South Charleston, West Virginia Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of South Charleston, West Virginia is 13,594 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 12th-largest city in West Virginia. The median household income is $59,616, the median home value is $144,800, and the median age is 41.1.
The population has declined 2.2% since 2010 (13,475 → 13,177).
13,594
Population
1393
People / sq mi
$59,616
Median Income
$144,800
Median Home Value
South Charleston covers 9.8 sq mi of land at 1393 people per square mile.
About South Charleston, WV
South Charleston is a city in West Virginia with a population of 13,594. It ranks #12 among cities in West Virginia by population. The median age is 41.1, older than the national median. The population is 46.7% male and 53.3% female.
The median household income in South Charleston is $59,616, below the US median of $74,580. 21.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $144,800, with monthly rent averaging $857. The homeownership rate of 68.9% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in South Charleston reflects 35.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 8.3% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 18.9 minutes each way.
South Charleston city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of South Charleston city had a population of 13,475 in 2010 and 13,177 in 2024, a -2.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 13,836 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: -0.08%.
13,177
Population (2024)
13,475
Population (2010)
13,836
Peak (2020)
-0.08%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 13,475 |
| 2011 | 13,387 |
| 2012 | 13,357 |
| 2013 | 13,269 |
| 2014 | 13,126 |
| 2015 | 12,919 |
| 2016 | 12,721 |
| 2017 | 12,473 |
| 2018 | 12,232 |
| 2019 | 12,047 |
| 2020 | 13,836 |
| 2021 | 13,610 |
| 2022 | 13,389 |
| 2023 | 13,256 |
| 2024 | 13,177 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 85.2% |
| Black or African American | 7.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$59,616
Median Household Income
$35,898
Per Capita Income
21.4%
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$144,800
Median Home Value
$857
Median Rent
68.9%
Owner-Occupied
Education
95.7%
High School+
35.3%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.9%
Drive Alone
77.7%
Public Transit
8.3%
Work From Home
18.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
21.5%
Foreign Born
98.4%
Non-English at Home
5.5%
Veterans
17.3%
With Disability
95.5%
Health Insurance
94.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 26.2% |
| Public Administration | 9.8% |
| Information | 9.4% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 8.1% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.7% |
| Retail Trade | 6.3% |
| Manufacturing | 5.8% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.9% |
| Construction | 3.0% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.1% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.0% |
Largest cities in West Virginia
Largest counties in West Virginia
Part of West Virginia
Metro areas in West Virginia
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
South Charleston, West Virginia has a population of 13,594 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 12th-largest city in West Virginia.
The median household income in South Charleston, West Virginia is $59,616, with 21.4% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in South Charleston, West Virginia is $144,800, with median monthly rent at $857 and a homeownership rate of 68.9%.
The median age in South Charleston, West Virginia is 41.1 years. The population is 46.7% male and 53.3% female.
The population has declined 2.2% since 2010 (13,475 → 13,177).
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Statewide data for West Virginia
Population, race, income, age, and trends across West Virginia
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.