Counties most concerned about climate change in West Virginia
Counties most concerned about climate change in West Virginia
Nationally, 72% of Americans believe global warming is happening. But when public opinion researchers zoom in on Americans, they find that attitudes and opinions about climate change can vary drastically from county to county—even when those counties are next door. Public opinion factors into how policy-makers respond to climate change, including taking steps to reduce CO2 levels and mitigate harmful impacts already being experienced. Stacker compiled a list of counties most concerned about climate change in West Virginia using data from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.
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#50. Boone County
--- 4.1% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.1%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 31.2%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 19.0%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 46.0%
- Total population: 17,825
#49. Taylor County
--- 3.5% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 51.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 30.3%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 20.9%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 46.8%
- Total population: 13,479
#48. Nicholas County
--- 3.4% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 50.0%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 30.8%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 20.2%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 45.5%
- Total population: 20,197
#47. Logan County
--- 3.1% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 50.4%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 31.8%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 20.5%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 47.4%
- Total population: 26,811
#46. Wetzel County
--- 3.0% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 50.7%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 31.5%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 20.2%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 46.7%
- Total population: 12,436
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#45. Lincoln County
--- 2.9% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 50.1%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 31.8%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 20.0%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 47.6%
- Total population: 16,342
#44. Mason County
--- 2.6% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 38.9%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 29.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 14.1%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 45.6%
- Total population: 21,330
#43. Pleasants County
--- 2.0% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 38.9%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 28.3%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 14.9%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 46.7%
- Total population: 6,076
#42. Wayne County
--- 1.8% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.4%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 31.2%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 19.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 46.5%
- Total population: 32,070
#41. Webster County
--- 1.1% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 50.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 32.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.0%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 47.3%
- Total population: 6,797
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#40. Raleigh County
--- 1.0% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 55.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.5%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 48.2%
- Total population: 60,316
#39. Calhoun County
--- 0.6% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 51.2%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 32.9%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.6%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 47.6%
- Total population: 5,918
#38. Tucker County
--- 0.6% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 51.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 32.4%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.0%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 47.6%
- Total population: 5,865
#37. McDowell County
--- 0.1% lower than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.0%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 17.1%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 47.2%
- Total population: 15,275
#36. Putnam County
--- 0.6% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 47.0%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 30.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 18.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 49.3%
- Total population: 43,814
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#35. Hampshire County
--- 0.6% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 51.7%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 32.8%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.2%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 48.6%
- Total population: 18,887
#34. Mercer County
--- 0.7% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.7%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.5%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.1%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 46.3%
- Total population: 48,049
#33. Tyler County
--- 0.8% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 51.0%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 31.0%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.0%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 48.3%
- Total population: 7,142
#32. Monroe County
--- 1.3% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.0%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 48.5%
- Total population: 10,797
#31. Marshall County
--- 1.5% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 48.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 30.9%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 19.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 49.1%
- Total population: 25,324
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#30. Lewis County
--- 1.9% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 31.9%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 48.1%
- Total population: 12,774
#29. Mineral County
--- 2.6% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.4%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 31.5%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 20.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 48.8%
- Total population: 21,711
#28. Wood County
--- 3.1% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 51.8%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 32.7%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 48.8%
- Total population: 67,534
#27. Hardy County
--- 3.6% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.3%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.8%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 20.9%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.6%
- Total population: 10,997
#26. Jackson County
--- 3.7% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.3%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 32.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.2%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 49.5%
- Total population: 22,723
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#25. Brooke County
--- 3.9% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 45.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 31.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 17.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 48.4%
- Total population: 18,653
#24. Hancock County
--- 4.1% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 50.3%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 32.0%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 19.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.4%
- Total population: 23,959
#23. Braxton County
--- 4.4% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 53.4%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 49.7%
- Total population: 11,422
#22. Preston County
--- 4.5% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 53.1%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.3%
- Total population: 27,289
#21. Roane County
--- 4.6% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 53.1%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.5%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.1%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 49.7%
- Total population: 11,123
#20. Morgan County
--- 4.8% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 54.3%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 49.3%
- Total population: 14,329
#19. Doddridge County
--- 4.9% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.7%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.7%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.6%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.1%
- Total population: 7,131
#18. Clay County
--- 5.1% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.8%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.5%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.5%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 49.7%
- Total population: 6,798
#17. Greenbrier County
--- 5.3% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 54.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.4%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.3%
- Total population: 28,352
#16. Pocahontas County
--- 5.3% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 54.1%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.4%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.2%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.4%
- Total population: 7,051
#15. Summers County
--- 5.7% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 53.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.3%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 20.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.5%
- Total population: 10,777
#14. Harrison County
--- 5.8% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.4%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 32.7%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 20.0%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.5%
- Total population: 53,546
#13. Upshur County
--- 6.0% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.0%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.2%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.6%
- Total population: 19,640
#12. Randolph County
--- 7.4% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 54.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.3%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.0%
- Total population: 23,500
#11. Fayette County
--- 7.9% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 54.8%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.8%
- Total population: 34,994
#10. Gilmer County
--- 8.8% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 55.0%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.3%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 52.1%
- Total population: 6,983
#9. Barbour County
--- 9.1% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 54.0%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.4%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.7%
- Total population: 13,360

#8. Ohio County
--- 10.6% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 57.0%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.2%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.0%
- Total population: 34,416
#7. Pendleton County
--- 10.7% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 55.3%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.1%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 52.7%
- Total population: 5,787
#6. Marion County
--- 11.3% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 56.9%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.0%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 54.0%
- Total population: 45,175
#5. Berkeley County
--- 13.4% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 55.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.9%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.2%
- Total population: 86,534

#4. Cabell County
--- 15.2% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 59.9%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.2%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.3%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.2%
- Total population: 76,401

#3. Kanawha County
--- 19.3% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 56.3%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.7%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.9%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 54.3%
- Total population: 148,149
#2. Jefferson County
--- 20.7% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 61.4%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 38.4%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 25.5%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 57.3%
- Total population: 43,461
#1. Monongalia County
--- 24.3% higher than West Virginia average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 62.8%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 38.3%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 27.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 58.8%
- Total population: 88,101