Kanawha County, WV

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Population

187,827

0.954% decline

Median Age

43.1

Median Household Income

$46,859

0.711% growth

Poverty Rate

16.5%

Number of Employees

81,941

1.8% decline

Median Property Value

$111,200

3.83% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Kanawha County, WV had a population of 188k people with a median age of 43.1 and a median household income of $46,859. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Kanawha County, WV declined from 189,636 to 187,827, a -0.954% decrease and its median household income grew from $46,528 to $46,859, a 0.711% increase.

The population of Kanawha County, WV is 87.8% White Alone, 6.9% Black or African American Alone, and 3% Two or More Races. 2.25% of the people in Kanawha County, WV speak a non-English language, and 99.4% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Kanawha County, WV are BridgeValley Community & Technical College (536 degrees awarded in 2016), University of Charleston (506 degrees), and West Virginia State University (439 degrees).

The median property value in Kanawha County, WV is $111,200, and the homeownership rate is 69.1%. Most people in Kanawha County, WV commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 20.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Kanawha County, WV is 2 cars per household.

Kanawha County, WV borders Raleigh County, WV, Putnam County, WV, Fayette County, WV, Jackson County, WV, Nicholas County, WV, Boone County, WV, Lincoln County, WV, Roane County, WV, and Clay County, WV.

About the photo: Autumn sunrise scenery from the Bear Rocks area of the Dolly Sods Wilderness near Davis, West Virginia (USA). HDR composite from multiple exposures.

Photo by Nicolas Raymond

United States West Virginia Charleston, WV

Economy

The economy of Kanawha County, WV employs 81.9k people. The largest industries in Kanawha County, WV are Health Care & Social Assistance (15,154 people), Retail Trade (9,013 people), and Public Administration (8,064 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($95,489), Utilities ($63,750), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($61,318).

Median household income in Kanawha County, WV is $46,859. Males in Kanawha County, WV have an average income that is 1.4 times higher than the average income of females, which is $39,552. The income inequality in Kanawha County, WV (measured using the Gini index) is 0.444, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$46,859

2017 value

± $1,372

0.711%

1 Year Growth

± 3.72%

Households in Kanawha County, WV have a median annual income of $46,859, which is less than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $46,528 in 2016, which represents a 0.711% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Kanawha County, WV compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$55,526

Average Male Salary

± $2,063

$39,552

Average Female Salary

± $1,541

In 2017, full-time male employees in Kanawha County, WV made 1.4 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Kanawha County, WV by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

Asian
$63,277 ± $23,510
American Indian
$44,513 ± $30,224
White
$42,144 ± $1,238

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Kanawha County, WV workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.42 times more than American Indian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Kanawha County, WV by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.444

2017 Wage GINI

0.444

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in West Virginia was 0.444 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.108% decline from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2017 the GINI for West Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 19.02
Census Tract 19.01
Census Tract 20

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Kanawha County, WV was Census Tract 19.02 with a value of $108,466, followed by Census Tract 19.01 and Census Tract 20, with respective values of $94,327 and $70,388.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

16.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Kanawha County, WV (30.4k out of 185k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 55 - 64.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
24,644 ± 1,074
Black
3,739 ± 430
Two Or More
1,601 ± 281

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

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

81.9k

2017 Value

± 2,004

-1.8%

1 Year decline

± 3.52%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Kanawha County, WV declined at a rate of -1.8%, from 83.4k employees to 81.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Kanawha County, WV, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (13,119 people), Sales & Related Occupations (9,013 people), and Management Occupations (6,783 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Kanawha County, WV.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Kanawha County, WV, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (13,119 people), Sales & Related Occupations (9,013 people), and Management Occupations (6,783 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Kanawha County, WV has an unusually high number of residents working as Legal Occupations (1.71 times higher than expected), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (1.44 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.4 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Kanawha County, WV, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($74,858), Legal Occupations ($72,091), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($60,203).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

81.9k

2017 Value

± 2,004

-1.8%

1 Year decline

± 3.52%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Kanawha County, WV declined at a rate of -1.8%, from 83.4k employees to 81.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Kanawha County, WV, are Health Care & Social Assistance (15,154 people), Retail Trade (9,013 people), and Public Administration (8,064 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Kanawha County, WV, though some of these residents may live in Kanawha County, WV and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Kanawha County, WV, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (15,154 people), Retail Trade (9,013 people), and Public Administration (8,064 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Kanawha County, WV has an unusually high number of Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (3.46 times higher than expected), Public Administration (2.11 times), and Utilities (1.83 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Kanawha County, WV, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($95,489), Utilities ($63,750), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($61,318).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from West Virginia to other states, or from other states to West Virginia.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Coal-n.e.c.
$17.4B
Coal
$7.3B
Pharmaceuticals
$6.62B

In 2015, the top outbound West Virginia product (by dollars) was Coal-n.e.c. with $17.4B, followed by Coal with $7.3B and Pharmaceuticals and $6.62B.

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound West Virginia products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for West Virginia state.

$68B

2015 Value

$86.9B

Projected 2045 Value

27.7% growth

In 2015, total outbound West Virginia trade was $68B. This is expected to increase 27.7% to $86.9B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound West Virginia trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from West Virginia to other states, or from other states to West Virginia.

Most Common Trade Partners

Pennsylvania
$10.5B
Ohio
$6.95B
Virginia
$6.94B

In 2015, the top outbound West Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Pennsylvania with $10.5B, followed by Ohio with $6.95B and Virginia and $6.94B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that West Virginia shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

92.5% of the population of Kanawha County, WV has health coverage, with 43.9% on employee plans, 21.4% on Medicaid, 14.9% on Medicare, 10.3% on non-group plans, and 1.9% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Kanawha County, WV was $9,462 in 2014. This is a 5.5% increase from the previous year ($8,969).

Primary care physicians in Kanawha County, WV see 766 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.06% increase from the previous year (758 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1225 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 611 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, McDowell County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (19.7%). Additionally, McDowell County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (44.6%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

766 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Kanawha County, WV see an average of 766 patients per year. This represents a 1.06% increase from the previous year (758 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Kanawha County, WV in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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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 in the nation by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

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

$9,462

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care

$3,917

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$6,557

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,268

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in West Virginia (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 5.5%, from $8,969 to $9,462.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

7.54%

Uninsured

43.9%

Employer Coverage

21.4%

Medicaid

14.9%

Medicare

10.3%

Non-Group

1.9%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Kanawha County, WV declined by 15.4% from 8.91% to 7.54%.

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

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

McDowell County
19.7% prevalence
Logan County
19.1% prevalence
Brooke County
18.2% prevalence

McDowell County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in West Virginia, at 19.7%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in West Virginia by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Kanawha County, WV is home to a population of 188k people, from which 99.4% are citizens. As of 2017, 1.77% of Kanawha County, WV residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of Kanawha County, WV is composed of 165k White Alone residents (87.8%), 13k Black or African American Alone residents (6.9%), 5.63k Two or More Races residents (3%), 1.98k Hispanic or Latino residents (1.06%), 1.92k Asian Alone residents (1.02%), 215 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.114%), 156 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.0831%), and 0 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Kanawha County, WV are Spanish or Spanish Creole (1,059 speakers), French (Incl. Patois, Cajun) (376 speakers), and Chinese (362 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2.5

In 2017, the median age of all people in Kanawha County, WV was 43.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 43, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 44. But people in Kanawha County, WV are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Kanawha County, WV residents was 43.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

1.77%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

1.68%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 1.77% of Kanawha County, WV residents were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Kanawha County, WV was 1.68%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Mexico
2,603 ± 1,252 people
India
2,547 ± 1,238 people
China
2,428 ± 1,209 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kanawha County, WV was Mexico, the natal country of 2,603 Kanawha County, WV residents, followed by India with 2,547 and China with 2,428.

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Citizenship

99.4%

2017 Citizenship

99.3%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 99.4% of Kanawha County, WV residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Kanawha County, WV was 99.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

White Alone
165k ± 154
Black or African American Alone
13k ± 611
Two or More Races
5.63k ± 640

In 2017, there were 12.7 times more White Alone residents (165k people) in Kanawha County, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 13k Black or African American Alone and 5.63k Two or More Races residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

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

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

Spanish or Spanish Creole
1,059 speakers (0.588%)
French (Incl. Patois, Cajun)
376 speakers (0.209%)
Chinese
362 speakers (0.201%)

2.25% of Kanawha County, WV citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is lower than the national average of 21.5%. In 2015, the most common non-English language spoken in Kanawha County, WV was Spanish or Spanish Creole. 0.588% of the overall population of Kanawha County, WV are native Spanish or Spanish Creole speakers. 0.209% speak French (Incl. Patois, Cajun) and 0.201% speak Spanish or Spanish Creole, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
5,229 ± 419
Gulf War (2001-)
2,232 ± 385
Gulf War (1990s)
1,588 ± 334

Kanawha County, WV has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.34 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Kanawha County, WV awarded 2,016 degrees. The student population of Kanawha County, WV is skewed towards women, with 3,984 male students and 4,942 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Kanawha County, WV are White (1,578 and 79.6%), followed by Unknown (171 and 8.62%), Black or African American (164 and 8.27%), and Asian (24 and 1.21%).

The largest universities in Kanawha County, WV by number of degrees awarded are BridgeValley Community & Technical College (536 and 26.6%), University of Charleston (506 and 25.1%), and West Virginia State University (439 and 21.8%).

The most popular majors in Kanawha County, WV are General Studies (128 and 6.35%), Registered Nursing (86 and 4.27%), and General Business Administration & Management (83 and 4.12%).

The median tuition costs in Kanawha County, WV are $20,564 for private four year colleges, and $6,996 and $15,572 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Organizational Leadership
76 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
72 degrees awarded
General Studies
88 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Kanawha County, WV was Organizational Leadership with 76 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Kanawha County, WV according to their major.

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

BridgeValley Community & Technical College
536 degrees awarded
University of Charleston
506 degrees awarded
West Virginia State University
439 degrees awarded

$6,996

Median In-State Public

$20,564

Median Private

In 2016, the Kanawha County, WV institution with the largest number of graduating students was BridgeValley Community & Technical College with 536 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

823

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,193

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 823 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Kanawha County, WV, which is 0.69 times less than the 1,193 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Kanawha County, WV by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
1,578 degrees awarded
Unknown
171 degrees awarded
Black or African American
164 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Kanawha County, WV were to White students. These 1,578 degrees mean that there were 9.23 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 171 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Kanawha County, WV was $111,200 in 2017, which is 0.511 times smaller than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $107,100 to $111,200, a 3.83% increase. The homeownership rate in Kanawha County, WV is 69.1%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Kanawha County, WV have an average commute time of 20.3 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Kanawha County, WV is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

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

$46,859

Median Household Income

± $1,372

80.3k

Number of Households

± 1,852

In 2017, the median household income of the 80.3k households in Kanawha County, WV grew to $46,859 from the previous year's value of $46,528.

The following chart displays the households in Kanawha County, 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.

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Housing

Property Value

$111,200

2017 Median

± $2,137

$107,100

2016 Median

± $2,359

In 2017, the median property value in Kanawha County, WV grew to to $111,200 from the previous year's value of $107,100.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Kanawha County, WV compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Kanawha County, WV the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

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Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Kanawha County, WV distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Kanawha County, WV the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

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Rent vs Own

69.1%

2017 Homeownership

69.1%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 69.1% of the housing units in Kanawha County, WV were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 69.1%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Kanawha County, WV compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Kanawha County, 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, WV have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

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Commute Time

20.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Kanawha County, WV have a shorter commute time (20.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 1.29% of the workforce in Kanawha County, WV have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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