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

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
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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 Expense Charleston West Virginia National Average
Overall 92 86 100
Services 97 95 100
Groceries 98 95 100
Health 82 61 100
Housing 95 95 100
Transportation 95 93 100
Utilities 99 93 100
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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.

Year Population % Change
2024 47,421 -1.0%
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 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.

Race Charleston WV USA
White 76.4% 89.7% 57.4%
African American 9.5% 3.1% 11.9%
American Indian 0.0% 0.1% 0.5%
Asian 2.6% 0.8% 5.9%
Hawaiian 0.1% 0.0% 0.2%
Other 0.1% 0.3% 0.6%
Two Or More 9.1% 3.9% 4.3%
Hispanic 2.2% 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.

Gender Charleston WV USA
Female 50.0% 50.1% 50.5%
Male 50.0% 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.

Education Charleston WV USA
< 9th Grade 1.0% 5.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 5.0% 7.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 22.0% 39.0% 26.0%
Some College 18.0% 17.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 8.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 24.0% 14.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 10.0% 7.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 9.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 3.0% 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.

Income Charleston WV USA
Less than $10,000 6.6% 6.2% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 6.9% 5.5% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 8.1% 9.4% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 6.3% 9.2% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 10.9% 12.4% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 17.1% 17.3% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 11.0% 12.7% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 14.9% 15.1% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 5.7% 6.3% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 12.4% 5.9% 13.4%

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