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Charleston, West Virginia — Kanawha County Population: As of April 1, 2000, Kanawha County has a population of 200,073. Between 1990 and 2000, Kanawha County has seen a 3.6 percent decrease in population. This contrasts the 13.2 percent population growth rate seen nationally. Kanawha County has a population density of about 222 people per square mile, significantly denser than the West Virginia average of about 75 people. Density is slightly lower than in 1990.
Unemployment/Income: The unemployment rate in Kanawha County has been steadily decreasing and, as of 2001, is comparable to the national average. In 2001, the county saw an unemployment rate of 4.0 percent compared to the national average of 4.8. This is down from the 1999 rate of 4.7 percent and from the 2000 rate of 4.3 percent. The Charleston and Kanawha County unemployment rate as of March 2004 is 4.7 percent. Kanawha County residents have a mean market income about $2,000 less than the national average ($23,207 compared to $25,676). Residents of Kanawha County are doing significantly better in terms of market income than other areas of West Virginia, where the mean income level is $16,772.
Poverty: Despite the relatively comparable average income, Kanawha County has a poverty rate higher than the national average. Year 2000 statistics indicate a 14.4 percent level of poverty compared to the national rate of 12.4 percent. This is down from Kanawha County’s 1990 poverty rate of 15.3 percent and up from the 1980 poverty rate of 10.6 percent.
Education: Kanawha County has an adult high school graduation rate of 80.0 percent in the year 2000 compared to the national average of 80.4 percent. The adult college graduate rate for Kanawha County (20.6 percent) is lower than the national rate (24.4 percent). Kanawha County has consistently performed below the national rates in both measurements of educational attainment. In 1990, Kanawha County had a high school graduation rate of 72.4 percent and a college graduation rate of 17.6 percent compared to the national rates of 75.2 and 20.3 percent respectively. In 1980, the high school graduation rate was 65.0 percent and the college graduation rate was 15.3 percent compared to national rates of 66.5 and 16.2 percent respectively.
Economic Status: Kanawha County has an economic classification level of Transitional for fiscal year 2004. This means that Kanawha County is below the national average on one or more of the three economic indicators (three-year average unemployment, per capita market income, and poverty) but does not fall into the Distressed category. Kanawha County performs under the national levels in the categories of per capita market income and poverty.
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