014 with only 25% having achieved a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 30% nationally. However, West Virginians were more likely than most other states to have completed some college or an associate’s degree (33%) or have a high school diploma (40%).
West Virginia also had one of the highest poverty rates in the country in 2014 with 17% living below the poverty line compared to 14% nationally. This number was even higher for certain demographic groups; 28% for African Americans and 25% for children under 18 years old were living in poverty in 2014 versus 21% and 19%, respectively nationwide. In addition, West Virginians were less likely than average to be employed; only 57 percent were employed compared to 63 percent nationwide.
Economy of West Virginia in 2014
In 2014, according to ablogtophone, West Virginia’s economy was largely driven by its natural resources and industries related to them. The state’s main sources of income were coal, natural gas, timber, and tourism. Coal production accounted for the majority of the state’s total exports in 2014 at $3 billion, with natural gas production coming in second at $1 billion. These industries also provided employment for a large portion of the population; approximately 1 in every 5 jobs in West Virginia were related to mining or energy production.
West Virginia was also home to several other industries such as chemical manufacturing, biotechnology, and automotive manufacturing which provided jobs to many residents. In addition, tourism was a major source of income for the state; it is estimated that visitors spent over $2 billion on travel and tourism-related activities in 2014.
The unemployment rate in West Virginia had been steadily decreasing since 2011 and was at 6% in 2014 compared to 7% nationally. However, wages remained lower than average; median household income was $41,823 compared to $53,482 nationwide. This disparity can be attributed to the fact that many of West Virginia’s jobs are low-paying service or manual labor positions that do not require much education or experience.
Despite its reliance on natural resources and manufacturing sectors for economic growth, West Virginia was looking towards diversifying its economy with initiatives such as The New Economy Initiative (NEI) which aimed to attract businesses from other sectors such as technology and healthcare by providing tax incentives and grants. It remains to be seen if these efforts will be successful in bringing new economic opportunities into the state but they are certainly a step in the right direction.
Events Held in West Virginia in 2014
In 2014, West Virginia was host to a wide variety of events that attracted visitors from across the country. From festivals and concerts to sports competitions and more, there was something for everyone in the state.
One of the most popular events held in West Virginia in 2014 was the annual Greenbrier Classic golf tournament. The event brought together some of the best golfers from around the world and drew large crowds who were eager to watch them compete. The tournament also featured a number of other activities such as a pro-am competition, a celebrity shootout, and an auction for charity.
In addition to sports events, West Virginia also hosted several music festivals throughout 2014. The Mountain Music Festival was held at Snowshoe Mountain Resort and featured performances by popular country music artists such as Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, and Miranda Lambert. Another popular festival was the All Good Music Festival which took place at Marvin’s Mountaintop near Masontown and featured performances by acts like Widespread Panic, Primus, and Passion Pit.
West Virginia is home to many outdoor activities which made it a popular destination for adventure seekers in 2014. One of these activities was whitewater rafting on the New River which saw thousands of people take part in guided trips down its rapids each year. Another popular activity was hiking on one of the many trails located throughout the state such as Seneca Rocks or Dolly Sods Wilderness Area.
Finally, West Virginia also hosted several cultural events throughout 2014 that showcased its rich history and culture. The annual Appalachian String Band Festival celebrated traditional mountain music with performances from some of the region’s best musicians while Taste Of Appalachia showcased local cuisine with dishes like ramp soup or catfish nuggets made with ingredients found in West Virginia’s rivers or mountainsides.
Overall, 2014 saw an abundance of exciting events taking place throughout West Virginia that attracted visitors from all over the country who came to experience its unique culture, natural beauty, and vibrant atmosphere.
