Kanawha County PUMA, WV

Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA)

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2023 Population

178,198

0.943% 1-year decline

US Senator

Shelley Moore Capito

Republican Party

US Senator

Jim Justice

Republican Party

2023 Median Age

43.7

0.229% 1-year increase

2023 Poverty Rate

16.1%

1.94% 1-year decrease

2023 Median Household Income

$58,887

6.63% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$135,000

2.9% 1-year growth

2022 Employed Population

70,507

7.74% 1-year decline

About

In 2023, Kanawha County PUMA, WV had a population of 178k people with a median age of 43.7 and a median household income of $58,887. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Kanawha County PUMA, WV declined from 179,895 to 178,198, a −0.943% decrease and its median household income grew from $55,226 to $58,887, a 6.63% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are White (Non-Hispanic) (86.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.13%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.56%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.2%), and White (Hispanic) (0.623%).

2.38% 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.

99.3% of the residents in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are University of Charleston (1,065 degrees awarded in 2022), West Virginia State University (400 degrees), and BridgeValley Community & Technical College (360 degrees).

In 2023, the median property value in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was $135,000, and the homeownership rate was 70.2%.

Most people in Kanawha County PUMA, WV drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.5 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 178k people, from which 99.3% are citizens. As of 2023, 1.8% of Kanawha County PUMA, WV residents were born outside of the country (3.21k people).

In 2023, there were 14.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (154k people) in Kanawha County PUMA, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 10.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 8.13k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common non-English languages spoken as the primary langauge in households in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are Spanish (1,123 households), Arabic (446 households), and German (438 households).

Population & Diversity

Residents by Gender and Age

RACE/ETHNICITY

90,506

Women

51.9%

83,961

Men

48.1%

The resident population of United States in 2022 was 174,467 inhabitants, with 48.1% men, and 51.9% women.

The visualization shows the distribution of the residents by gender and age in the United States.

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

Citizenship

99.3%

2023 Citizenship

99.3%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 99.3% of Kanawha County PUMA, WV residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was 99.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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)
154k ± 714
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
10.9k ± 646
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
8.13k ± 1.02k

1.5%

Hispanic Population

2.67k people

1.5% of the people in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are hispanic (2.67k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Kanawha County PUMA, WV as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

India
463 ± 528 people
Canada
233 ± 375 people
Pakistan
231 ± 373 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kanawha County PUMA, WV was India, the natal country of 463 Kanawha County PUMA, WV residents, followed by Canada with 233 and Pakistan with 231.

Foreign-Born Population

1.8%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

3.21k people

1.85%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

3.33k people

As of 2023, 1.8% of Kanawha County PUMA, WV residents (3.21k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was 1.85%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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
1,123 households (0.663%)
Arabic
446 households (0.263%)
German
438 households (0.259%)

2.38% 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%. 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 2023, the most common non-English language spoken in households in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was Spanish. 0.663% 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
3,662 ± 414
Gulf War (2001-)
2,225 ± 486
Gulf War (1990s)
1,471 ± 262

Kanawha County PUMA, WV has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.65 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Kanawha County PUMA, WV employs 70.5k people. The largest industries in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (5,983 people), Restaurants & Food Services (5,039 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (3,873 people), and the highest paying industries are Legal services ($156,806), Offices of physicians ($119,404), and National security & international affairs ($113,374).

Males in Kanawha County PUMA, WV have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $54,002. The income inequality in Kanawha County PUMA, WV (measured using the Gini index) is 0.459, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Workforce Diversity

Measure

RACE/ETHNICITY

38,395

Women

50.3%

37,934

Men

49.7%

The workforce of Kanawha County PUMA, WV in 2020 was 76,329 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

70.5k

2022 Value

−7.74%

1 Year decline

± −7.74%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Kanawha County PUMA, WV declined at a rate of −7.74%, from 76.4k employees to 70.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Kanawha County PUMA, WV, are Cashiers (2,105 people), Registered nurses (2,102 people), and Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (1,944 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 false.

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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

70.5k

2022 Value

−7.74%

1 Year decline

± −7.74%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Kanawha County PUMA, WV declined at a rate of −7.74%, from 76.4k employees to 70.5k 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 (5,983 people), Restaurants & Food Services (5,039 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (3,873 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

$47,864

Median earning men ± $1,588

$37,756

Median earning women ± $1,465

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($73,125), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($67,049), and Public Administration ($61,772).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Wholesale Trade ($64,667), Information ($60,500), and Construction ($57,500).

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.

Education

In 2022, universities in Kanawha County PUMA, WV awarded 2,144 degrees. The student population of Kanawha County PUMA, WV in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 4,240 male students and 4,798 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are White (1,434 and 68.8%), followed by Unknown (305 and 14.6%), Black or African American (200 and 9.6%), and Hispanic or Latino (57 and 2.74%).

The largest universities in Kanawha County PUMA, WV by number of degrees awarded are University of Charleston (1,065 and 49.7%), West Virginia State University (400 and 18.7%), and BridgeValley Community & Technical College (360 and 16.8%).

The most popular majors in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are Organizational Leadership (348 and 16.2%), Registered Nursing (285 and 13.3%), and Other Business, Management, Marketing, & Related Support Services (203 and 9.47%).

The median tuition costs in Kanawha County PUMA, WV are $21,000 for private four year colleges, and $8,856 and $14,544 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2022 in Kanawha County PUMA, WV, the percentage of applicants admitted was 85.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 16%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 9,038 (46.9% men and 53.1% 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 2022 there were 9,038 students enrolled in Kanawha County PUMA, WV, 46.9% men and 53.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,836 records, of which 55.8% were women and 44.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
95 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
62 degrees awarded
Organizational Leadership
341 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was General Business Administration & Management with 95 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
1,065 degrees awarded
West Virginia State University
400 degrees awarded
BridgeValley Community & Technical College
360 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Charleston with 1,065 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 1,068 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Kanawha County PUMA, WV, which is 0.993 times less than the 1,076 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,434 degrees mean that there were 4.7 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 305 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 ($21,000) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2022.

Private for-profit, 2-year ($1,734) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,800) 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 2022, 0.537% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.681% 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 2022 were High School or Equivalent (53.8k), Some college (27k), and Bachelors Degree (21.7k).

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 $135,000 in 2023, which is 0.445 times smaller than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $131,200 to $135,000, a 2.9% increase. The homeownership rate in Kanawha County PUMA, WV is 70.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in Kanawha County PUMA, WV have an average commute time of 22.5 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.

Median household income in Kanawha County PUMA, WV is $58,887. In 2023, the PUMA with the highest Median Household Income in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was Berkeley, Jefferson Counties PUMA, WV with a value of $82,553, followed by Monongalia, Marion, Preston Counties PUMA, WV and Mineral, Hampshire, Morgan, Hardy, Grant, Tucker, Pendleton Counties PUMA, WV, with respective values of $63,520 and $61,321.

Housing

Property

$135,000

Median Property Value 2023

±$4,001

$53,893

Median Property Taxes

±$1,820

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

70.2%

Homeownership

2023

65.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 70.2% of the housing units in Kanawha County PUMA, WV were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69.7%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2023, the PUMA with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was Berkeley, Jefferson Counties PUMA, WV with a value of $82,553, followed by Monongalia, Marion, Preston Counties PUMA, WV and Mineral, Hampshire, Morgan, Hardy, Grant, Tucker, Pendleton Counties PUMA, WV, with respective values of $63,520 and $61,321.

The following map shows all of the PUMAs in Kanawha County PUMA, WV colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

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

$58,887

Median Household Income

± $1,679

76.8k

Number of Households

± 2,223

In 2023, the median household income of the 76.8k households in Kanawha County PUMA, WV grew to $58,887 from the previous year's value of $55,226.

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

0.459

2022 Wage GINI in Kanawha County PUMA, WV

0.453

2021 Wage GINI in Kanawha County PUMA, WV

In 2022, the income inequality in Kanawha County PUMA, WV was 0.459 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.14% growth from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Kanawha County PUMA, WV was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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 2023

Drove Alone (77.9%)
Worked At Home (8.33%)
Carpooled (7.96%)

In 2023, 77.9% of workers in Kanawha County PUMA, WV drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.33%) and those who carpooled to work (7.96%).

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

22.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Kanawha County PUMA, WV have a shorter commute time (22.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 2.42% 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

16.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Kanawha County PUMA, WV (28.2k out of 175k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 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 Black and Two Or More.

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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

95.3% of the population of Kanawha County PUMA, WV has health coverage, with 43.1% on employee plans, 22.7% on Medicaid, 16.7% on Medicare, 11.3% on non-group plans, and 1.45% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in West Virginia see 1273 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.236% increase from the previous year (1270 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1713 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 616 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,273 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in West Virginia

Primary care physicians in West Virginia see an average of 1,273 patients per year. This represents a 0.236% increase from the previous year (1,270 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 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.5% under 18 years, 18.5% between 18 and 34 years, 38.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.4% were men and 52.6% were women.

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

Uninsured People

4.72%

Uninsured

43.1%

Employer Coverage

22.7%

Medicaid

16.7%

Medicare

11.3%

Non-Group

1.45%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Kanawha County PUMA, WV declined by 10.8% from 5.3% to 4.72%.

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.