CensusEasy
CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Charleston

West Virginia · 53,421 residents · 31.397 sq mi
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The short version

Charleston has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $34,009. Population has declined 7% since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $100,800. With a median age of 40.8, the population is older than the US median of 35.2. 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 40.8
US median: 35.2
More educated
33% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

53,421
−7%since 1990
from 57,287 in 1990
1990 – 2025
1,701 / sq mi
−7%since 1990
from 1,825 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
40.8
+9%since 1990
from 37.6 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
46K49K52K55K58K1990201020202024Charleston
202447K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$34,009
+9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $23,584 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$26,017
+62%since 1990
from $16,067 in 1990
US average: $21,522
16.7%
−2.1 ptssince 1990
from 18.8% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$100,800
+18%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $64,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$439
+1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $329 in 1990
US average: $602
58.1%
+2.6 ptssince 1990
from 55.5% in 1990
41.9% rent
3.0
+8%since 1990
from 2.7 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Charleston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic84.1%(48,190)
Black14.2%(8,136)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(329)
Asian1.3%(729)
Diversity Score35%(20,071)
2000
White, non-Hispanic80.1%(42,810)
Black15%(7,998)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(432)
Asian1.8%(974)
Diversity Score38%(20,293)
38
+8%since 1990
from 35 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

32.6%
+4.0 ptssince 1990
from 28.6% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
83.8%
+6.6 ptssince 1990
from 77.2% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
15.0%
+3.9 ptssince 1990
from 11.1% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

10.6 min
−28%since 1990
from 14.6 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Charleston, West Virginia?

Charleston, West Virginia has about 53,421 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Charleston, West Virginia?

The typical household in Charleston, West Virginia earns about $34,009 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Charleston, West Virginia expensive?

In Charleston, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $100,800, and the typical rent is about $439 a month.

How educated are people in Charleston, West Virginia?

About 32.6% of adults age 25 and over in Charleston, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Charleston, West Virginia?

About 16.7% of people in Charleston, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Charleston, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Charleston, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 3,866 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →