Kanawha County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Kanawha County, WV, had a population of approximately 180,745. The racial composition was 86.2% White, 7.9% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race made up about 1.4% of the population. The median household income was around $48,000, and 17.7% of residents lived below the poverty line. The county seat and largest city is Charleston, which is the state capital.

As of 2023, Kanawha County, WV has a median home value of around $110,000. The median rent stands at approximately $750 per month. The homeownership rate is about 70%. The average household size is 2.3 persons, and there are roughly 90,000 housing units in the county. The vacancy rate for rental properties is approximately 9%. About 26% of households spend 30% or more of their income on housing, indicating potential affordability issues for some residents.

In the Kanawha County, WV elections, candidates compete for various local government positions. As of the last major election cycle, the contested positions include County Commissioners, Board Of Education members, and other county officials.

County Commission:

• Ben Salango (Democratic Incumbent)
• Lance Wheeler (Republican Challenger)

Board of Education: The Board typically has non-partisan races with several seats up for election. Recent candidates include:

• Tracy White
• Ryan White
• Jim Crawford

Sheriff:

• Mike Rutherford (Democratic Incumbent)
• Chuck Clark (Republican Challenger)

Voter turnout in the most recent elections was approximately 47%.

Democratic candidates often perform strongly due to the county’s mixed urban-rural demographic. Election details are available at the county courthouse and the Kanawha County Clerk's official website. For accurate and current information, always refer to official announcements and resources.

As of the latest data available, Kanawha County, WV has an educational attainment that shows variation across different levels of education. Approximately 87.2% of residents aged 25 and older have a high school diploma or higher, which is in line with the state average of around 86.5%, but lower than the national average of about 89.5%. For higher education, around 24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is above the state average of approximately 20.3%, yet below the national average of roughly 33.1%. Overall, while Kanawha County is relatively well-educated compared to West Virginia as a whole, it trails behind the national average in higher education attainment.

As of the most recent data, Kanawha County, WV has a labor force participation rate of approximately 55.3%, slightly lower than the state average of around 56.8%, and significantly below the national average of about 61%. The county’s unemployment rate hovers around 5.5%, slightly above the national average of 3.7% and similar to the state rate of 5.5%.

Key industries in Kanawha County include healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and educational services. Specifically, healthcare employs about 18% of the workforce, which is higher than the national average of approximately 14%. Retail trade employs about 12%, closely aligning with the national average of 11%. Educational services employ around 10%, somewhat higher than the national average of 9%.

The emphasis on healthcare and educational services reflects both state and national trends but is particularly pronounced in Kanawha County due to its role as a regional medical and educational hub.

As of the most recent data, the median household income in Kanawha County, WV is approximately $48,000. This is below both the national and state averages. For comparison, the median household income in the United States is around $68,700, while the median household income in West Virginia is about $48,850. Kanawha County's income levels reflect economic challenges typical of many areas within West Virginia.

Kanawha County's median income is significantly lower than the national average and also slightly below the state average. This context illustrates the broader economic disparity within and outside of West Virginia.

As of the latest available data, Kanawha County, WV, has encountered varying crime rates across different categories. Here are some key statistics:

These figures are reflective of the annual crime reports and provide an overview of the current safety situation within the county. Significant efforts are ongoing to enhance public safety and reduce these numbers through community programs and enhanced law enforcement initiatives. Please note that crime statistics can fluctuate, and it's advisable to consult local law enforcement reports for the most current data.