Charleston, WV
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2023-12-15

Living In Charleston, West Virginia Summary

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. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Charleston:

  • The population in Charleston is 48,415.

  • The median home value in Charleston is $154,944.

  • The median income in Charleston is $58,902.

  • The cost of living in Charleston is 95 which is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median rent in Charleston is $870.

  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 5.8%.

  • The poverty rate in Charleston is 17.0%.

  • The average high in Charleston is 66.2° and the average low is 43.5°.

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Charleston SnackAbility

6
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
6
Affordability
8
Diversity
8
Safety
3
Amenities
8.5
Education
8.5
Commute
9
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Charleston, WV Crime Report

Crime in Charleston summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Charleston. Key points include:

  • There were 2,245 total crimes in Charleston in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Charleston is 4,741.3 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Charleston is 637.8 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Charleston is 4,103.5 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Charleston is 104.00% above the national average.

2,245
Total Crimes
104.00%
Above National Average

Crime In Charleston Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Charleston
/ 100k People
West Virginia
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 2,245 4,741.3 1,755.3 2,324.2
Violent Crime 302 637.8 355.9 369.8
Murder 10 21.1 6.6 6.3
Robbery 35 73.9 20.7 66.1
Aggravated Assault 213 449.8 282.1 268.2
Property Crime 1,943 4,103.5 1,399.4 1,954.4
Burglary 423 893.3 273.3 269.8
Larceny 1,375 2,903.9 998.9 1,401.9
Car Theft 145 306.2 127.2 282.7

Charleston, WV Cost Of Living

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 95 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 $154,944.

  • The median income in Charleston is $58,902.

95
Charleston's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In Charleston Comparison Table

Living Expense Charleston West Virginia National Average
Overall 95 89 100
Services 94 96 100
Groceries 103 98 100
Health 101 99 100
Housing 79 69 100
Transportation 125 100 100
Utilities 99 95 100

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

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

Overall User Rating
4.5
/5
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HomeSnacks User - 2018-08-27 19:20:21.630455

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

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

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Rankings for Charleston in West Virginia

Locations Around Charleston

Map Of Charleston, WV

Best Places Around Charleston

1

St. Albans, WV
Population 10,753

2

Teays Valley, WV
Population 13,816

3

Dunbar, WV
Population 7,418

4

South Charleston, WV
Population 13,527

5

Nitro, WV
Population 6,540

6

Cross Lanes, WV
Population 10,037

Charleston Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Charleston

The current population in Charleston is 48,415. The population has decreased -5.9% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2022 48,415 -0.7%
2021 48,734 -1.3%
2020 49,384 -1.6%
2019 50,210 -0.7%
2018 50,566 -0.7%
2017 50,911 -0.4%
2016 51,135 -0.2%
2015 51,224 -0.3%
2014 51,360 -0.1%
2013 51,432 -

Race / Ethnicity in Charleston

White
77.1% (37,349)
African American
12.8% (6,211)
American Indian
0.1% (70)
Asian
2.5% (1,210)
Hawaiian
0.1% (30)
Other
0.0% (0)
Two Or More
5.7% (2,780)
Hispanic
1.6% (765)

Charleston is:

  • 77.1% White with 37,349 White residents.

  • 12.8% African American with 6,211 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 70 American Indian residents.

  • 2.5% Asian with 1,210 Asian residents.

  • 0.1% Hawaiian with 30 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.0% Other with 0 Other residents.

  • 5.7% Two Or More with 2,780 Two Or More residents.

  • 1.6% Hispanic with 765 Hispanic residents.

Race Charleston WV USA
White 77.1% 90.7% 58.9%
African American 12.8% 3.4% 12.1%
American Indian 0.1% 0.1% 0.6%
Asian 2.5% 0.8% 5.7%
Hawaiian 0.1% 0.0% 0.2%
Other 0.0% 0.2% 0.4%
Two Or More 5.7% 3.1% 3.5%
Hispanic 1.6% 1.8% 18.7%

Gender in Charleston

Female
50.7% (24,553)
Male
49.3% (23,862)
  • Charleston is 50.7% female with 24,553 female residents.

  • Charleston is 49.3% male with 23,862 male residents.

Gender Charleston WV USA
Female 50.7% 50.1% 50.4%
Male 49.3% 49.9% 49.6%

Highest level of educational attainment in Charleston for adults over 25

  • 3.0% of adults in Charleston completed < 9th grade.

  • 5.0% of adults in Charleston completed 9-12th grade.

  • 24.0% of adults in Charleston completed high school / ged.

  • 19.0% of adults in Charleston completed some college.

  • 6.0% of adults in Charleston completed associate's degree.

  • 22.0% of adults in Charleston completed bachelor's degree.

  • 11.0% of adults in Charleston completed master's degree.

  • 8.0% of adults in Charleston completed professional degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in Charleston completed doctorate degree.

< 9th Grade
3.0% (1,452)
9-12th Grade
5.0% (2,420)
High School / GED
24.0% (11,619)
Some College
19.0% (9,198)
Associate's Degree
6.0% (2,904)
Bachelor's Degree
22.0% (10,651)
Master's Degree
11.0% (5,325)
Professional Degree
8.0% (3,873)
Doctorate Degree
2.0% (968)
Education Charleston WV USA
< 9th Grade 3.0% 3.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 5.0% 8.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 24.0% 40.0% 26.0%
Some College 19.0% 18.0% 20.0%
Associate's Degree 6.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 22.0% 14.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 11.0% 7.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 8.0% 1.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 2.0% 1.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Charleston, West Virginia

  • 8.2% of households in Charleston earn Less than $10,000.

  • 6.9% of households in Charleston earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 10.3% of households in Charleston earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 8.0% of households in Charleston earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 11.6% of households in Charleston earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 15.5% of households in Charleston earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 10.0% of households in Charleston earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 13.7% of households in Charleston earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 5.0% of households in Charleston earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 10.8% of households in Charleston earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
8.2% (397,187)
$10,000 to $14,999
6.9% (331,954)
$15,000 to $24,999
10.3% (500,269)
$25,000 to $34,999
8.0% (385,610)
$35,000 to $49,999
11.6% (560,604)
$50,000 to $74,999
15.5% (751,405)
$75,000 to $99,999
10.0% (486,465)
$100,000 to $149,999
13.7% (662,572)
$150,000 to $199,999
5.0% (244,234)
$200,000 or more
10.8% (521,197)
Income Charleston WV USA
Less than $10,000 8.2% 6.5% 4.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 6.9% 6.1% 3.8%
$15,000 to $24,999 10.3% 10.6% 7.0%
$25,000 to $34,999 8.0% 9.9% 7.4%
$35,000 to $49,999 11.6% 12.9% 10.7%
$50,000 to $74,999 15.5% 17.5% 16.1%
$75,000 to $99,999 10.0% 12.2% 12.8%
$100,000 to $149,999 13.7% 14.1% 17.1%
$150,000 to $199,999 5.0% 5.5% 8.8%
$200,000 or more 10.8% 4.8% 11.4%

Articles About West Virginia

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