Charleston, WV Metro Area

Charleston, WV · Metro Area

205,398Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (1 central, 2 outlying), part of the Charleston-Huntington-Ashland, WV-OH-KY combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $60,117
Median home value: $141,100
Land area: 1,747 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Kanawha County, WV	Central	176,537	$60,943	$147,300
Boone County, WV	Outlying	21,026	$57,093	$93,100
Clay County, WV	Outlying	7,835	$42,318	$109,100

Largest cities and towns

36 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Charleston, WV	City	47,421	$65,812
South Charleston, WV	City	13,457	$63,884
St. Albans, WV	City	10,522	$53,972
Cross Lanes, WV	CDP	9,671	$63,537
Dunbar, WV	City	7,254	$58,379
Nitro, WV	City	6,853	$53,848
Pinch, WV	CDP	4,037	$76,741
Sissonville, WV	CDP	3,593	$66,944
Madison, WV	City	2,788	$58,872
Alum Creek, WV	CDP	1,749	$74,231
Chesapeake, WV	Town	1,702	$60,927
Belle, WV	Town	1,611	$77,031
Marmet, WV	City	1,524	$52,115
Coal Fork, WV	CDP	1,423	$70,212
Tornado, WV	CDP	1,114	$83,000
Rand, WV	CDP	1,064	$61,047
Clendenin, WV	Town	903	$69,583
Glasgow, WV	Town	878	$53,750
East Bank, WV	Town	850	$72,875
Elkview, WV	CDP	671	$69,858
Big Chimney, WV	CDP	610	$43,403
Chelyan, WV	CDP	564	$34,175
Danville, WV	Town	549	$23,571
Jefferson, WV	CDP	534	$39,861
Cedar Grove, WV	Town	489	$44,952

Also in the Charleston-Huntington-Ashland, WV-OH-KY combined area

Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH · metro · 370,729 Portsmouth, OH · micro · 72,627

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Unemployment

6.1%

College Educated

27.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$60,117

Mean Household Income

$81,990

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.8%

Female

51.2%

Population Split

Male48.8%

Female51.2%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English16.7%

Irish11.3%

German10.6%

Italian2.7%

Scottish2.2%

Polish1.0%

Mexican0.8%

French0.7%

African0.3%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

1.8%Foreign Born

98.2%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized58.8%

Non-Citizen41.2%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later38.5%

Before 201061.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

104,519

Median Rent

$896/mo

Median Home Value

$141,100

Median Year Built

1968

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

39,994

College Enrollment

13.7%

High School

24.0%

College Educated

27.2%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

23.5 min

Drive Alone Rate

77.4%

Public Transit

1.1%

Work From Home

9.3%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

19.9%

18-34 Years

19.7%

35-64 Years

38.3%

65+ Years

22.1%

Population Composition

Under 1819.9%

18-3419.7%

35-6438.3%

65+22.1%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

43.2%

Single Parent

6.3%

Living Alone

34.0%

Avg Size

2.31

Household Types

Married Couples43.2%

Single Parent6.3%

Living Alone34.0%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$35,996

SNAP Usage

16.9%

Health Insurance

95.1%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k21.0%

$25k - $50k20.4%

$50k - $100k31.8%

$100k+26.6%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

5.4%

Retail Trade

11.7%

Education & Health Care

28.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

20.3%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

95.1%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

88.0%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

92.2%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

88.7

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

221.3

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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