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CITY · 2010 ACS

Charleston

West Virginia · 51,400 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 $42,133. Population has declined 4% since 2000. Median home value is $131,500. 36% 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: $52,703
Older
median age 41.7
US median: 37.2
More educated
36% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
51,400
−4%since 2000
from 53,421 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,637 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 1,701 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
41.7
+2%since 2000
from 40.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
46K49K52K55K58K1990201020202024Charleston
202447K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,133
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,009 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,174
+24%since 2000
from $26,017 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
26.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 26.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
16.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 16.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.530
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information9.5%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services7.7%
US avg: 7%
Public administration5.5%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance4.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Retail trade3.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade3.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Arts, entertainment, food3.2%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 3.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing1.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$131,500
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $100,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$551
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $439 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
34.9%
−23.1 ptssince 2000
from 58.1% in 2000
42.6% rent
Vacancy rate
12.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
17.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
38.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 40.5% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.1
+5%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Charleston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic80.1%(42,810)
Black15%(7,998)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(432)
Asian1.8%(974)
Other0%
Diversity Score38%(20,293)
2010
White, non-Hispanic77.6%(39,900)
Black15.3%(7,867)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(694)
Asian2.3%(1,178)
Other4.4%(2,284)
Diversity Score48%(24,665)
Diversity Score
48
+26%since 2000
from 38 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.4%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 32.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
89.1%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 83.8% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
17.3%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.5 min
+56%since 2000
from 10.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
76.1%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 76.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.9%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
4.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
4.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
17.2%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
17.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.9% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
46.6%
−26.7 ptssince 2009
from 73.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
Female
52.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
Foreign born
3.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.1%
−36.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Pop 45,973
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Pop 45,733
Titusville
Pop 49,800
Places similar to Charleston
Head to head

Compare Charleston to nearby cities

CHARLESTON VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884+52%
Home value$155,400+18%
Population13,072−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Cross Lanes
Income$63,537+51%
Home value$153,800+17%
Population9,671−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
St. Albans
Income$53,972+28%
Home value$140,800+7%
Population10,210−78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Teays Valley
Income$108,741+158%
Home value$278,000+111%
Population14,151−69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Charleston, West Virginia?

Charleston, West Virginia has about 51,400 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Charleston, West Virginia earns about $42,133 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 $131,500, and the typical rent is about $551 a month.

How educated are people in Charleston, West Virginia?

About 36.4% 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 16.9% 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 5,887 residents, a change of about -10 percent over that period.

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

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