City · West Virginia
South Charleston, West Virginia
South Charleston, city, in Kanawha County, West Virginia. South Charleston had 13,072 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 13,647 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 13,457 (±28). GEOID 5475292.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
13,072
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 13,647 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,457 ±28
Median household income
$63,884
±$7,529 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$155,400
±$12,114 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$844
±$139 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
Where is South Charleston and what county is it in?
South Charleston is a city in Kanawha County, West Virginia. It covers 9.8 square miles of land, 1,398 residents per square mile in 2020.
South 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 South Charleston, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 13,072 people lived in South Charleston on July 1, 2025, down 5.9% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 13,647 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 13,457 (±28).
| Measure | South Charleston | Kanawha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,457 ±28 | 176,537 | +982 |
| Households | 6,189 ±339 | 76,459 | +541 |
| Average household size | 2.17 ±0.12 | 2.27 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,970 ±382 | 90,408 | +794 |
South Charleston's population since 2000
From 13,390 in 2000 to 13,072 in 2025: down 2.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for South 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 South Charleston?
The median resident of South Charleston is 41.7 years old; 20.4% are under 18 and 21.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 5.1%. 1.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | South Charleston | Kanawha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7 ±1.9 | 43.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.4% ±2.7 pts | 19.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.4% ±3.0 pts | 22.1% | – |
| Male | 46.5% ±2.6 pts | 48.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.0% ±1.2 pts | 1.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.4% ±3.4 pts | 85.9% | +5.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.1% ±1.7 pts | 4.8% | −3.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±1.0 pts | 1.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.9% ±2.2 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.4% ±0.7 pts | 2.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.5% ±0.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.9% ±1.2 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.5% ±2.6 pts | 19.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.6% ±1.9 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.9% ±2.1 pts | 91.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 37.8% ±4.2 pts | 29.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.2% ±2.8 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.6% ±3.0 pts | 91.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9% ±1.9 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 South Charleston earn?
Half of South Charleston's 6,189 households earn less than $63,884 a year (±$7,529), against $60,943 in Kanawha County and $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $66,104 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | South Charleston | Kanawha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,884 ±$7,529 | $60,943 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $80,279 ±$4,990 | $84,041 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,767 ±$2,865 | $37,354 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.9% ±5.0 pts | 15.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.3% ±10.3 pts | 20.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.2% ±4.4 pts | 15.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.8% ±2.3 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.0% ±3.9 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 South Charleston?
Owners occupy 70.6% of South Charleston's occupied homes and renters 29.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $155,400 by its owner (±$12,114). The median renter pays $844 a month including utilities, and 38.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | South Charleston | Kanawha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $155,400 ±$12,114 | $147,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $844 ±$139 | $906 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.1% ±11.6 pts | 37.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,189 ±$125 | $1,216 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.6% ±5.1 pts | 71.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 29.4% ±5.1 pts | 28.9% | – |
| Housing units | 6,970 ±382 | 90,408 | +794 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9% ±1.0 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.8% ±5.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.6% ±4.0 pts | 70.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.7% ±1.0 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.2% ±1.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.7% ±2.4 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.3% ±4.0 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 South Charleston building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units in South Charleston in 2025 (7 in single-family houses), 0.5 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 South Charleston work and get to work?
76.1% of South Charleston's workers drive alone and 8.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.0%.
| Measure | South Charleston | Kanawha County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.9% ±4.0 pts | 55.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% ±3.1 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.1% ±4.9 pts | 77.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.4% ±3.3 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.2% ±2.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 2.2% ±1.6 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.9% ±2.4 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.3 min ±1.9 | 21.8 min | +3.1 min |
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 South Charleston?
5 census tracts lie mostly in South Charleston, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $42,602 (Tract 130.01) to $90,354 (Tract 130.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 128Kanawha County | 4,128 | $79,107 |
| Tract 131Kanawha County | 3,741 | $62,629 |
| Tract 130.01Kanawha County | 2,019 | $42,602 |
| Tract 129Kanawha County | 1,144 | $43,813 |
| Tract 130.02Kanawha County | 2,112 | $90,354 |
| Tract 21Kanawha County | 4,607 | $85,156 |
| Tract 123.01Kanawha County | 4,742 | $60,791 |
| Tract 132Kanawha County | 3,336 | $56,250 |
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 South Charleston) · Census block assignment files
How does South Charleston compare with other places in West Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, South Charleston is the 2,659th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 11th-most populous of 230 in West Virginia.
South Charleston ranks 44th 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 | 11th | 230 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 77th | 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 55th | 146 |
| Median household income | 44th | 138 |
| Per capita income | 30th | 144 |
| Median home value | 52nd | 142 |
| Median gross rent | 61st | 123 |
| Poverty rate | 70th | 111 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15th | 135 |
| Median age | 83rd | 146 |
| Owner-occupied share | 72nd | 146 |
| Work from home | 40th | 53 |
| Travel time to work | 112th | 145 |
South Charleston's figures with every place in West Virginia (CSV)
Every place in West Virginia, sortable · Compare South 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 South Charleston?
9 of the 57 figures for South 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 South 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 South Charleston.