Charleston, WV Demographics

A map of Charleston's Population by Race

Charleston, West Virginia had a population of 48,864 in 2020. It was 74.1% White, 14.6% Black, 2.6% Asian, 2.0% Hispanic, 0.9% Native American/Other, and 5.9% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Charleston, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Of the 439 places in West Virginia, Charleston is the most populous. 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's White Population

36,216 residents of Charleston identify as White, or 74.1%. This makes the White share of the population of Charleston less than the White share of the population of West Virginia (89.1% White). Of the 439 places in West Virginia, Charleston is ranked #416 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Charleston is more White than neighboring Rand (56.4% White). Charleston is less White than neighboring South Charleston (83% White), Malden (84.7% White), Dupont City (93.4% White), and Dunbar (76.1% White).

Charleston's Black Population

7,136 residents of Charleston identify as Black, or 14.6%. This makes the Black share of the population of Charleston slightly larger than the Black share of the population of West Virginia (3.6% Black). Of the 439 places in West Virginia, Charleston is ranked #20 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Charleston is more Black than neighboring South Charleston (8.1% Black), Malden (9% Black), Dupont City (0.7% Black), and Dunbar (13.5% Black). Charleston is less Black than neighboring Rand (32.9% Black).

Charleston's Asian Population

1,254 residents of Charleston identify as Asian, or 2.6%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Charleston roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of West Virginia (0.8% Asian). Of the 439 places in West Virginia, Charleston is ranked #10 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Charleston is more Asian than neighboring South Charleston (1.2% Asian), Malden (0% Asian), Rand (0.4% Asian), Dupont City (0% Asian), and Dunbar (1.4% Asian).

Charleston's Hispanic Population

969 residents of Charleston identify as Hispanic, or 2.0%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Charleston roughly similar to the Hispanic share of the population of West Virginia (1.9% Hispanic). Of the 439 places in West Virginia, Charleston is ranked #88 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Charleston is more Hispanic than neighboring South Charleston (1.8% Hispanic), Malden (0.7% Hispanic), Rand (1.3% Hispanic), and Dunbar (1.8% Hispanic). Charleston is less Hispanic than neighboring Dupont City (2.2% Hispanic).

Charleston's Native American/Other Population

423 residents of Charleston identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.9%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Charleston roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of West Virginia (0.5% Native American/Other). Of the 439 places in West Virginia, Charleston is ranked #49 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Charleston is more Native American/Other than neighboring South Charleston (0.8% Native American/Other), Dupont City (0.5% Native American/Other), and Dunbar (0.6% Native American/Other). Charleston is less Native American/Other than neighboring Rand (1.2% Native American/Other).

Charleston's Multiracial Population

2,866 residents of Charleston identify as Multiracial, or 5.9%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Charleston roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of West Virginia (4% Multiracial). Of the 439 places in West Virginia, Charleston is ranked #58 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Charleston is more Multiracial than neighboring South Charleston (5% Multiracial), Malden (4.7% Multiracial), and Dupont City (3.3% Multiracial). Charleston is less Multiracial than neighboring Rand (7.7% Multiracial), and Dunbar (6.6% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.