Kanawha County, West Virginia

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,359 km² (911 mi²). 2,339 km² (903 mi²) of it is land and 20 km² (8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.87% water.

Demographics As of the census¹ of 2000, there are 200,073 people, 86,226 households, and 55,960 families residing in the county. The population density is 86/km² (222/mi²). There are 93,788 housing units at an average density of 40/km² (104/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 90.46% White, 6.97% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 86,226 households out of which 26.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.00% are married couples living together, 12.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% are non-families. 30.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.28 and the average family size is 2.84.

In the county, the population is spread out with 21.30% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 90.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $33,766, and the median income for a family is $42,568. Males have a median income of $33,842 versus $24,188 for females. The per capita income for the county is $20,354. 14.40% of the population and 11.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 20.60% are under the age of 18 and 10.50% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Belle
• Cedar Grove
• Charleston
• Chesapeake
• Clendenin
• Coal Fork
• Cross Lanes
• Dunbar
• East Bank
• Elkview
• Glasgow
• Handley
• Jefferson
• Marmet
• Nitro
• Pinch
• Pratt
• Sissonville
• South Charleston
• St. Albans
• Tornado