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CITY · 2020 ACS

Charleston

West Virginia · 48,864 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 $49,769. Population has declined 9% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $156,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.7
US median: 38.8
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
48,864
−9%since 2000
from 53,421 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,556 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 1,701 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.7
+5%since 2000
from 40.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
46K49K52K55K58K1990201020202024Charleston
202447K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,769
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,009 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,204
+43%since 2000
from $26,017 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
33.6%
+7.3 ptssince 2009
from 26.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.8%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 16.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services5.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade5.2%
US avg: 10%
Public administration4.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade2.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 2%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$156,900
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $100,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$751
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $439 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
56.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 58.1% in 2000
43.4% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+6%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic74.1%(36,216)
Black14.6%(7,136)
Hispanic / Latino2%(969)
Asian2.6%(1,254)
Other4.1%(2,018)
Diversity Score49.4%(24,161)
Diversity Score
49
+30%since 2000
from 38 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.6%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 32.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.9%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 83.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
19.4%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.1 min
+61%since 2000
from 10.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
74.8%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 76.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
16.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.5%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 7.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.9%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 61.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
48.0%
−25.3 ptssince 2009
from 73.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
Female
52.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
Foreign born
4.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.6%
−81.7 ptssince 2013
from 87.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Charleston to nearby cities

CHARLESTON VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884+28%
Home value$155,400−1%
Population13,072−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Cross Lanes
Income$63,537+28%
Home value$153,800−2%
Population9,671−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
St. Albans
Income$53,972+8%
Home value$140,800−10%
Population10,210−78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Teays Valley
Income$108,741+118%
Home value$278,000+77%
Population14,151−69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Charleston, West Virginia?

Charleston, West Virginia has about 48,864 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Charleston, West Virginia earns about $49,769 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 $156,900, and the typical rent is about $751 a month.

How educated are people in Charleston, West Virginia?

About 41.6% 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 19.8% 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 8,423 residents, a change of about -15 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 →