Charles Town, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Charles Town, West Virginia had a total population of 7,337, the 21st largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $89,263, which is 50% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in West Virginia.
Charles Town Quick Facts
How Charles Town Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,854 | 7,337 | +7.0% |
| Median household income | $94,830 | $89,263 | -5.9% |
| Median home value | $359,500 | $377,700 | +5.1% |
How Charles Town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Charles Town Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranson | 5,729 | $89,523 | 12.0% | $242,700 |
| Shannondale | 3,465 | $80,000 | 13.3% | $293,600 |
| Shepherdstown | 1,460 | $63,750 | 6.2% | $485,200 |
| Bolivar | 1,215 | $83,068 | 10.5% | $251,600 |
| Shenandoah Junction | 1,141 | $94,821 | 8.2% | $192,900 |
| Middleway | 479 | $123,917 | 4.8% | $298,800 |
| Harpers Ferry | 350 | $116,587 | 2.3% | $529,100 |
Cities Similar to Charles Town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookhaven | 6,212 | $88,438 | $261,000 | 40.5% | 10.5% |
| Hurricane | 6,855 | $71,167 | $210,500 | 37.5% | 8.5% |
| Pea Ridge | 6,988 | $65,811 | $188,500 | 47.6% | 9.8% |
| Dunbar | 7,254 | $58,379 | $119,600 | 29.2% | 14.9% |
| Ranson | 5,729 | $89,523 | $242,700 | 18.9% | 12.0% |
Population Overview
Charles Town is a small city located in West Virginia, within Jefferson County. The total population is 7,337. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charles Town is 38.5 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Charles Town is $89,263. This is 50% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 61% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $377,700. Housing costs are 132% higher than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 74.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Charles Town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (13.9% vs 3.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (13.9% vs 2.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.8% vs 0.8%).
Education
36.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 24.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charles Town, West Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Charles Town, West Virginia?
Charles Town, West Virginia has a population of 7,337 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charles Town, WV?
The median household income in Charles Town is $89,263, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Charles Town, WV?
The poverty rate in Charles Town is 6.5%. This means approximately 462 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charles Town, West Virginia?
Charles Town's population is 66.0% White, 13.9% Black, 13.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charles Town, WV?
The median home value in Charles Town is $377,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Charles Town, West Virginia?
36.1% of adults (25+) in Charles Town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.