1st most populous of 55
With 173,906 residents in 2024, Kanawha County ranks 1st by population among West Virginia's 55 counties and is home to 9.8% of the state's residents.
Kanawha County is home to 173,906 people (2024 estimate) on 902 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
173,906
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
180,721
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−3.8%
2020–2024
Land area
902 mi²
2,335 km²
Population density
192.9 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
1,584
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
2,406
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
−822
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+129
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$63,654
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$14.4 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$60,943
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
15.7%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
29.7%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
2.0%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$147,300
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.9%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024173,906▼ 13%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 173,906 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 193,063 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 199,743 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | −12.9% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +302 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −173 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 9.1 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 13.8 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in West Virginia | 1st of 55 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $63,654 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $14.4 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $60,943 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 15.7% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 29.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.0% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $147,300 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $906/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 43.8 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 76,459 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Kanawha County in context
Comparable indicators for Kanawha County, West Virginia and the United States.
| Indicator | County | West Virginia | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −3.8% | −1.3% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 9.1 | 9.4 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 13.8 | 13.9 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 0.7 | 4.2 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 192.9 | 73.6 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $63,654 | $55,351 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $60,943 | $59,608 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 15.7% | 16.7% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 29.7% | 24.1% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.0% | 1.8% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $147,300 | $162,600 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $906/month | $872/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 43.8 years | 42.7 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.1% | 74.9% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
2 cities · choose how to order them
Charleston
48,000 residents
South Charleston
13,000 residents
Did you know? Kanawha County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 199,743 in 2000 to 173,906 in 2024, a change of −12.9%, compared with −2.0% for West Virginia as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 1,584 births and 2,406 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 822.
Peak population in 2000
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 199,743 in 2000. The 2024 figure is 25,837 lower.
9th in density
Kanawha County has about 192.9 residents per square mile of land, ranking 9th of 55 counties; West Virginia averages 73.6.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $60,943 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 14th of 55 West Virginia counties; the state median is $59,608.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $14.4 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 1st largest among 55 West Virginia counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 2.0% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS