South Charleston

WV

Kanawha County, West Virginia

Population 177K |Median income $60,943 |4 hospitals

Population
176,537
Kanawha County
Median Income
$60,943
-10% vs avg
Median Home Value
$147,300
-35% vs avg
Median Age
43.8
years

10-Year Trends 2013–2024

20132024
Population
177K-8%
Median Income
$60,943+32%
Median Home Value
$147,300+45%
Poverty Rate
15.7%+11%
Unemployment
5.6%-24%

Economics

Median Rent
$906/mo
Poverty Rate
15.7% +11% vs avg
Unemployment 5.6%
Bachelor's Degree+ 29.7%
Work From Home 9.6%
Public Transit 1.2%

Population

White 86.4%
Two or More Ethnicities 5.9%
African American 4.9%
Asian 1.2%

Health Profile 15 measures

Health Indicators

High Blood Pressure
46.2%
Obesity
40.3%
Short Sleep Duration
39.2%
Physical Inactivity
32.3%
Frequent Mental Distress
20.9%
Current Smoking
18.9%
Frequent Physical Distress
16.5%
Diabetes
15.6%
Binge Drinking
14.4%
Current Asthma
11.9%

Preventive Care

Dental Visit 59.6%
Annual Checkup 81.9%

Other Measures

Coronary Heart Disease
8.7%
Lack of Health Insurance
7.8%
Stroke
4.2%

Hospitals 4 total

Rating Distribution
★★★★★
0
★★★★
0
★★★
0
★★
0
★
1
Average Rating
1/5
Total Hospitals
4
With ER
1
CHARLESTON AREA MEDICAL CENTER
CHARLESTON · Acute Care Hospitals · ER
★☆☆☆☆

Alerts & News — South Charleston Area 6

Weather Alerts high

Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Central and Southern West Virginia Through 5:45 AM

NOAA · 1d ago
Weather Alerts high

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia Until 4:45 AM EDT

NOAA · 1d ago
Weather Alerts high

Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Tri-State Area of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia

NOAA · 1d ago
Weather Alerts high

High Wind Warning Issued for Western Maryland and West Virginia Through Early Saturday

NOAA · Mar 28, 2026
Weather Alerts high

High Wind Warning Issued for Tri-State Area; Gusts Up to 65 MPH Expected

NOAA · Mar 28, 2026
Weather Alerts high

High Wind Warning Issued for Parts of Virginia and West Virginia with Gusts up to 60 MPH

NOAA · Mar 26, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions 6

What is the population of South Charleston, WV? ▼
South Charleston, WV has a population of 176,537 people, located in Kanawha County, West Virginia.
What is the median household income in South Charleston? ▼
The median household income in South Charleston, WV is $60,943 per year. The poverty rate is 15.7%.
What is the median home value in South Charleston? ▼
The median home value in South Charleston, WV is $147,300. Median rent is $906/month.
What are the top health concerns in South Charleston? ▼
The top health indicators in South Charleston include High Blood Pressure (46.2%), Obesity (40.3%), Short Sleep Duration (39.2%). Data from CDC PLACES.
How many hospitals are in South Charleston? ▼
South Charleston has 4 hospitals with an average rating of 1/5 stars. 1 have emergency departments.
What is the median age in South Charleston? ▼
The median age in South Charleston, WV is 43.8 years. 29.7% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Safety Context

South Charleston, WV is located in Kanawha County, West Virginia. With a population of 177K and a median household income of $60,943, the community faces health challenges including high blood pressure and obesity. Residents have access to 4 hospitals with an average rating of 1/5 stars. Safety alerts for the South Charleston area are monitored from federal and state agencies including FEMA, NOAA, FDA, and CPSC.

Safety Guides

How Product Recalls Work

CPSC, FDA & NHTSA recall process explained

Understanding Weather Alerts

Watch vs warning vs advisory explained

Earthquake Magnitude Explained

What the numbers mean & when to act
All safety guides →

Explore More Data

Schools in West Virginia

School ratings, test scores & enrollment → PlainSchools

Crime Rates in West Virginia

FBI UCR crime statistics by city → PlainCrime

Rental Data in West Virginia

HUD fair market rents & vacancy rates → PlainRent

Cost of Living in West Virginia

BEA price parities & Census economics → PlainCost

ZIP Code Data in West Virginia

Demographics & economics by ZIP code → PlainZIP

Nearby Cities 8

Charleston, WV 47K Saint Albans, WV 11K Teays Valley, WV 13K Huntington, WV 49K Beckley, WV 17K Ashland, KY 21K Ironton, OH 11K Meads, KY 289K
All cities in West Virginia → Browse all cities
Data Sources

All data on this page comes from official U.S. government sources. Population and economic data from the Census Bureau American Community Survey (2022 5-year estimates). Health data from the CDC PLACES program (2023). Hospital ratings from CMS Hospital Compare (2024). Data is county-level (Kanawha County) as the smallest consistent geographic unit across all sources.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI UCR, CDC PLACES, and NCES. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.