Top States for Business 2021

47. West Virginia

The Mountain State offers low costs, but poor education and a lack of innovation leave it in a deep hole.

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West Virginia Score and Ranking

Category 2021 Score 2021 Rank 2019 Rank 2021 Grade
Cost of Doing Business233216B
Infrastructure1554135D
Life, Health & Inclusion20322--C
Workforce1214444F
Economy1093533C-
Business Friendliness484648D-
Access to Capital284748F
Technology & Innovation374950F
Education564542D-
Cost of Living541521B+
Overall10444745--

Economic Profile

Governor: Jim Justice, Republican

Population: 1,784,787

GDP growth (Q1 2021): 8.2%

Unemployment rate (May 2021): 5.5%

Top corporate tax rate: 6.5%

Top individual income tax rate: 6.5%

Gasoline tax: 35.70 cents/gallon

Bond rating (Moody's/S&P): Aa2, stable/AA-, stable

Major private employers: Wal-Mart, West Virginia United Health System, United Bankshares

Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute (excluding 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence

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