Charleston, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Charleston, West Virginia had a total population of 47,421, the 1st largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $65,812, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Charleston is the 1st largest city in West Virginia with a population of 47,421.
- 45.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in West Virginia.
Charleston Quick Facts
How Charleston 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 | 47,918 | 47,421 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $64,512 | $65,812 | +2.0% |
| Median home value | $187,300 | $203,300 | +8.5% |
How Charleston 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+)
Charleston Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Kanawha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Charleston | 13,457 | $63,884 | 16.9% | $155,400 |
| St. Albans | 10,522 | $53,972 | 14.1% | $140,800 |
| Cross Lanes | 9,671 | $63,537 | 5.1% | $153,800 |
| Dunbar | 7,254 | $58,379 | 14.9% | $119,600 |
| Nitro | 6,853 | $53,848 | 20.2% | $128,900 |
| Pinch | 4,037 | $76,741 | 5.1% | $221,500 |
| Sissonville | 3,593 | $66,944 | 23.4% | $180,800 |
| Alum Creek | 1,749 | $74,231 | 11.0% | $159,300 |
| Chesapeake | 1,702 | $60,927 | 21.5% | $84,500 |
| Belle | 1,611 | $77,031 | 3.3% | $107,100 |
Cities Similar to Charleston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington | 45,787 | $45,100 | $127,200 | 35.3% | 25.7% |
| Parkersburg | 29,240 | $49,025 | $121,600 | 21.0% | 22.5% |
| Morgantown | 30,236 | $44,727 | $259,400 | 58.5% | 30.4% |
| Wheeling | 26,350 | $48,590 | $146,500 | 34.1% | 20.5% |
| Martinsburg | 18,904 | $59,555 | $240,000 | 24.7% | 19.8% |
Population Overview
Charleston is a mid-sized community located in West Virginia, within Kanawha County. The total population is 47,421. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charleston is 43.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Charleston is $65,812. This is 10% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.8%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $203,300. Housing costs are 25% higher than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 63.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Charleston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (9.5% vs 3.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.6% vs 0.8%).
Education
45.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Charleston in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 87% 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 93.2%. Notably, 21.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charleston, 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 Charleston, West Virginia?
Charleston, West Virginia has a population of 47,421 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charleston, WV?
The median household income in Charleston is $65,812, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Charleston, WV?
The poverty rate in Charleston is 15.8%. This means approximately 7,172 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charleston, West Virginia?
Charleston's population is 76.4% White, 9.5% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charleston, WV?
The median home value in Charleston is $203,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Charleston, West Virginia?
45.2% of adults (25+) in Charleston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.