Kanawha County PUMA, WV

Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA)

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2024 Population

176,537

US Senator

Shelley Moore Capito

Republican Party

US Senator

Jim Justice

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

43.8

0.229% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

15.7%

2.29% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$60,943

3.49% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$147,300

9.11% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

73,755

0.58% 1-year growth

About

2.25% of the households in Kanawha County PUMA, 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.

99.2% of the residents in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Kanawha County PUMA, 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 Kanawha County PUMA, WV was $147,300, and the homeownership rate was 71.1%.

Most people in Kanawha County PUMA, WV drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was 2 cars per household.

Kanawha County PUMA, WV borders Jackson, Nicholas, Roane, Braxton, Clay, Gilmer, Calhoun Counties PUMA, WV, Cabell, Putnam, Mason Counties PUMA, WV, Raleigh, Fayette Counties PUMA, WV, and Wayne, Logan, Mingo, Boone, Wyoming, Lincoln, McDowell Counties PUMA, WV.

United States West Virginia

Population & Diversity

Kanawha County PUMA, WV is home to a population of 177k people, from which 99.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 2% of Kanawha County PUMA, WV residents were born outside of the country (3.53k people).

In 2024, there were 17.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (152k people) in Kanawha County PUMA, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 8.63k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 8.54k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common non-English languages spoken as the primary language in households in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are Spanish (1,217 households), Arabic (346 households), and Hindi (303 households).

Population & Diversity

Residents by Gender and Age

RACE/ETHNICITY

91,097

Women

51.5%

85,619

Men

48.5%

The resident population of United States in 2024 was 176,716 inhabitants, with 48.5% men, and 51.5% women.

The visualization shows the distribution of the residents by gender and age in Kanawha County PUMA, WV.

With the upper buttons you can add a filter by race.

Citizenship

99.2%

2024 Citizenship

99.3%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.2% of Kanawha County PUMA, WV residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was 99.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Kanawha County PUMA, WV compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Kanawha County PUMA, WV

White (Non-Hispanic)
152k ± 816
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
8.63k ± 701
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
8.54k ± 703

1.58%

Hispanic Population

2.79k people

1.58% of the people in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are hispanic (2.79k people).

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

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

India
682 ± 640 people
Philippines
279 ± 410 people
England
271 ± 404 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kanawha County PUMA, WV was India, the natal country of 682 Kanawha County PUMA, WV residents, followed by Philippines with 279 and England with 271.

Foreign-Born Population

2024 Foreign-Born Population

3.53k people

1.8%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

3.21k people

As of 2024, 2% of Kanawha County PUMA, WV residents (3.53k 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 Kanawha County PUMA, WV was 1.8%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Kanawha County PUMA, WV compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Non-English Households

Most Common Non-English Languages

Spanish
1,217 households (0.724%)
Arabic
346 households (0.206%)
Hindi
303 households (0.18%)

2.25% of the households in Kanawha County PUMA, WV reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language, which is lower than the national average of 22.3%. 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.

In 2024, the most common non-English language spoken in households in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was Spanish. 0.724% of the households in Kanawha County PUMA, WV reported speaking Spanish at home as the primary shared language between all members living in the household.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,470 ± 378
Gulf War (2001-)
2,120 ± 457
Gulf War (1990s)
1,339 ± 267

Kanawha County PUMA, WV has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.64 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Kanawha County PUMA, WV.

Health

95.1% of the population of Kanawha County PUMA, WV has health coverage, with 43.2% on employee plans, 22% 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, 48.3% were men and 51.7% 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 21.2% under 18 years, 18.8% between 18 and 34 years, 38.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

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

Uninsured People

4.86%

Uninsured

43.2%

Employer Coverage

22%

Medicaid

17.3%

Medicare

11.3%

Non-Group

1.41%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Kanawha County PUMA, WV grew by 2.95% from 4.72% to 4.86%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Kanawha County PUMA, WV changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of Kanawha County PUMA, WV employs 73.8k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Kanawha County PUMA, WV were General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (5,665 people), Elementary & secondary schools (5,172 people), and Restaurants & Food Services (4,295 people), and the highest paying industries were Other professional, scientific & technical services ($178,089), Legal services ($154,604), and Pipeline transportation ($137,372).

Males in Kanawha County PUMA, WV have an average income that is 1.28 times higher than the average income of females, which is $58,909. The income inequality in Kanawha County PUMA, WV (measured using the Gini index) is 0.451, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Workforce Diversity

Measure

RACE/ETHNICITY

37,123

Women

50.3%

36,632

Men

49.7%

The workforce of Kanawha County PUMA, WV in 2024 was 73,755 people, with 50.3% woman, and 49.7% men.

The visualization shows the distribution of the workforce by gender and age in Kanawha County PUMA, WV.

With the upper buttons you can see the distribution of the average salary and add a filter by race.

Occupations

73.8k

2024 Value

0.58%

1 Year growth

± 0.58%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Kanawha County PUMA, WV grew at a rate of 0.58%, from 73.3k employees to 73.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Kanawha County PUMA, WV, are Registered nurses (2,315 people), Cashiers (2,237 people), and Elementary & middle school teachers (1,919 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Kanawha County PUMA, 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

73.8k

2024 Value

0.58%

1 Year growth

± 0.58%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Kanawha County PUMA, WV grew at a rate of 0.58%, from 73.3k employees to 73.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Kanawha County PUMA, WV, are General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (5,665 people), Elementary & secondary schools (5,172 people), and Restaurants & Food Services (4,295 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Kanawha County PUMA, WV, though some of these residents may live in Kanawha County PUMA, WV and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$50,397

Median earning men ± $1,886

$40,358

Median earning women ± $1,503

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($69,250), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($67,862), and Public Administration ($62,653).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($65,000), Construction ($56,215), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($51,981).

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.

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 Kanawha County PUMA, 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 Kanawha County PUMA, WV awarded 2,226 degrees. The student population of Kanawha County PUMA, WV in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 4,159 male students and 4,860 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are White (1,469 and 66.5%), Unknown (377 and 17.1%), Black or African American (165 and 7.47%), and Hispanic or Latino (90 and 4.07%).

The largest universities in Kanawha County PUMA, WV by number of degrees awarded are University of Charleston (1,119 and 50.3%), BridgeValley Community & Technical College (376 and 16.9%), and West Virginia State University (325 and 14.6%).

The most popular majors in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are Organizational Leadership (418 and 18.8%), Registered Nursing (357 and 16%), and Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations (147 and 6.6%).

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 Kanawha County PUMA, 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 9,019 (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 9,019 students enrolled in Kanawha County PUMA, WV, 46.1% men and 53.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,736 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 Kanawha County PUMA, WV was Organizational Leadership with 412 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Kanawha County PUMA, 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, 1,143 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Kanawha County PUMA, WV, which is 1.06 times more than the 1,083 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 1,469 degrees mean that there were 3.9 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.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Measure

In 2024, 0.572% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.706% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population of Kanawha County PUMA, WV in 2024 were High School or Equivalent (53.2k), Some college (27.3k), and Bachelors Degree (23.5k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was $147,300 in 2024, which is 0.443 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $135,000 to $147,300, a 9.11% increase. The homeownership rate in Kanawha County PUMA, WV is 71.1%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Kanawha County PUMA, WV have an average commute time of 21.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Kanawha County PUMA, WV is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$147,300

Median Property Value 2024

±$4,303

$54,328

Median Property Taxes

±$1,844

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 Kanawha County PUMA, WV the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Kanawha County PUMA, WV compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

71.1%

Homeownership

2024

65.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 71.1% of the housing units in Kanawha County PUMA, WV were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 70.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Kanawha County PUMA, 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.

$60,943

Median Household Income

± $1,546

76.5k

Number of Households

± 2,233

In 2024, the median household income of the 76.5k households in Kanawha County PUMA, WV grew to $60,943 from the previous year's value of $58,887.

The following chart displays the households in Kanawha County PUMA, 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

0.451

2024 Wage GINI in Kanawha County PUMA, WV

0.456

2023 Wage GINI in Kanawha County PUMA, WV

In 2024, the income inequality in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was 0.451 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.05% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kanawha County PUMA, WV was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kanawha County PUMA, WV in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kanawha County PUMA, WV across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (77.3%)
Worked At Home (9.64%)
Carpooled (7.71%)

In 2024, 77.3% of workers in Kanawha County PUMA, WV drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.64%) and those who carpooled to work (7.71%).

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

21.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Kanawha County PUMA, WV have a shorter commute time (21.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.76% of the workforce in Kanawha County PUMA, WV have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Kanawha County PUMA, WV compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Kanawha County PUMA, WV distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Kanawha County PUMA, WV have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

15.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Kanawha County PUMA, WV (27.3k out of 173k 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 Kanawha County PUMA, 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.