Charleston, WV

Census Place

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2021 Population

49,055

3.77% 1-year growth

US Senator

Joe Manchin

Democratic Party

US Senator

Shelley Moore Capito

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

41.7

0.95% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

17.5%

11.7% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$54,101

8.7% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$157,000

0.0637% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

22,260

2.5% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Charleston, WV had a population of 49.1k people with a median age of 41.7 and a median household income of $54,101. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Charleston, WV grew from 47,273 to 49,055, a 3.77% increase and its median household income grew from $49,769 to $54,101, a 8.7% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Charleston, WV are White (Non-Hispanic) (77.1%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (14.1%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.88%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.45%), and White (Hispanic) (0.554%).

None of the households in Charleston, WV reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.2% of the residents in Charleston, WV are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Charleston, WV are University of Charleston (985 degrees awarded in 2021), Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston (75 degrees), and Garnet Career Center (64 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Charleston, WV was $157,000, and the homeownership rate was 60.7%.

Most people in Charleston, WV drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 17.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Charleston, WV was 2 cars per household.

United States West Virginia Kanawha County, WV Charleston, WV Charleston City PUMA, WV

Population & Diversity

Charleston, WV is home to a population of 49.1k people, from which 98.2% are citizens. As of 2021, 4.59% of Charleston, WV residents were born outside of the country (2.25k people).

In 2021, there were 5.47 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (37.8k people) in Charleston, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.91k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 2.4k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.2%

2021 Citizenship

98.3%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 98.2% of Charleston, WV residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Charleston, WV was 98.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Charleston, WV compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Charleston, WV

White (Non-Hispanic)
37.8k ± 769
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
6.91k ± 734
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
2.4k ± 531

1.26%

Hispanic Population

616 people

1.26% of the people in Charleston, WV are hispanic (616 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Charleston, WV as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for West Virginia.

Most Common Origin

India
2,200 ± 1,151 people
China
1,989 ± 1,094 people
Mexico
1,564 ± 971 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of West Virginia was India, the natal country of 2,200 West Virginia residents, followed by China with 1,989 and Mexico with 1,564.

Foreign-Born Population

4.59%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

2.25k people

4.14%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.96k people

As of 2021, 4.59% of Charleston, WV residents (2.25k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Charleston, WV was 4.14%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Charleston, WV compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
739 ± 165
Gulf War (1990s)
436 ± 169
Gulf War (2001-)
339 ± 152

Charleston, WV has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.69 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Charleston, WV employs 22.3k people. The largest industries in Charleston, WV are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,165 people), Retail Trade (2,469 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (2,273 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($111,333), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($111,042), and Utilities ($70,000).

Males in West Virginia have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,027. The income inequality in West Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.447, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

22.3k

2021 Value

± 1,145

2.5%

1 Year growth

± 7.12%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Charleston, WV grew at a rate of 2.5%, from 21.7k employees to 22.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Charleston, WV, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,088 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,550 people), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (1,977 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Charleston, WV.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in West Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

22.3k

2021 Value

± 1,145

2.5%

1 Year growth

± 7.12%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Charleston, WV grew at a rate of 2.5%, from 21.7k employees to 22.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Charleston, WV, are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,165 people), Retail Trade (2,469 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (2,273 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Charleston, WV, though some of these residents may live in Charleston, WV and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$41,292

Median earning men ± $3,118

$38,968

Median earning women ± $3,422

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($111,278), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($64,787), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($64,038).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Construction ($80,777), Information ($66,520), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($52,083).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in West Virginia. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in West Virginia.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from West Virginia to other states, or from other states to West Virginia.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Coal-n.e.c.
$13.7B
Pharmaceuticals
$6.8B
Coal
$5.5B

In 2020, the top outbound West Virginia product (by dollars) was Coal-n.e.c. with $13.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($6.8B) and Coal ($5.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound West Virginia products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for West Virginia.

$68.8B

2020 Value in West Virginia

$114B

Projected 2050 Value in West Virginia

66.4% growth

In 2020, total outbound West Virginia trade was $68.8B. This is expected to increase 66.4% to $114B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound West Virginia trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from West Virginia to other states, or from other states to West Virginia.

Most Common Trade Partners

Ohio
$11.9B
Pennsylvania
$6.59B
Virginia
$5.87B

In 2020, the top outbound West Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Ohio with $11.9B, followed by Pennsylvania with $6.59B and Virginia and $5.87B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that West Virginia shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in West Virginia went to Donald J. Trump with 68.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (29.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.34%).

Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito are the senators currently representing the state of West Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

West Virginia is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Charleston, WV. Showing the available data for West Virginia.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (68.6%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (29.7%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.34%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in West Virginia went to Donald J. Trump with 68.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (29.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.34%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in West Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from West Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

Joe Manchin

Senator from West Virginia

Assumed office on November 15, 2010
Elected to the seat to succeed Carte Goodwin, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Robert Byrd.

Shelley Moore Capito

Senator from West Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito are the senators currently representing West Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in West Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from West Virginia

West Virginia is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for West Virginia have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Charleston, WV awarded 1,179 degrees. The student population of Charleston, WV in 2021 is skewed towards men, with 1,747 male students and 1,404 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Charleston, WV are White (652 and 57.2%), followed by Unknown (264 and 23.2%), Black or African American (123 and 10.8%), and Hispanic or Latino (51 and 4.47%).

The largest universities in Charleston, WV by number of degrees awarded are University of Charleston (985 and 83.5%), Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston (75 and 6.36%), and Garnet Career Center (64 and 5.43%).

The most popular majors in Charleston, WV are Organizational Leadership (333 and 28.2%), Other Business, Management, Marketing, & Related Support Services (159 and 13.5%), and Registered Nursing (141 and 12%).

The median tuition cost in Charleston, WV for private four year colleges is $21,000.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Charleston, WV, the percentage of applicants admitted was 69.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 17.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 3,151 (55.4% men and 44.6% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 3,151 students enrolled in Charleston, WV, 55.4% men and 44.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,792 records, of which 51.8% were women and 48.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
54 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
45 degrees awarded
Organizational Leadership
323 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Charleston, WV was Registered Nursing with 54 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Charleston, WV according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Charleston
985 degrees awarded
Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston
75 degrees awarded
Garnet Career Center
64 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Charleston with 985 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 646 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Charleston, WV, which is 1.21 times more than the 533 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 652 degrees mean that there were 2.47 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 264 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($21,000) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($450) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,800) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

Measure

In 2021, 0.603% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.522% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (575k), Some college (293k), and Secondary Education (220k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Charleston, WV was $157,000 in 2021, which is 0.641 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $156,900 to $157,000, a 0.0637% increase. The homeownership rate in Charleston, WV is 60.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Charleston, WV have an average commute time of 17.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Charleston, WV is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Charleston, WV is $54,101. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Charleston, WV was Census Tract 19.01 with a value of $106,007, followed by Census Tract 19.02 and Census Tract 15, with respective values of $92,500 and $86,209.

Housing

Property

$157,000

Median Property Value 2021

±$6,873

$13,216

Median Property Taxes

±$826

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Charleston, WV the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Charleston, WV compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

60.7%

Homeownership

2021

65.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 60.7% of the housing units in Charleston, WV were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 60.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Charleston, WV compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 19.01
Census Tract 19.02
Census Tract 15

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Charleston, WV was Census Tract 19.01 with a value of $106,007, followed by Census Tract 19.02 and Census Tract 15, with respective values of $92,500 and $86,209.

The following map shows all of the places in Charleston, WV colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$54,101

Median Household Income

± $2,969

21.8k

Number of Households

± 1,135

In 2021, the median household income of the 21.8k households in Charleston, WV grew to $54,101 from the previous year's value of $49,769.

The following chart displays the households in Charleston, WV distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Charleston, WV is from West Virginia.

0.447

2021 Wage GINI in West Virginia

0.441

2020 Wage GINI in West Virginia

In 2021, the income inequality in West Virginia was 0.447 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.26% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for West Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in West Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in West Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (74.8%)
Carpooled (8.11%)
Worked At Home (6.94%)

In 2021, 74.8% of workers in Charleston, WV drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.11%) and those who worked at home (6.94%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

17.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Charleston, WV have a shorter commute time (17.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.51% of the workforce in Charleston, WV have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Charleston, WV compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Charleston, WV distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Charleston, WV have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

17.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Charleston, WV (8.31k out of 47.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Charleston, WV is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

94.9% of the population of Charleston, WV has health coverage, with 45.2% on employee plans, 21.5% on Medicaid, 14.7% on Medicare, 12.2% on non-group plans, and 1.33% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Kanawha County, WV see 736 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.272% increase from the previous year (734 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1109 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 444 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Kanawha County, WV.

736 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Kanawha County, WV

Primary care physicians in Kanawha County, WV see an average of 736 patients per year. This represents a 0.272% increase from the previous year (734 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Kanawha County, WV in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.7% under 18 years, 19.9% between 18 and 34 years, 39.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.7% were men and 52.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.06%

Uninsured

45.2%

Employer Coverage

21.5%

Medicaid

14.7%

Medicare

12.2%

Non-Group

1.33%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Charleston, WV declined by 10.2% from 5.64% to 5.06%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Charleston, WV changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.