West Virginia has some things going for it: Natural beauty, wide open spaces, low cost of living, friendly people and an economy that is slowly, but gradually getting better with new economic opportunities.
It feels like the arc of the state is trending in the right direction. However, we also have to be realistic about our challenges. The Chronicle of Higher Education has released demographic data for every state and the figures highlight the headwinds in West Virginia.
For example:
–West Virginia’s median age is 43, that is among the oldest in the nation and four years higher than the national median. That corresponds with the state’s stagnant population growth. We have more deaths than births and our employment participation rate is only 56 percent.
–The survey projects that the number of high school graduates in the state will decline by 14 percent over the next decade. That means fewer in-state residents available for college or to enter the workforce. Nationally, high school graduates will decline by four percent.
–Just 34 percent of West Virginians have a post-high school degree.* That is lower than any of our surrounding states and equal to Mississippi and Louisiana at the bottom. Nationally, the figure is 44 percent.
A college degree does not guarantee a better job and college can saddle an individual with enormous debt, but studies still show the earning potential of a college graduate is significantly higher than someone without a degree.
–West Virginia’s poverty rate is 18 percent. That is among the highest in the country along with Mississippi and Louisiana at 19 percent and New Mexico at 18 percent. The national poverty rate is 13 percent.
An educated population is a key component to economic growth and general well-being, and these figures show we have a long way to go.
I always like to be optimistic about our state without being naïve. We have never had it easy in West Virginia and some of our challenges often seem intractable. But our way forward is guided by our willingness to confront our difficulties clear-eyed and with a commitment to make this a better place for all.
And that begins with having a better educated population.
*(Associate, bachelor, masters, doctoral, professional degree)