Charleston
City in Kanawha County, West Virginia
Charleston is a city in Kanawha County, West Virginia, with 48,864 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 597 ft (182 m) above sea level. The nearest town is South Charleston, 4.3 miles W.
- 48,864residents (2020 Census)
- 597 ftelevation · 182 m
- 31.4 sq miland area · 81.3 km²
- 1,556 / sq mipopulation density
- 25301main ZIP code (6 in total)
About Charleston
Charleston () is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. Located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers, it is the county seat of Kanawha County. The population was 48,864 at the 2020 census, with an estimated population of 46,482 in 2024. The Charleston metropolitan area has approximately 203,000 residents. Charleston is the second smallest city in the nation to be the largest city in its state, only ahead of Burlington, Vermont.
Charleston was established in the late 18th century and formally incorporated in 1794, with the trustees being Daniel Boone, Leonard Morris, and William Morris. The city gained prominence in the 19th century with the growth of the salt industry and later expanded due to coal mining and the first natural gas well. After West Virginia separated from Virginia, Charleston became the permanent state capital in 1885. Its economy and infrastructure further evolved in the 20th century with the rise of chemical manufacturing and public sector employment.
Charleston is the home of the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and the annual 15-mile (24 km) Charleston Distance Run. Yeager Airport and the University of Charleston are in the city. West Virginia State University is in the area, as are West Virginia University and Marshall University satellite campuses.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Charleston weather: 7-day forecast
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Source: National Weather Service (NOAA).
Live webcams in Charleston
Webcams: Windy.com
Living in Charleston
- Median household income
- $65,812
- Median home value
- $203,300
- Median rent
- $908/mo
- Median age
- 43
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Map of Charleston
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Open in Google Maps ›Charleston, WV population
Charleston had 48,864 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 48,864 |
|---|---|
| Density | 1,556 per sq mi (601 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Charleston at a glance
| State | West Virginia (WV) |
|---|---|
| County | Kanawha County |
| Type | City |
| Population | 48,864 (2020) |
| Land area | 31.40 sq mi (81.3 km²) |
| Water area | 1.14 sq mi (2.95 km²) |
| Elevation | 597 ft (182 m) |
| Coordinates | 38.3487° N, 81.6323° W |
| ZIP codes | 25301, 25302, 25303, 25304, 25305, 25387 |
| Official website | charlestonwv.gov |
| Census code (GEOID) | 5414600 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Charleston
- South Charleston4.3 mi W
- Malden5.2 mi SE
- Coal Fork5.6 mi E
- Dunbar5.8 mi W
- Rand5.9 mi SE
- Dupont City6.6 mi SE
- West Dunbar6.9 mi W
- Big Chimney7.1 mi NE
- Institute7.5 mi W
- Marmet7.8 mi SE
- Jefferson8.6 mi W
- Pinch9.3 mi NE
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Charleston
What county is Charleston in?
Charleston is in Kanawha County, West Virginia.
What is the population of Charleston, WV?
48,864 people lived in Charleston at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Charleston, WV?
The main ZIP code is 25301. Other ZIP codes: 25302, 25303, 25304, 25305, 25387.
What is the elevation of Charleston?
597 feet (182 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Charleston?
South Charleston (4.3 mi), Malden (5.2 mi), Coal Fork (5.6 mi), Dunbar (5.8 mi), Rand (5.9 mi).
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