| Census estimates show West Virginia's population shrank for the fifth straight year in 2017.
According to estimates released Wednesday, West Virginia was among eight states to lose population.
As of July 1, the state's population was estimated at 1,815,857, down 12,780 from a revised estimate of 1,828,637 the same time a year ago.
Illinois was the only state to lose more residents over the one-year period than West Virginia.
The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November was 5.3 percent, compared with the national rate of 4.1 percent.
West Virginia's population has dipped every year since reaching 1,855,360 in 2012.
The estimates show the nation's population grew less than 1 percent. | 
