South Charleston, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Charleston, West Virginia had a total population of 13,457, the 12th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $63,884, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 37.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in West Virginia.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
South Charleston Quick Facts
How South 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 | 13,594 | 13,457 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $59,616 | $63,884 | +7.2% |
| Median home value | $144,800 | $155,400 | +7.3% |
How South 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
South Charleston Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Kanawha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 47,421 | $65,812 | 15.8% | $203,300 |
| 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 South Charleston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna | 10,518 | $60,388 | $154,300 | 31.4% | 10.2% |
| Clarksburg | 15,549 | $47,386 | $129,900 | 25.7% | 23.5% |
| Fairmont | 18,221 | $63,032 | $163,800 | 32.9% | 17.4% |
| Teays Valley | 14,151 | $108,741 | $278,000 | 46.7% | 5.1% |
| St. Albans | 10,522 | $53,972 | $140,800 | 24.3% | 14.1% |
Population Overview
South Charleston is a small city located in West Virginia, within Kanawha County. The total population is 13,457. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Charleston is 41.7 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Charleston is $63,884. This is 7% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 1% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $155,400. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, South Charleston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
South Charleston has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 5.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (5.1% vs 3.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.5% vs 0.8%).
Education
37.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places South Charleston in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 57% 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 95.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South 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 South Charleston, West Virginia?
South Charleston, West Virginia has a population of 13,457 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Charleston, WV?
The median household income in South Charleston is $63,884, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Charleston, WV?
The poverty rate in South Charleston is 16.9%. This means approximately 2,265 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Charleston, West Virginia?
South Charleston's population is 86.4% White, 5.1% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Charleston, WV?
The median home value in South Charleston is $155,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is South Charleston, West Virginia?
37.8% of adults (25+) in South Charleston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.