Charleston, WV
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-25

Living In Charleston, West Virginia Summary

Life in Charleston research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Charleston over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Charleston:

  • The population in Charleston is 47,918.

  • The median home value in Charleston is $159,921.

  • The median income in Charleston is $64,512.

  • The cost of living in Charleston is 92 which is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median rent in Charleston is $898.

  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 6.3%.

  • The poverty rate in Charleston is 16.5%.

  • The average high in Charleston is 66.2° and the average low is 43.5°.

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

Crime in Charleston summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Charleston. Key points include:

  • There were 1,694 total crimes in Charleston in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Charleston is 3,662.5 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Charleston is 542.7 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Charleston is 3,119.9 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Charleston is 72.82% above the national average.

1,694
Total Crimes
72.82%
Above National Average

Crime In Charleston Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Charleston
/ 100k People
West Virginia
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 1,694 3,662.5 1,410.8 2,119.2
Violent Crime 251 542.7 248.8 359.0
Murder 6 13.0 5.3 5.0
Robbery 25 54.1 9.7 61.0
Aggravated Assault 193 417.3 185.8 256.0
Property Crime 1,443 3,119.9 1,161.9 1,760.0
Burglary 303 655.1 178.3 229.0
Larceny 1,055 2,281.0 905.1 1,272.0
Car Theft 85 183.8 78.5 259.0

Charleston, WV Cost Of Living

Cost of living in Charleston summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Charleston. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around West Virginia. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Charleston is 92 with 100 being average.

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

  • The median home value in Charleston is $159,921.

  • The median income in Charleston is $64,512.

92
Charleston's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In Charleston Comparison Table

Living Expense Charleston West Virginia National Average
Overall 92 87 100
Services 95 95 100
Groceries 99 99 100
Health 103 96 100
Housing 84 62 100
Transportation 93 93 100
Utilities 99 95 100

Charleston, WV Weather

  • The average high in Charleston is 66.2° and the average low is 43.5°.

  • There are 90.9 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 43.9 inches of precipitation each year with 31.5 inches of snow.

StatCharleston
Average Annual High66.2
Average Annual Low43.5
Annual Precipitation Days90.9
Average Annual Precipitation43.9
Average Annual Snowfall31.5
66.2°
Average High
90.9
Days of Rain

Charleston, WV Photos

Charleston Wa
Source: Wikipedia User Andreas Faessler | CC BY-SA 3.0
Kanawha County Courthouse
Source: Public Domain
Charleston Kanawha River
Source: Wikipedia User Tim Kiser (w:User:Malephe | CC BY-SA 2.5
Kanawha Valley Building
Source: Public Domain
West Virginia State Capitol Building
Source: Wikipedia User Analogue Kid | CC BY-SA 2.5
Charlestonwvzero
Source: Public Domain
Charlestontowncenter
Source: Wikipedia User Analogue Kid | CC BY-SA 2.5
Capitolstcharlestonwv
Source: Public Domain
Kanawha River Charleston
Source: Public Domain

2 Reviews & Comments About Charleston

Overall User Rating
4.5
/5

HomeSnacks User - 2018-08-27 19:20:21.630455

There are positives and negatives about the city. It can be beautiful in the good places, and it is exceptional in uniqueness and even the dining options.

The city is home to the cultural shenanigans of the state.


HomeSnacks User - 2018-09-10 16:59:33.464678

This place is absolutely beautiful in autumn The mountains are all full o colorful trees. The people are down to earth, friendly and helpful. Great places to eat. Very cool weather that time of year makes it relaxing.

The scenery is breath taking. See the mountains and colors

Review Where You Live

Rankings for Charleston in West Virginia

Locations Around Charleston

Map Of Charleston, WV

Best Places Around Charleston

1

St. Albans, WV
Population 10,637

2

Teays Valley, WV
Population 13,961

3

Dunbar, WV
Population 7,340

4

South Charleston, WV
Population 13,594

5

Nitro, WV
Population 6,941

6

Cross Lanes, WV
Population 10,172

Charleston Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Charleston

The current population in Charleston is 47,918. The population has decreased -6.8% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2023 47,918 -1.0%
2022 48,415 -1.3%
2021 49,055 3.8%
2020 47,273 -1.5%
2019 48,006 -1.5%
2018 48,734 -1.3%
2017 49,384 -1.6%
2016 50,210 -0.7%
2015 50,566 -0.7%
2014 50,911 -0.4%
2013 51,135 -0.2%
2012 51,224 -0.3%
2011 51,360 -0.1%
2010 51,432 -

Race / Ethnicity in Charleston

White
75.9% (36,392)
African American
11.8% (5,640)
American Indian
0.1% (27)
Asian
2.7% (1,282)
Hawaiian
0.1% (34)
Other
0.1% (48)
Two Or More
7.5% (3,570)
Hispanic
1.9% (925)

Charleston is:

  • 75.9% White with 36,392 White residents.

  • 11.8% African American with 5,640 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 27 American Indian residents.

  • 2.7% Asian with 1,282 Asian residents.

  • 0.1% Hawaiian with 34 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.1% Other with 48 Other residents.

  • 7.5% Two Or More with 3,570 Two Or More residents.

  • 1.9% Hispanic with 925 Hispanic residents.

Race Charleston WV USA
White 75.9% 90.2% 58.2%
African American 11.8% 3.2% 12.0%
American Indian 0.1% 0.1% 0.5%
Asian 2.7% 0.7% 5.7%
Hawaiian 0.1% 0.0% 0.2%
Other 0.1% 0.3% 0.5%
Two Or More 7.5% 3.4% 3.9%
Hispanic 1.9% 2.0% 19.0%

Gender in Charleston

Female
50.8% (24,353)
Male
49.2% (23,565)
  • Charleston is 50.8% female with 24,353 female residents.

  • Charleston is 49.2% male with 23,565 male residents.

Gender Charleston WV USA
Female 50.8% 50.1% 50.5%
Male 49.2% 49.9% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Charleston for adults over 25

  • 3.0% of adults in Charleston completed < 9th grade.

  • 5.0% of adults in Charleston completed 9-12th grade.

  • 23.0% of adults in Charleston completed high school / ged.

  • 19.0% of adults in Charleston completed some college.

  • 7.0% of adults in Charleston completed associate's degree.

  • 22.0% of adults in Charleston completed bachelor's degree.

  • 11.0% of adults in Charleston completed master's degree.

  • 8.0% of adults in Charleston completed professional degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in Charleston completed doctorate degree.

< 9th Grade
3.0% (1,437)
9-12th Grade
5.0% (2,395)
High School / GED
23.0% (11,021)
Some College
19.0% (9,104)
Associate's Degree
7.0% (3,354)
Bachelor's Degree
22.0% (10,541)
Master's Degree
11.0% (5,270)
Professional Degree
8.0% (3,833)
Doctorate Degree
2.0% (958)
Education Charleston WV USA
< 9th Grade 3.0% 4.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 5.0% 8.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 23.0% 39.0% 26.0%
Some College 19.0% 18.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 7.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 22.0% 14.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 11.0% 7.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 8.0% 1.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 2.0% 1.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Charleston, West Virginia

  • 6.7% of households in Charleston earn Less than $10,000.

  • 7.4% of households in Charleston earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 8.1% of households in Charleston earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 6.7% of households in Charleston earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 11.6% of households in Charleston earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 16.3% of households in Charleston earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 12.0% of households in Charleston earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 14.3% of households in Charleston earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 5.5% of households in Charleston earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 11.3% of households in Charleston earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
6.7% (321,077)
$10,000 to $14,999
7.4% (356,953)
$15,000 to $24,999
8.1% (389,445)
$25,000 to $34,999
6.7% (321,077)
$35,000 to $49,999
11.6% (556,640)
$50,000 to $74,999
16.3% (780,921)
$75,000 to $99,999
12.0% (575,593)
$100,000 to $149,999
14.3% (686,831)
$150,000 to $199,999
5.5% (261,736)
$200,000 or more
11.3% (541,522)
Income Charleston WV USA
Less than $10,000 6.7% 6.2% 4.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 7.4% 5.8% 3.6%
$15,000 to $24,999 8.1% 9.9% 6.6%
$25,000 to $34,999 6.7% 9.2% 6.8%
$35,000 to $49,999 11.6% 12.9% 10.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 16.3% 17.3% 15.7%
$75,000 to $99,999 12.0% 12.6% 12.7%
$100,000 to $149,999 14.3% 14.6% 17.4%
$150,000 to $199,999 5.5% 6.1% 9.3%
$200,000 or more 11.3% 5.4% 12.6%

Articles About West Virginia

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