Charleston, West Virginia Population History 1990 - 2023
Charleston Population By Year
| Year | Population | Rank in US | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 46,838 | 863 | -0.8% |
| 2022 | 47,215 | 850 | -1.7% |
| 2021 | 48,018 | 828 | -1.4% |
| 2020 | 48,695 | 816 | -0.5% |
| 2010 | 51,400 | 687 | -0.4% |
| 2000 | 53,339 | 574 | -0.8% |
| 1990 | 57,691 | 425 | – |
Charleston Population Facts
What is the current population of Charleston?
Based on the latest 2024 data from the US census, the current population of Charleston is 46,838. Charleston, West Virginia is the 863rd largest city in the US.
What county is Charleston, West Virginia in?
Charleston is located entirely in Kanawha County.
What is the size of Charleston, West Virginia in square miles?
Charleston has an area of 31.5 square miles. Charleston is the largest city, by area, in West Virginia.What was the peak population of Charleston?
The peak population of Charleston was in 1990, when its population was 57,691. In 1990, Charleston was the 425th largest city in the US; now its fallen to the 863rd largest city in the US. Charleston is currently 18.8% smaller than it was in 1990.
How quickly is Charleston shrinking?
Charleston has shrunk 12.1% since the year 2000. Charleston, West Virginia's growth is extremely below average. 98% of similarly sized cities are growing faster since 2000.
What is the population density of Charleston, West Virginia?
Charleston has a population density of 1,630.7 people per square mile.
Similarly Sized Cities In West Virginia
| US Rank | Name | Population | Growth 2000-2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 863 | Charleston | 46,838 | -12.1% |
| 886 | Huntington | 45,325 | -12.4% |
| 1308 | Morgantown | 30,429 | 13.9% |
| 1364 | Parkersburg | 29,025 | -12.8% |
| 1502 | Wheeling | 26,208 | -16.2% |
Similarly Sized Cities In US
| US Rank | Name | Population | Growth 2000-2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 857 | Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | 47,038 | -0.1% |
| 858 | Olive Branch, Mississippi | 47,029 | 120.5% |
| 859 | Mentor, Ohio | 46,929 | -6.7% |
| 860 | Newark, California | 46,929 | 9.9% |
| 861 | Glenview, Illinois | 46,904 | 8.6% |
| 862 | East Providence, Rhode Island | 46,900 | -3.8% |
| 863 | Charleston, West Virginia | 46,838 | -12.1% |
| 864 | Cerritos, California | 46,797 | -9.2% |
| 865 | Urbandale, Iowa | 46,729 | 58.3% |
| 866 | Binghamton, New York | 46,727 | -1.1% |
| 867 | Roseville, Michigan | 46,666 | -2.9% |
| 868 | Attleboro, Massachusetts | 46,654 | 11.2% |
| 869 | Monroe, Louisiana | 46,616 | -12.0% |
Charleston Demographics
What is the voting age population of Charleston, West Virginia?
The total voting age population of Charleston, West Virginia, meaning US citizens 18 or older, is 38,387. The voting age population is 47.6% male and 52.4% female.
What percentage of Charleston, West Virginia residents are senior citizens?
According to the latest census statistics, 19.3% of the residents of Charleston are 65 or older.
What are the racial demographics of Charleston, West Virginia?
The racial demographics of Charleston are 77.9% White, 15.7% Black, 3.7% Two or more races, 2.1% Asian, 0.3% American Indian and 0.2% Other. Additionally, 1.0% of the population identifies as Hispanic.
What percentage of Charleston, West Virginia residents are below the poverty line?
In Charleston, 20.9% of residents have an income below the poverty line, and the child poverty rate is 30.7%. On a per-household basis, 16.3% of families are below the poverty line in Charleston.
What percentage of Charleston, West Virginia residents are in the labor force?
Among those aged 16 and older, 57.5% of Charleston residents are in the labor force.
What are the education levels among Charleston, West Virginia residents?
Among the adult population 25 years old and over, 91.9% of Charleston residents have at least a high school degree or equivalent, 39.3% have a bachelor's degree and 19.0% have a graduate or professional degree.
What percentage of Charleston, West Virginia residents speak a non-English language at home?
Among Charleston residents aged 5 and older, 4.5% of them speak a non-English language at home. Broken down by language: 1.0% of residents speak Spanish at home, 1.7% speak an Indo-European language, and 0.9% speak an Asian language.
Charleston Income & Labor Statistics
What is the unemployment rate in Charleston, West Virginia?
The unemployment rate in Charleston is 5.2%, which is calculated among residents aged 16 or older who are in the labor force.
What percentage of Charleston, West Virginia residents work for the government?
In Charleston, 20.0% of the residents in the non-military labor force are employed by the local, state and federal government.
What is the median income in Charleston, West Virginia?
The median household income in Charleston is $43,344.
Charleston Housing & Rent Statistics
What percentage of housing units are owner-occupied in Charleston, West Virginia?
In Charleston, 56.6% of housing units are occupied by their owners.
What percentage of housing units are rented in Charleston, West Virginia?
Renters occupy 43.4% of housing units in Charleston.
What percentage of Charleston, West Virginia housing units were built before 1940?
Of all the housing units in Charleston, 20.6% of them were build before 1940.
What percentage of Charleston, West Virginia housing units were built after 2000?
In Charleston, 4.5% of the total housing units were built after the year 2000, which is approximately 1,200 units.
What is the median monthly rent in Charleston, West Virginia?
The median gross monthly rent payment for renters in Charleston is $735.
What percentage of households in Charleston, West Virginia have broadband internet?
In Charleston, 77.7% of households have an active broadband internet connection.