West Virginia is divided into 55 counties, the primary local government subdivisions of the U.S. state of West Virginia. Counties serve as important administrative units for courts, elections, law enforcement and public records. The set of 55 has been stable since statehood in 1863, and each county typically contains one county seat that houses key government offices.
Government and functions
Counties in West Virginia operate under elected county commissions (or boards) and have elected sheriffs, clerks, and other officials who administer services such as property tax collection, local courts, road maintenance, and public health. School districts in West Virginia are usually organized at the county level, which makes counties central to local education and infrastructure.
History and naming
Many West Virginia counties trace their origin to older Virginia counties created during colonial and early national eras; when the northwestern counties separated from Virginia during the Civil War, they became the new state's organizing divisions. County names reflect a mix of national figures, local leaders, and geographic or Native American references. For an official compilation and reference materials, see the county directory linked here: official county information.
Notable examples
Some counties are commonly cited as examples because of population centers or regional roles: Kanawha County contains the state capital, Charleston; Monongalia County includes Morgantown and West Virginia University; Cabell County contains Huntington, an important regional city. Others, such as those in the Appalachian south, have histories tied to coal mining and rural settlement patterns.
Alphabetical list of counties
- Barbour
- Berkeley
- Boone
- Braxton
- Brooke
- Cabell
- Calhoun
- Clay
- Doddridge
- Fayette
- Gilmer
- Grant
- Greenbrier
- Hampshire
- Hancock
- Hardy
- Harrison
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Kanawha
- Lewis
- Lincoln
- Logan
- Marion
- Marshall
- Mason
- McDowell
- Mercer
- Mineral
- Mingo
- Monongalia
- Monroe
- Morgan
- Nicholas
- Ohio
- Pendleton
- Pleasants
- Pocahontas
- Preston
- Putnam
- Raleigh
- Randolph
- Ritchie
- Roane
- Summers
- Taylor
- Tucker
- Tyler
- Upshur
- Wayne
- Webster
- Wetzel
- Wirt
- Wood
- Wyoming
Counties matter for everyday governance and historical identity in West Virginia. For maps, demographic summaries, and detailed county profiles, consult a dedicated reference or government resource: detailed county profiles and maps.