City · West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston, city, in Kanawha County, West Virginia. Charleston had 46,117 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 48,864 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 47,421 (±38). GEOID 5414600.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
46,117
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 48,864 · ACS 2020-2024: 47,421 ±38
Median household income
$65,812
±$4,311 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$203,300
±$16,251 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$908
±$44 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
Where is Charleston and what county is it in?
Charleston is a city in Kanawha County, West Virginia. It covers 31.4 square miles of land, 1,556 residents per square mile in 2020.
Charleston is in the Charleston, WV metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Charleston, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 46,117 people lived in Charleston on July 1, 2025, down 5.5% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 48,864 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 47,421 (±38).
| Measure | Charleston | Kanawha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 47,421 ±38 | 176,537 | −585 |
| Households | 21,116 ±550 | 76,459 | −1,055 |
| Average household size | 2.15 ±0.06 | 2.27 | +0.09 |
| Housing units | 25,544 ±619 | 90,408 | no clear change |
Charleston's population since 2000
From 53,421 in 2000 to 46,117 in 2025: down 13.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Charleston as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Charleston?
The median resident of Charleston is 43.0 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 21.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 76.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 9.5%. 4.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Charleston | Kanawha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0 ±1.4 | 43.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.1% ±1.3 pts | 19.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.1% ±1.4 pts | 22.1% | – |
| Male | 50.0% ±1.3 pts | 48.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.2% ±0.7 pts | 1.6% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 76.4% ±1.9 pts | 85.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.5% ±1.4 pts | 4.8% | −6.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.6% ±0.5 pts | 1.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 9.1% ±1.6 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.5% ±1.0 pts | 2.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.3% ±1.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.5% ±0.8 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 19.7% ±1.5 pts | 19.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.0% ±0.6 pts | 4.9% | −2.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.2% ±1.1 pts | 91.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 45.2% ±1.9 pts | 29.7% | +5.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 21.7% ±2.0 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.8% ±1.7 pts | 91.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0% ±0.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Charleston earn?
Half of Charleston's 21,116 households earn less than $65,812 a year (±$4,311), against $60,943 in Kanawha County and $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $53,343 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,469 after inflation. 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Charleston | Kanawha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,812 ±$4,311 | $60,943 | +$12,469 |
| Mean household income | $107,322 ±$6,356 | $84,041 | – |
| Per capita income | $49,097 ±$2,711 | $37,354 | +$5,516 |
| People below the poverty line | 15.8% ±1.9 pts | 15.7% | −5.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.5% ±5.4 pts | 20.6% | −11.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.2% ±1.8 pts | 15.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.1% ±1.1 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.7% ±1.6 pts | 88.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Charleston?
Owners occupy 63.3% of Charleston's occupied homes and renters 36.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $203,300 by its owner (±$16,251). The median renter pays $908 a month including utilities, and 37.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Charleston | Kanawha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $203,300 ±$16,251 | $147,300 | +$23,865 |
| Median gross rent | $908 ±$44 | $906 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.0% ±4.1 pts | 37.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,363 ±$88 | $1,216 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.3% ±2.5 pts | 71.1% | +6.7 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 36.7% ±2.5 pts | 28.9% | – |
| Housing units | 25,544 ±619 | 90,408 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.4% ±1.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 12.8% ±3.1 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.0% ±2.0 pts | 70.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.1% ±0.5 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.8% ±0.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 25.5% ±1.8 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.4% ±1.6 pts | 9.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Charleston building?
Builders took permits for 9 new housing units in Charleston in 2025 (7 in single-family houses), 0.2 per 1,000 residents against 2.2 across West Virginia.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Charleston work and get to work?
72.0% of Charleston's workers drive alone and 13.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.5%.
| Measure | Charleston | Kanawha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.8% ±2.1 pts | 55.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.5% ±1.5 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.0% ±2.8 pts | 77.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.0% ±1.6 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 5.4% ±1.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.0% ±2.0 pts | 9.6% | +9.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.9 min ±1.2 | 21.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Charleston?
18 census tracts lie mostly in Charleston, and 8 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $17,679 (Tract 9) to $129,717 (Tract 19.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 11Kanawha County | 5,262 | $62,407 |
| Tract 15Kanawha County | 4,452 | $100,176 |
| Tract 21Kanawha County | 4,607 | $85,156 |
| Tract 6Kanawha County | 3,895 | $54,784 |
| Tract 20Kanawha County | 2,992 | $75,729 |
| Tract 19.01Kanawha County | 3,904 | $129,717 |
| Tract 19.02Kanawha County | 3,966 | $121,750 |
| Tract 13Kanawha County | 2,124 | $64,536 |
| Tract 3Kanawha County | 2,540 | $60,714 |
| Tract 18Kanawha County | 2,714 | $86,414 |
| Tract 5Kanawha County | 1,773 | $63,996 |
| Tract 7Kanawha County | 1,569 | $36,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Charleston) · Census block assignment files
How does Charleston compare with other places in West Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Charleston is the 891st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the most populous of 230 in West Virginia.
Charleston ranks 39th of 138 places in West Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 1st | 230 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 73rd | 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 48th | 146 |
| Median household income | 39th | 138 |
| Per capita income | 8th | 144 |
| Median home value | 28th | 142 |
| Median gross rent | 43rd | 123 |
| Poverty rate | 76th | 111 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10th | 135 |
| Median age | 67th | 146 |
| Owner-occupied share | 101st | 146 |
| Work from home | 18th | 53 |
| Travel time to work | 130th | 145 |
Charleston's figures with every place in West Virginia (CSV)
Every place in West Virginia, sortable · Compare Charleston with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Charleston?
5 of the 57 figures for Charleston on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Charleston are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Charleston.