Charleston, WV Demographics

A map of Charleston's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	36,221	36,216	76.4%	74.1%
Black	4,520	7,136	9.5%	14.6%
Multiracial	4,297	2,866	9.1%	5.9%
Asian	1,233	1,254	2.6%	2.6%
Hispanic	1,045	969	2.2%	2.0%
Native American/Other	105	423	0.2%	0.9%

Charleston, West Virginia has an estimated population of 47,421, a slight decrease from the 48,864 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 76.4% White, 9.5% Black, 9.1% Multiracial, 2.6% Asian, 2.2% Hispanic, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Charleston, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Charleston has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than West Virginia overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Charleston, that probability was 42.5% in 2020 and 39.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Charleston is ranked the most populous place in West Virginia, out of 439 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Charleston was ranked the 1st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Charleston's White Population

36,221 residents of Charleston, or 76.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Charleston is considerably lower than in West Virginia overall, where 89.7% of the population is White. Charleston ranks 416th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Charleston's population has increased from 74.1% to 76.4%.

Charleston is more White than neighboring Malden (74.1% White), and Rand (45% White). Charleston is less White than neighboring South Charleston (86.4% White), Dupont City (93.2% White), and Dunbar (77% White).

Charleston's Black Population

4,520 residents of Charleston, or 9.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Charleston is higher than in West Virginia overall, where 3.1% of the population is Black. Charleston ranks 20th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Black population has declined by an estimated 36.7%. Black residents' share of Charleston's population has decreased from 14.6% to 9.5%.

Charleston is more Black than neighboring South Charleston (5.1% Black), Malden (0% Black), Dupont City (4% Black), and Dunbar (7.6% Black). Charleston is less Black than neighboring Rand (36.6% Black).

Charleston's Asian Population

1,233 residents of Charleston, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Charleston is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Asian. Charleston ranks 11th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Asian population has declined by an estimated 1.7%. Asian residents' share of Charleston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.6%.

Charleston is more Asian than neighboring South Charleston (1.5% Asian), Malden (0% Asian), Rand (0% Asian), Dupont City (0% Asian), and Dunbar (0.8% Asian).

Charleston's Hispanic Population

1,045 residents of Charleston, or 2.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Charleston is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 2.1% of the population is Hispanic. Charleston ranks 94th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 7.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Charleston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.2%.

Charleston is more Hispanic than neighboring South Charleston (2% Hispanic), Malden (0% Hispanic), and Rand (0.3% Hispanic). Charleston is less Hispanic than neighboring Dupont City (2.8% Hispanic), and Dunbar (3.9% Hispanic).

Charleston's Native American/Other Population

105 residents of Charleston, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Charleston is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Charleston ranks 63rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 75.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Charleston's population has decreased from 0.9% to 0.2%.

Charleston is more Native American/Other than neighboring South Charleston (0.1% Native American/Other), Malden (0% Native American/Other), Rand (0% Native American/Other), and Dupont City (0% Native American/Other). Charleston is less Native American/Other than neighboring Dunbar (2.3% Native American/Other).

Charleston's Multiracial Population

4,297 residents of Charleston, or 9.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Charleston is higher than in West Virginia overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Charleston ranks 62nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 49.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Charleston's population has increased from 5.9% to 9.1%.

Charleston is more Multiracial than neighboring South Charleston (4.9% Multiracial), Dupont City (0% Multiracial), and Dunbar (8.4% Multiracial). Charleston is less Multiracial than neighboring Malden (25.9% Multiracial), and Rand (18.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.