West Virginia's population feels effects of inflation more so than much of the nation due to higher rates of poverty

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WV News) — The U.S. economy continues to grow, albeit at a slower rate than experts have hoped for.

As West Virginians struggle with the second lowest income per capita and the second lowest rate of workforce participation in the nation, the effects that have slowed the national economy, are being felt more strongly in West Virginia.

“Lower income people have much less of a cushion, much less flexibility. Lower income people can really feel a much harder strain from price pressures,” said West Virginia University economist John Deskins. “The inflation is harder on our people, typically, than it is people in higher income states.”

“West Virginia’s poverty rate in 2024 was just under 17%, and that was the fourth highest rate in the country,” said Sean O’Leary, senior po