Charleston, WV
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around Charleston to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in Charleston, West Virginia

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. Here's a snapshot of Charleston based on the most recently available data.

47,421 Population
$163,657 Median home value
$65,812 Median income
92 Cost of living -8% vs US
$908 Median rent
6.5% Unemployment
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Charleston SnackAbility

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

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
Charleston
US

Crime In Charleston Comparison Table

StatisticCount
Raw
Charleston
/ 100k People
West Virginia
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K1,6943,662.51,410.82,119.2
Violent Crime251542.7248.8359.0
Murder613.05.35.0
Robbery2554.19.761.0
Aggravated Assault193417.3185.8256.0
Property Crime1,4433,119.91,161.91,760.0
Burglary303655.1178.3229.0
Larceny1,0552,281.0905.11,272.0
Car Theft85183.878.5259.0
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Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

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 $163,657.

  • The median income in Charleston is $65,812.

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

Cost Of Living In Charleston Comparison Table

Living ExpenseCharlestonWest VirginiaNational Average
Overall9286100
Services9795100
Groceries9895100
Health8261100
Housing9595100
Transportation9593100
Utilities9993100
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Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 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

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

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

HomeSnacks User · 2018-08-27 19:20:21.630455
rating starrating starrating starrating star

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
rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

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

Rankings & Articles For Charleston

Locations Around Charleston

Map Of Charleston, WV

Best Places Around Charleston

1

St. Albans, WV
Population 10,522

$148,169-9% vs Charleston
2

Teays Valley, WV
Population 14,151

$298,195+82% vs Charleston
3

Dunbar, WV
Population 7,254

$123,692-24% vs Charleston
4

South Charleston, WV
Population 13,457

$167,047+2% vs Charleston
5

Nitro, WV
Population 6,853

$140,562-14% vs Charleston
6

Cross Lanes, WV
Population 9,671

$164,972+1% vs Charleston

Charleston Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Charleston

The current population in Charleston is 47,421. The population has decreased 7.8% from 2010.

YearPopulation% Change
202447,421-1.0%
202347,918-1.0%
202248,415-1.3%
202149,0553.8%
202047,273-1.5%
201948,006-1.5%
201848,734-1.3%
201749,384-1.6%
201650,210-0.7%
201550,566-0.7%
201450,911-0.4%
201351,135-0.2%
201251,224-0.3%
201151,360-0.1%
201051,432-

Race / Ethnicity in Charleston

White 76.4% (36,221)
African American 9.5% (4,520)
American Indian 0.0% (9)
Asian 2.6% (1,233)
Hawaiian 0.1% (43)
Other 0.1% (53)
Two Or More 9.1% (4,297)
Hispanic 2.2% (1,045)
See the full breakdown

Charleston is:

  • 76.4% White with 36,221 White residents.

  • 9.5% African American with 4,520 African American residents.

  • 0.0% American Indian with 9 American Indian residents.

  • 2.6% Asian with 1,233 Asian residents.

  • 0.1% Hawaiian with 43 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.1% Other with 53 Other residents.

  • 9.1% Two Or More with 4,297 Two Or More residents.

  • 2.2% Hispanic with 1,045 Hispanic residents.

RaceCharlestonWVUSA
White76.4%89.7%57.4%
African American9.5%3.1%11.9%
American Indian0.0%0.1%0.5%
Asian2.6%0.8%5.9%
Hawaiian0.1%0.0%0.2%
Other0.1%0.3%0.6%
Two Or More9.1%3.9%4.3%
Hispanic2.2%2.1%19.3%

Gender in Charleston

Female 50.0% (23,707)
Male 50.0% (23,714)
See the full breakdown
  • Charleston is 50.0% female with 23,707 female residents.

  • Charleston is 50.0% male with 23,714 male residents.

GenderCharlestonWVUSA
Female50.0%50.1%50.5%
Male50.0%49.9%49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Charleston for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 1.0% (474)
9-12th Grade 5.0% (2,371)
High School / GED 22.0% (10,432)
Some College 18.0% (8,535)
Associate's Degree 8.0% (3,793)
Bachelor's Degree 24.0% (11,381)
Master's Degree 10.0% (4,742)
Professional Degree 9.0% (4,267)
Doctorate Degree 3.0% (1,422)
See the full breakdown
  • 1.0% of adults in Charleston completed < 9th grade.

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

  • 22.0% of adults in Charleston completed high school / ged.

  • 18.0% of adults in Charleston completed some college.

  • 8.0% of adults in Charleston completed associate's degree.

  • 24.0% of adults in Charleston completed bachelor's degree.

  • 10.0% of adults in Charleston completed master's degree.

  • 9.0% of adults in Charleston completed professional degree.

  • 3.0% of adults in Charleston completed doctorate degree.

EducationCharlestonWVUSA
< 9th Grade1.0%5.0%4.0%
9-12th Grade5.0%7.0%6.0%
High School / GED22.0%39.0%26.0%
Some College18.0%17.0%19.0%
Associate's Degree8.0%8.0%9.0%
Bachelor's Degree24.0%14.0%22.0%
Master's Degree10.0%7.0%10.0%
Professional Degree9.0%2.0%2.0%
Doctorate Degree3.0%1.0%2.0%

Household Income For Charleston, West Virginia

Less than $10,000 6.6% (315,301)
$10,000 to $14,999 6.9% (326,081)
$15,000 to $24,999 8.1% (385,368)
$25,000 to $34,999 6.3% (300,704)
$35,000 to $49,999 10.9% (514,723)
$50,000 to $74,999 17.1% (812,283)
$75,000 to $99,999 11.0% (521,460)
$100,000 to $149,999 14.9% (707,182)
$150,000 to $199,999 5.7% (271,285)
$200,000 or more 12.4% (587,709)
See the full breakdown
  • 6.6% of households in Charleston earn Less than $10,000.

  • 6.9% of households in Charleston earn $10,000 to $14,999.

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

  • 6.3% of households in Charleston earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 10.9% of households in Charleston earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 17.1% of households in Charleston earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 11.0% of households in Charleston earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 14.9% of households in Charleston earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 5.7% of households in Charleston earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 12.4% of households in Charleston earn $200,000 or more.

IncomeCharlestonWVUSA
Less than $10,0006.6%6.2%5.0%
$10,000 to $14,9996.9%5.5%3.4%
$15,000 to $24,9998.1%9.4%6.3%
$25,000 to $34,9996.3%9.2%6.6%
$35,000 to $49,99910.9%12.4%10.1%
$50,000 to $74,99917.1%17.3%15.5%
$75,000 to $99,99911.0%12.7%12.6%
$100,000 to $149,99914.9%15.1%17.5%
$150,000 to $199,9995.7%6.3%9.6%
$200,000 or more12.4%5.9%13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)