Charleston, West Virginia Income Statistics
Charleston Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
C
Charleston Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Charleston | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,171 | $59,640 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $57,042 | $52,420 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.6% | 4.3% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 14.2% | 8.0% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 11.4% | 5.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Charleston is about 9% higher than in West Virginia. Income has been growing faster in Charleston (4.6%/yr) than in West Virginia (4.3%/yr).
About 14% of adults in Charleston earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the West Virginia average of 8%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Charleston, West Virginia grew by 59.9% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $65,171 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Charleston
| Metric | Charleston | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.562 | 0.554 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $68,887 | $61,809 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $57,344 | $47,573 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.8% | 23.0% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Charleston, it is 0.562, higher than West Virginia's 0.554, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.552, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 20% more than women's income in Charleston, West Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 20% wage gap accumulates to roughly $404,005 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Charleston, West Virginia has narrowed from about 25% to 17% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 27% in 2016, and was narrowest at 8% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $853 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Charleston | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 12.8% | 9.1% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,435 people are unemployed in Charleston, West Virginia.
The average commute time in Charleston is 15 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in West Virginia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Charleston, West Virginia has fallen from 7.4% to 6.9% in 2024. Over that period the rate fell as low as 5.2% in 2019.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Charleston, West Virginia has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat better than West Virginia, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Charleston, West Virginia.
How Rich Is Charleston, West Virginia?
Charleston has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $65,171, about 9% higher than the West Virginia average of $59,640.
How has median household income changed in Charleston, West Virginia?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Charleston, West Virginia rose 60%, from $40,770 to $65,171. Over the same years, income here kept pace with West Virginia as a whole: +60% against +60%.
What was the median household income in Charleston in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Charleston, West Virginia was $63,205, up 9% from $58,021 in 2022. The West Virginia median that year was $57,884.
What was the median household income in Charleston in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Charleston, West Virginia was $48,401. By 2024 it had risen 35% to $65,171.
Do many residents of Charleston, West Virginia earn over $100,000?
Yes. 14% of adults in Charleston, West Virginia earn $100,000 or more a year (about 1 in 7), against 8% (about 1 in 13) in West Virginia. 11% of households have a combined income of $200,000 or more, compared with 6% in West Virginia.
Is unemployment high in Charleston, West Virginia?
Unemployment in Charleston, West Virginia is 6.9%, well above the West Virginia rate of 5.4%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Charleston, West Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Charleston is 0.562. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Charleston, West Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Charleston, West Virginia has narrowed from about 25% to 17% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 27% in 2016, and was narrowest at 8% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $853 since 2009.
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