Charleston, WV
Quality of Life, Demographics, And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2023-10-17

Living In Charleston, West Virginia Summary

Life in Charleston research summary. HomeSnacks has been researching the quality of life in Charleston over the past eight years using Census data, FBI crime data, cost of living data, and other primary sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Charleston:

  • The population in Charleston is 49,055.

  • The median home value in Charleston is $157,000.

  • The median income in Charleston is $54,101.

  • The cost of living in Charleston is 87 which is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median rent in Charleston is $800.

  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 6.3%.

  • The poverty rate in Charleston is 17.5%.

Charleston SnackAbility

6
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
6
Affordability
8
Diversity
8
Safety
3
Amenities
8.5
Education
8.5
Commute
9

Charleston, WV Crime Report

2,245
Total Crimes
4,741.3
Total Crimes / 100k People
104.00%
Above National Average
Statistic Count
Raw
Charleston
/ 100k People
West Virginia
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 2,245 4,741.3 1,755.3 2,324.2
Violent Crime 302 637.8 355.9 369.8
Murder 10 21.1 6.6 6.3
Robbery 35 73.9 20.7 66.1
Aggravated Assault 213 449.8 282.1 268.2
Property Crime 1,943 4,103.5 1,399.4 1,954.4
Burglary 423 893.3 273.3 269.8
Larceny 1,375 2,903.9 998.9 1,401.9
Car Theft 145 306.2 127.2 282.7

Charleston, WV Cost Of Living

87
Charleston's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average
Living Expense Charleston West Virginia National Average
Overall 87 89 100
Services 95 96 100
Groceries 94 98 100
Health 93 99 100
Housing 79 69 100
Transportation 93 100 100
Utilities 87 95 100

Charleston, WV Photos

Kanawha County Courthouse
Source: Public Domain
Kanawha Valley Building
Source: Public Domain
Charlestonwvzero
Source: Public Domain
Capitolstcharlestonwv
Source: Public Domain
Kanawha River Charleston
Source: Public Domain

Rankings for Charleston in West Virginia

Map Of Charleston, WV

Best Places Around Charleston

1

St. Albans, WV
Population 10,842

2

Teays Valley, WV
Population 13,805

3

Dunbar, WV
Population 7,500

4

South Charleston, WV
Population 13,595

5

Nitro, WV
Population 6,630

6

Sissonville, WV
Population 3,342

7

Cross Lanes, WV
Population 9,434

Population over time in Charleston

Year Population % Change
2021 47,273 -3.0%
2020 48,734 -1.3%
2019 49,384 -1.6%
2018 50,210 -0.7%
2017 50,566 -0.7%
2016 50,911 -0.4%
2015 51,135 -0.2%
2014 51,224 -0.3%
2013 51,360 -0.1%
2012 51,432 -

Race / Ethnicity in Charleston

White
77.1% (37,815)
African American
14.1% (6,911)
American Indian
0.2% (92)
Asian
2.4% (1,200)
Hawaiian
0.0% (11)
Other
0.0% (15)
Two Or More
4.9% (2,395)
Hispanic
1.3% (616)
Race Charleston WV USA
White 77.1% 91.2% 59.4%
African American 14.1% 3.4% 12.2%
American Indian 0.2% 0.1% 0.6%
Asian 2.4% 0.8% 5.6%
Hawaiian 0.0% 0.0% 0.2%
Other 0.0% 0.2% 0.4%
Two Or More 4.9% 2.6% 3.2%
Hispanic 1.3% 1.7% 18.4%

Gender in Charleston

Female
51.2% (25,123)
Male
48.8% (23,931)
Gender Charleston WV USA
Female 51.2% 50.2% 50.5%
Male 48.8% 49.8% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Charleston for adults over 25

< 9th Grade
2.0% (981)
9-12th Grade
5.0% (2,452)
High School / GED
24.0% (11,773)
Some College
20.0% (9,811)
Associate's Degree
6.0% (2,943)
Bachelor's Degree
23.0% (11,282)
Master's Degree
11.0% (5,396)
Professional Degree
7.0% (3,433)
Doctorate Degree
2.0% (981)
Education Charleston WV USA
< 9th Grade 2.0% 4.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 5.0% 8.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 24.0% 40.0% 26.0%
Some College 20.0% 19.0% 20.0%
Associate's Degree 6.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 23.0% 13.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 11.0% 6.0% 9.0%
Professional Degree 7.0% 1.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 2.0% 1.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Charleston, West Virginia

Less than $10,000
7.8% (383,808)
$10,000 to $14,999
8.4% (413,315)
$15,000 to $24,999
10.8% (530,439)
$25,000 to $34,999
8.0% (394,620)
$35,000 to $49,999
12.2% (596,660)
$50,000 to $74,999
17.3% (850,280)
$75,000 to $99,999
10.2% (498,005)
$100,000 to $149,999
11.3% (552,288)
$150,000 to $199,999
5.4% (263,305)
$200,000 or more
8.6% (422,775)
Income Charleston WV USA
Less than $10,000 7.8% 7.9% 5.5%
$10,000 to $14,999 8.4% 5.8% 3.9%
$15,000 to $24,999 10.8% 11.5% 7.8%
$25,000 to $34,999 8.0% 10.4% 8.2%
$35,000 to $49,999 12.2% 13.7% 11.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 17.3% 17.7% 16.8%
$75,000 to $99,999 10.2% 11.8% 12.8%
$100,000 to $149,999 11.3% 12.9% 16.3%
$150,000 to $199,999 5.4% 4.5% 7.8%
$200,000 or more 8.6% 3.8% 9.5%

Articles About West Virginia

Enjoy The Snack?