Charleston, WV

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2024 Population

205,398

US Senator

Shelley Moore Capito

Republican Party

US Senator

Jim Justice

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

0.228% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

16.2%

2.21% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$60,117

3.49% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$141,100

9.46% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

86,175

0.121% 1-year decline

About

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.

99.3% of the residents in Charleston, WV are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Charleston, WV are University of Charleston (1,119 degrees awarded in 2024), BridgeValley Community & Technical College (376 degrees), and West Virginia State University (325 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Charleston, WV was $141,100, and the homeownership rate was 72.2%.

Most people in Charleston, WV drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Charleston, WV was 2 cars per household.

Charleston, WV borders Beckley, WV, Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, and Logan, WV.

United States West Virginia

Population & Diversity

Charleston, WV is home to a population of 205k people, from which 99.3% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.76% of Charleston, WV residents were born outside of the country (3.62k people).

In 2024, there were 19.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (180k people) in Charleston, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 9.16k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 8.63k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.3%

2024 Citizenship

99.4%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.3% of Charleston, WV residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Charleston, WV was 99.4%, 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)
180k ± 817
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
9.16k ± 722
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
8.63k ± 694

1.44%

Hispanic Population

2.95k people

1.44% of the people in Charleston, WV are hispanic (2.95k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Charleston, WV as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
2,614 ± 1,254 people
Philippines
2,231 ± 1,159 people
India
2,211 ± 1,154 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of West Virginia was Mexico, the natal country of 2,614 West Virginia residents, followed by Philippines with 2,231 and India with 2,211.

Foreign-Born Population

1.76%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

3.62k people

1.59%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

3.3k people

As of 2024, 1.76% of Charleston, WV residents (3.62k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Charleston, WV was 1.59%, 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
4,241 ± 414
Gulf War (2001-)
2,261 ± 456
Gulf War (1990s)
1,510 ± 272

Charleston, WV has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.88 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Charleston, WV.

Health

95.1% of the population of Charleston, WV has health coverage, with 41.7% on employee plans, 23.4% on Medicaid, 17.3% on Medicare, 11.3% on non-group plans, and 1.41% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in West Virginia see 1,319 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,319 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1705 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 506 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,319 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in West Virginia

Primary care physicians in West Virginia see an average of 1,319 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,319 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.3% under 18 years, 18.5% between 18 and 34 years, 38.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

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

Uninsured People

4.88%

Uninsured

41.7%

Employer Coverage

23.4%

Medicaid

17.3%

Medicare

11.3%

Non-Group

1.41%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Charleston, WV grew by 1.07% from 4.82% to 4.88%.

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.

Economy

The economy of Charleston, WV employs 86.2k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Charleston, WV were Health Care & Social Assistance (17,043 people), Retail Trade (10,094 people), and Educational Services (7,735 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($87,969), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($77,942), and Utilities ($76,635).

Employment

Occupations

86.2k

2024 Value

± 2,439

−0.121%

1 Year decline

± 3.99%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Charleston, WV declined at a rate of −0.121%, from 86.3k employees to 86.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Charleston, WV, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,331 people), Sales & Related Occupations (8,160 people), and Management Occupations (7,207 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 West Virginia.

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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

86.2k

2024 Value

± 2,439

−0.121%

1 Year decline

± 3.99%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Charleston, WV declined at a rate of −0.121%, from 86.3k employees to 86.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Charleston, WV, are Health Care & Social Assistance (17,043 people), Retail Trade (10,094 people), and Educational Services (7,735 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

$50,640

Median earning men ± $1,888

$39,945

Median earning women ± $1,600

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($76,341), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($66,712), and Public Administration ($62,901).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($56,042), Construction ($55,139), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($51,958).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

0.583%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 690k people employed in West Virginia. This represents a 0.583% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 15%.

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

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

401
Other Services (except Public Administration)
266
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
241
Health Care and Social Assistance

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.22M
Health Care and Social Assistance
$359k
Finance and Insurance
$354k
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in West Virginia went to Donald J. Trump with 70% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (28.1%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.17%).

Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice 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.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (70%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (28.1%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (1.17%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in West Virginia went to Donald J. Trump with 70% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (28.1%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.17%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in West Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from West Virginia

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

Shelley Moore Capito

Senator from West Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Jim Justice

Senator from West Virginia

Assumed office on January 14, 2025
Inauguration delayed in order to finish his term as Governor of West Virginia.

Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice 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.

Education

In 2024, universities in Charleston, WV awarded 2,320 degrees. The student population of Charleston, WV in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 4,183 male students and 4,895 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Charleston, WV are White (1,561 and 67.8%), Unknown (377 and 16.4%), Black or African American (167 and 7.25%), and Hispanic or Latino (90 and 3.91%).

The largest universities in Charleston, WV by number of degrees awarded are University of Charleston (1,119 and 48.2%), BridgeValley Community & Technical College (376 and 16.2%), and West Virginia State University (325 and 14%).

The most popular majors in Charleston, WV are Organizational Leadership (418 and 18%), Registered Nursing (357 and 15.4%), and Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations (147 and 6.34%).

The median tuition costs are $22,117 for private four year colleges, and $8,930 and $14,350 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Charleston, WV, the percentage of applicants admitted was 85.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 7.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 9,078 (46.1% men and 53.9% 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 2024 there were 9,078 students enrolled in Charleston, WV, 46.1% men and 53.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,795 records, of which 57.3% were women and 42.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Organizational Leadership
412 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
76 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
72 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Charleston, WV was Organizational Leadership with 412 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
1,119 degrees awarded
BridgeValley Community & Technical College
376 degrees awarded
West Virginia State University
325 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Charleston with 1,119 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 1,209 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Charleston, WV, which is 1.09 times more than the 1,111 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,561 degrees mean that there were 4.14 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 377 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 ($22,117) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Private for-profit, 2-year ($1,602) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($2,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Charleston, WV was $141,100 in 2024, which is 0.424 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $128,900 to $141,100, a 9.46% increase. The homeownership rate in Charleston, WV is 72.2%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Charleston, WV have an average commute time of 23.5 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.

Housing

Property

$141,100

Median Property Value 2024

±$4,252

$63,032

Median Property Taxes

±$1,991

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

72.2%

Homeownership

2024

65.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 72.2% of the housing units in Charleston, WV were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 71.3%.

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

Equity

Household Income

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

$60,117

Median Household Income

± $1,599

87.4k

Number of Households

± 2,338

In 2024, the median household income of the 87.4k households in Charleston, WV grew to $60,117 from the previous year's value of $58,089.

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 $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

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

0.443

2024 Wage GINI in West Virginia

0.443

2023 Wage GINI in West Virginia

In 2024, the income inequality in West Virginia was 0.443 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0426% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for West Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.474. 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 2024

Drove Alone (77.4%)
Worked At Home (9.25%)
Carpooled (8.03%)

In 2024, 77.4% of workers in Charleston, WV drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.25%) and those who carpooled to work (8.03%).

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

23.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Charleston, WV have a shorter commute time (23.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.43% 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

16.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Charleston, WV (32.7k out of 202k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 55 - 64.

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

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.