South Charleston, WV

Census Place

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2024 Population

13,457

US Senator

Shelley Moore Capito

Republican Party

US Senator

Jim Justice

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

41.7

1.46% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

16.9%

19.6% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$63,884

7.16% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$155,400

7.32% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

6,512

0.291% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in South 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.

99.8% of the residents in South Charleston, WV are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in South Charleston, WV are BridgeValley Community & Technical College (376 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in South Charleston, WV was $155,400, and the homeownership rate was 70.6%.

Most people in South Charleston, WV drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.3 minutes. The average car ownership in South Charleston, WV was 2 cars per household.

United States West Virginia Kanawha County, WV Charleston, WV Kanawha County PUMA, WV

Population & Diversity

South Charleston, WV is home to a population of 13.5k people, from which 99.8% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.37% of South Charleston, WV residents were born outside of the country (184 people).

In 2024, there were 17 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.6k people) in South Charleston, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 682 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 463 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.8%

2024 Citizenship

99.8%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.8% of South Charleston, WV residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in South Charleston, WV was 99.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in South Charleston, WV

White (Non-Hispanic)
11.6k ± 459
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
682 ± 233
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
463 ± 263

2.02%

Hispanic Population

272 people

2.02% of the people in South Charleston, WV are hispanic (272 people).

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

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place 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

1.37%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

184 people

1.52%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

206 people

As of 2024, 1.37% of South Charleston, WV residents (184 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 South Charleston, WV was 1.52%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
229 ± 91
Gulf War (1990s)
135 ± 68
Gulf War (2001-)
43 ± 49

South Charleston, WV has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.7 times greater than any other conflict.

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

Health

94.4% of the population of South Charleston, WV has health coverage, with 46.1% on employee plans, 19% on Medicaid, 18.1% on Medicare, 10.4% on non-group plans, and 0.818% 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, 46.4% were men and 53.6% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.9% under 18 years, 17.5% between 18 and 34 years, 40.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.4% were men and 53.6% were women.

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

Uninsured People

5.57%

Uninsured

46.1%

Employer Coverage

19%

Medicaid

18.1%

Medicare

10.4%

Non-Group

0.818%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in South Charleston, WV grew by 24.4% from 4.47% to 5.57%.

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

Economy

The economy of South Charleston, WV employs 6.51k people. In 2024, the largest industries in South Charleston, WV were Health Care & Social Assistance (1,202 people), Retail Trade (1,059 people), and Public Administration (628 people), and the highest paying industries were Wholesale Trade ($97,665), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($81,172), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($81,172).

Employment

Occupations

6.51k

2024 Value

± 679

−0.291%

1 Year decline

± 14.8%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in South Charleston, WV declined at a rate of −0.291%, from 6.53k employees to 6.51k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in South Charleston, WV, are Sales & Related Occupations (1,182 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (796 people), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (535 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of South 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

6.51k

2024 Value

± 679

−0.291%

1 Year decline

± 14.8%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in South Charleston, WV declined at a rate of −0.291%, from 6.53k employees to 6.51k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in South Charleston, WV, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,202 people), Retail Trade (1,059 people), and Public Administration (628 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of South Charleston, WV, though some of these residents may live in South Charleston, WV and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$53,260

Median earning men ± $13,151

$43,797

Median earning women ± $3,622

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($98,184), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($85,469), and Public Administration ($76,875).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($57,301), Construction ($55,556), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($52,850).

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 South 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 South Charleston, WV awarded 376 degrees. The student population of South Charleston, WV in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 759 male students and 1,168 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in South Charleston, WV are White (351 and 93.4%), Black or African American (9 and 2.39%), Unknown (8 and 2.13%), and Hispanic or Latino (4 and 1.06%).

The largest universities in South Charleston, WV by number of degrees awarded are BridgeValley Community & Technical College (376 and 100%).

The most popular majors in South Charleston, WV are Registered Nursing (100 and 26.6%), General Studies (30 and 7.98%), and Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Ultrasound Technician (22 and 5.85%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2024 there were 1,927 students enrolled in South Charleston, WV, 39.4% men and 60.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,729 records, of which 60.6% were women and 39.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
100 degrees awarded
General Studies
30 degrees awarded
Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Ultrasound Technician
22 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in South Charleston, WV was Registered Nursing with 100 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in South Charleston, WV according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

BridgeValley Community & Technical College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

376 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was BridgeValley Community & Technical College with 376 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2024, 137 men were awarded degrees from institutions in South Charleston, WV, which is 0.573 times less than the 239 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 351 degrees mean that there were 39 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 9 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

Public, 2-year ($4,800) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($1,000) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($1,672) 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 South Charleston, WV was $155,400 in 2024, which is 0.467 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $144,800 to $155,400, a 7.32% increase. The homeownership rate in South Charleston, WV is 70.6%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in South Charleston, WV have an average commute time of 19.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in South Charleston, WV is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$155,400

Median Property Value 2024

±$12,114

$4,372

Median Property Taxes

±$565

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 South Charleston, WV the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

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

Rent vs Own

70.6%

Homeownership

2024

64.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 70.6% of the housing units in South Charleston, WV were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 68.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in South 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.

$63,884

Median Household Income

± $7,529

6.19k

Number of Households

± 615

In 2024, the median household income of the 6.19k households in South Charleston, WV grew to $63,884 from the previous year's value of $59,616.

The following chart displays the households in South 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 South 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 (76.1%)
Carpooled (10.4%)
Worked At Home (8.93%)

In 2024, 76.1% of workers in South Charleston, WV drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.4%) and those who worked at home (8.93%).

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

19.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in South Charleston, WV have a shorter commute time (19.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.66% of the workforce in South Charleston, WV have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in South 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 South Charleston, WV distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in South Charleston, WV have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

16.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in South Charleston, WV (2.27k out of 13.4k 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 12 - 14, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in South 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.