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Charleston

#2 in Best Places to Live in Kanawha County
  • B+
    Overall Grade
  • Town in West Virginia
  • 135 reviews
    B+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      B-
    2. Crime & Safety
      C-
    3. Housing
      B-
    4. Nightlife
      A
    5. Good for Families
      B
    6. Diversity
      A-
    7. Jobs
      B-
    8. Weather
      B
    9. Cost of Living
      B+
    10. Health & Fitness
      B
    11. Outdoor Activities
      B+
    12. Commute
      A
    View Full Report Card
    Charleston is a town in West Virginia with a population of 49,384. Charleston is in Kanawha County. Living in Charleston offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Charleston there are a lot of bars and parks. Many young professionals live in Charleston and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Charleston are above average.
    Population
    49,384

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $149,800
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $701
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Dense Suburban
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      43%
    • Own
      57%
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    Charleston Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    C-
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      469.8
      282.7
    • Murder
      21.1
      6.1
    • Rape
      105.3
      40.7
    • Robbery
      101.1
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      1,390.4
      500.1
    • Theft
      4,101.5
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      518.2
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    A-
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      12%
    • 10-17 years
      8%
    • 18-24 years
      9%
    • 25-34 years
      13%
    • 35-44 years
      12%
    • 45-54 years
      13%
    • 55-64 years
      15%
    • 65+ years
      17%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      19%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      20%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      26%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      27%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      8%
      13%

    Working in Charleston

    Jobs
    B-
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $45,797
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Charleston
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    Charleston Reviews

    135 reviews
    All Categories
    Charleston is a very great place to live! With the amount of things you can do here is remarkable for a vacation, a time to unwind, or simply just for a day out. We have many parks and centers you can visit such as New River Gorge, Harper's Ferry, Blackwater Falls, and Seneca Rocks are just a few! There is also a wonderful downtown area in Charleston that is great to walk around with friends throughout the day to grab a quick bite for lunch, or to enjoy during the night time in the summers where many events take place (Live at the Levee, Art Walk, FestivALL).
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    Living in the Historic East End of Charleston has provided us with some amazing artistic opportunities. The Clay Center allows for numerous art showcases and chances for our young son to experience events that not only stimulate his mind, but also his creativity. Our neighborhood is safe and affordable, with many other young families. For entertainment, we are only blocks away from the beautiful cobble streets of downtown, and the other end of town is our glorious state capitol. We are blessed to live in such a vibrant, engaging, and social community. Charleston is on the move upwards and is a definite place to visit, play, and stay!
    Charleston is a small, big city! There are plenty of free things to do if you know where to search. Check out the West Virginia State Museum while taking in the beauty of our state capital. Art Walk, which takes place every third Thursday of each month, features free drinks and a chance to view locally created masterpieces! There are many mom and pop shops downtown such as Taylor Books, Ellens, Stray Dog Antiques, and more. All of these places have great atmosphere, and they have bulletins posted everywhere with upcoming events.