1st Advantage MortgageIn Kanawha County, West Virginia, the typical household earns $60,943 a year and the typical rent is $906. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in West Virginia before sharing details.
On this page
- Kanawha County by the numbers
- Employment and commuting in Kanawha County
- Household income in Kanawha County
- Renting and owning in Kanawha County
- Towns and communities in Kanawha County
- Kanawha County next to its neighbors
- More Kanawha County figures
- What the numbers mean for Kanawha County borrowers
- A Kanawha County household budget, worked through
- Checking a lender's license in West Virginia
- Four steps for Kanawha County borrowers
- More guides for Kanawha County
- Frequently asked questions
Kanawha County by the numbers
With an estimated 176,537 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Kanawha County ranks 1st of 55 in West Virginia for population. Land area is 902 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 196 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Charleston, WV metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 32 Census places inside Kanawha County, Charleston leads by population with about 47,421; 14 of the 32 are incorporated.
Employment and commuting in Kanawha County
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. Compared with West Virginia, the county leans toward finance, insurance and real estate (7% against 5%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.6% in Kanawha County. Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 9.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Kanawha County | Gap to West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.5% | +0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | -0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.1% | +1.7 pts |
| Public administration | 9.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.3% | -0.9 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.3% | +2.5 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Household income in Kanawha County
At $60,943, the typical Kanawha County household income is 7% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Households earning | Kanawha County | +/- vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.2% | -1.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.6% | +1.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.0% | -0.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.2% | +0.3 pts |
About 29% of households earn under $35,000, while 27% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 15.7%, 1 point lower than the state's 16.7%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.478 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Kanawha County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Renting and owning in Kanawha County
Renters in Kanawha County pay a median of $906 a month, 4% above the West Virginia figure of $872. By the Census definition, 47% of Kanawha County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $147,300, about 2.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 71%. The median home was built in 1966, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Kanawha County | West Virginia figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $906/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $147,300 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.5% | 13.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 15% | n/a |
Towns and communities in Kanawha County
32 Census places fall mainly inside Kanawha County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 114,818 residents, leaving about 35% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Tornado has the highest median household income on the list ($83,000) and Montgomery the lowest ($27,679), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Jefferson ($636) and steepest in Institute ($1,000). No Kanawha County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 32.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | city | 47,421 | $65,812 | $908 | 6 mi |
| South Charleston | city | 13,457 | $63,884 | $844 | 10 mi |
| St. Albans | city | 10,522 | $53,972 | $931 | 16 mi |
| Cross Lanes | CDP | 9,671 | $63,537 | $949 | 15 mi |
| Dunbar | city | 7,254 | $58,379 | $935 | 12 mi |
| Pinch | CDP | 4,037 | $76,741 | $916 | 6 mi |
| Sissonville | CDP | 3,593 | $66,944 | $796 | 13 mi |
| Chesapeake | town | 1,702 | $60,927 | $967 | 7 mi |
| Belle | town | 1,611 | $77,031 | $891 | 6 mi |
| Marmet | city | 1,524 | $52,115 | $854 | 6 mi |
| Montgomery | city | 1,516 | $27,679 | $671 | 15 mi |
| Coal Fork | CDP | 1,423 | $70,212 | n/a | 0 mi |
| Tornado | CDP | 1,114 | $83,000 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Rand | CDP | 1,064 | $61,047 | $953 | 4 mi |
Kanawha County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Boone County at 23 miles out to Lincoln County at 32. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Kanawha County; Putnam County is highest at $79,527 and Clay County lowest at $42,318.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanawha County | - | $60,943 | $906/mo | 71% |
| Boone County, WV | 23 mi | $57,093 | $837/mo | 81% |
| Putnam County, WV | 24 mi | $79,527 | $952/mo | 82% |
| Clay County, WV | 26 mi | $42,318 | $651/mo | 76% |
| Roane County, WV | 30 mi | $45,778 | $614/mo | 79% |
| Fayette County, WV | 31 mi | $53,194 | $788/mo | 78% |
| Lincoln County, WV | 32 mi | $46,205 | $771/mo | 74% |
More Kanawha County figures
Degree holders: 30% of adults over 25. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Kanawha County | West Virginia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.8 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.7% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.6% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.9% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.5% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.6% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.7% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.6% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 45.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
What the numbers mean for Kanawha County borrowers
What the Kanawha County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Rent squeeze. 47% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
A Kanawha County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Kanawha County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Kanawha County: $5,079
- 18% goes to median rent ($906)
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,125 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $906, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checking a lender's license in West Virginia
The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's West Virginia license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the West Virginia state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Kanawha County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Kanawha County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for West Virginia borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Kanawha County
The West Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Kanawha County earn?
The median is $60,943; 27% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Kanawha County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $906 against $872 statewide, and 47% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Kanawha County?
By population: Charleston, South Charleston, St. Albans, Cross Lanes, Dunbar. The county has 32 Census places in all.
Will a Kanawha County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming West Virginia as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who regulates personal lenders for Kanawha County residents?
The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in West Virginia; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.