Kanawha County, West Virginia Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 1st-largest in West Virginia

The population of Kanawha County, West Virginia is 178,198 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 1st-largest county in West Virginia. The median household income is $58,887, the median home value is $135,000, and the median age is 43.7.

The population of Kanawha County has declined 9.9% since 2010 (192,925 → 173,906), a -0.74% annualized rate.

Kanawha County within West Virginia · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

178,198

Population

-0.74%

Annual growth

198

People / sq mi

$58,887

Median Income

$135,000

Median Home Value

Kanawha County covers 902 sq mi of land at 197.6 people per square mile.

About Kanawha County, WV

Kanawha County is a county in West Virginia with a population of 178,198. It ranks #1 among counties in West Virginia by population. The median age is 43.7, older than the national median. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

The median household income in Kanawha County is $58,887, below the US median of $74,580. 12.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $135,000, with monthly rent averaging $879. The homeownership rate of 70.2% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Kanawha County reflects 29.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below 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 22.5 minutes each way.

Kanawha County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Kanawha County had a population of 192,925 in 2010 and 173,906 in 2024, a -9.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 192,925 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.74%.

173,906

Population (2024)

192,925

Population (2010)

192,925

Peak (2010)

-0.74%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	192,925	-	-	estimate
2011	192,216	-709	-0.37%	estimate
2012	192,306	+90	+0.05%	estimate
2013	191,625	-681	-0.35%	estimate
2014	190,458	-1,167	-0.61%	estimate
2015	188,399	-2,059	-1.08%	estimate
2016	186,400	-1,999	-1.06%	estimate
2017	183,525	-2,875	-1.54%	estimate
2018	180,497	-3,028	-1.65%	estimate
2019	178,393	-2,104	-1.17%	estimate
2020	180,208	+1,815	+1.02%	estimate
2021	178,071	-2,137	-1.19%	estimate
2022	175,899	-2,172	-1.22%	estimate
2023	174,602	-1,297	-0.74%	estimate
2024	173,906	-696	-0.40%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	86.9%
Black or African American	6.2%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.0%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

43.7

Median Age

51.5%

Female

48.5%

Male

21.7%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.0%

5–9

5.4%

10–14

6.0%

15–19

5.7%

20–24

5.4%

25–34

12.3%

35–44

12.0%

45–54

12.4%

55–59

7.0%

60–64

7.1%

65–74

13.1%

75–84

6.1%

85+

2.5%

Children (under 15): 16.4% · Seniors (65+): 21.7%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$58,887+$970 vs state
Mean household income	$81,423
Per-capita income	$36,168
Poverty rate	12.3%+0.4% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.0%
Employment-to-population	52.3%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

27.8%

Finance & real estate

9.9%

Public administration

9.0%

Education & health care

8.7%

Information

6.9%

Manufacturing

5.4%

Retail trade

5.2%

Arts, entertainment & food

5.1%

The largest employment sector in Kanawha County is professional & business services, accounting for 27.8% of workers.

How residents commute

1.7%

Drive alone

2.8%

Carpool

77.9%

Public transit

8.3%

Work from home

22.5 min

Avg commute

Housing

$135,000$-20,600 vs state

Median home value

$879

Median rent

70.2%

Homeownership rate

90,388

Total housing units

85.0%

Occupied

15.0%

Vacant

29.8%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

95.3%

With health insurance

91.7%

With broadband internet

17.1%

Foreign-born

7.0%

Veterans (18+)

19.7%

With a disability

97.6%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

90.7%

High School+

29.3%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in West Virginia

Charleston (47,918)Huntington (46,189)Morgantown (30,273)Parkersburg (29,461)Wheeling (26,670)Martinsburg (18,805)Weirton (18,785)Fairmont (18,303)Beckley (16,977)Clarksburg (15,829)All West Virginia cities →

Other counties in West Virginia

Berkeley County (126,165)Monongalia County (106,520)Cabell County (93,300)Wood County (83,829)Raleigh County (73,666)Harrison County (65,407)Mercer County (59,062)Jefferson County (58,546)Putnam County (57,250)Marion County (56,042)All West Virginia counties →

Part of West Virginia

West Virginia demographic profile All West Virginia data →

Metro areas in West Virginia

Washington (6,263,796)Huntington (372,801)Hagerstown (298,525)Charleston (207,456)Winchester (144,676)Morgantown (140,724)Wheeling (138,015)Weirton (115,566)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Kanawha County, West Virginia has a population of 178,198 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 1st-largest county in West Virginia. Population density is 198 people per square mile.

The population of Kanawha County has declined 9.9% since 2010 (192,925 → 173,906), a -0.74% annualized rate.

The median household income in Kanawha County, West Virginia is $58,887, with mean (average) household income of $81,423 and per-capita income of $36,168. 12.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Kanawha County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (86.9%), Black or African American (6.2%), Hispanic or Latino (1.0%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Kanawha County, West Virginia is 43.7 years. Residents are 51.5% female and 48.5% male.

The median home value in Kanawha County is $135,000 and median monthly rent is $879. 70.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 90,388 total housing units, 15.0% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Kanawha County, West Virginia is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 27.8% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.

Charleston is among the largest cities associated with Kanawha County, West Virginia, with a population of 47,918.