Population
172,381
2025
−4.3% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Kanawha County, WV: population growth, jobs and income
Kanawha County lost 1,042 residents between 2024 and 2025 (−0.6%).
Kanawha County had an estimated 172,381 residents in 2025, down 4.3% (7,834 fewer people) since 2020. That is slower than West Virginia as a whole (−1.4%), and the 36th fastest growth of 55 counties in West Virginia.
Data as of 2025 · updated
14-day full refund · Stripe, Apple Pay or Google Pay · Instant PDF + CSV · Sold by Simply Stats LLC (NC)
How we compute every number · Refund terms
In the Kanawha County report
One-time $99 PDF: everything on this page for Kanawha County, ranked against West Virginia and the U.S., plus these figures that are not on the free page:
- Median gross rent$906/mo2020–24
- Vacant homes, incl. seasonal and second homes15.4%2020–24
- New homes permitted, last 12 months812025-10/2026-09
- Rent growth, 5 yearsIn the report
- Permits in 5+ unit buildingsIn the report
- IRS income moving in (net AGI)In the report
- Neighbouring-county comparison tableIn the report
What's inside: 5 pages
- 1 Summary, headline numbers and ranks (free preview)
- 2 Ranks and the neighbouring-county table
- 3 Migration, with IRS mover and income flows
- 4 Rent, vacant homes, permits and employers
- 5 Every source and the methods
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
−126
2025
−0.7 per 1,000 residents
−2,595 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Unemployment rate
4.1%
2025
−0.6 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
97
2025
−56.1% since 2021
0.6 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$60,943
2020–24
+29.3% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
74,799
2023
−6.3% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration was negative in 2025: 126 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.
Private employers had 74,799 paid employees in mid-March 2023, −6.3% since 2018 (County Business Patterns).
Unemployment averaged 4.1% in 2025, 0.6 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 97 new homes in 2025, or 0.6 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $60,943 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +29.3% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 2,869th.
Part of the Charleston, WV metro area.
Get Kanawha County’s next numbers by email
Email me when Kanawha County gets new Census numbers: population, building permits, jobs and income. About 4 emails a year, one click to stop.
Kanawha County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 172,381 | −1,042 |
| 2024 | 173,423 | −1,011 |
| 2023 | 174,434 | −1,430 |
| 2022 | 175,864 | −2,260 |
| 2021 | 178,124 | −2,091 |
| 2020 | 180,215 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Kanawha County
Kanawha County lost 7,834 people since 2020; the biggest drag was natural change (−5,975).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −1,001 | −5,975 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +75 | +767 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | −126 | −2,595 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +10 | −31 | |
| Total change | −1,042 | −7,834 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In West Virginia | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 36th of 55 | 2,869th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 37th of 55 | 2,038th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 43rd of 55 | 2,597th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 14th of 55 | 1,975th of 3,107 |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 15th of 55 | 1,737th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 29th of 54 | 2,379th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
Get the county report — $99
The County Growth and Demographics Report for Kanawha County, WV as a PDF, from federal data: population and migration, housing and rents, permits, private employers and jobs, unemployment, ranks in the state and the country, and neighbouring counties, with a source next to every number. Pay once, no subscription.
Add 2 neighbouring counties for $50: the Raleigh County and Putnam County reports too, $149 for all 3.
Preview page 1 of the Kanawha County report (free, PDF) · See a full 5-page sample (PDF) · Other counties and options
Every purchase also includes a CSV of every table in the report, ready for a spreadsheet.
- Not useful? Email us within 14 days for a full refund
- Sold by Simply Stats LLC (NC)
- Secure Stripe checkout (Apple Pay/Google Pay)
- Instant PDF download
- PDF + CSV of every table
Refund terms: Terms. · How we compute every number
Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Kanawha County's population change (−4.3%) was ahead of 5 of its 9 neighbouring counties and behind 4.
Only Putnam County had a higher median household income (2020–24) among its 9 neighbouring counties; Kanawha County's was $60,943.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanawha County, WV This county | 172,381 | −4.3% | −0.7 | 0.6 | $60,943 |
| Boone County, WV | 20,251 | −6.9% | −0.8 | 0.3 | $57,093 |
| Putnam County, WV | 56,885 | −1.0% | 2.3 | 2.1 | $79,527 |
| Roane County, WV | 13,317 | −4.8% | −3.5 | 1.6 | $45,778 |
| Clay County, WV | 7,538 | −5.9% | −8.5 | 1.5 | $42,318 |
| Fayette County, WV | 38,165 | −5.6% | −1.5 | 0.7 | $53,194 |
| Jackson County, WV | 27,450 | −1.0% | 2.5 | 0.0 | $58,845 |
| Lincoln County, WV | 19,177 | −5.9% | −0.7 | 0.6 | $46,205 |
| Raleigh County, WV | 71,775 | −3.5% | 0.2 | 0.7 | $52,150 |
| Nicholas County, WV | 23,848 | −2.9% | 3.0 | 0.1 | $54,639 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
Questions
Is Kanawha County growing?
No. Its population fell 4.3% between 2020 and 2025, about 7,834 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates). West Virginia as a whole changed −1.4% over the same years. That ranks 36th of 55 counties in West Virginia for population growth.
How many people moved to Kanawha County?
On net, none in 2025: about 126 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
What is the unemployment rate in Kanawha County?
It averaged 4.1% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
What is the population of Kanawha County?
About 172,381 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
How many jobs are in Kanawha County?
Private employers there had 74,799 paid employees in mid-March 2023, −6.3% since 2018 (Census Bureau County Business Patterns; government jobs and the self-employed are not counted).
What Beacon CRE covers in West Virginia
Map, parcel and listing layers cover North and South Carolina only for now. This page and the other West Virginia county pages carry the public federal growth figures.
Kanawha County data alerts
Email me when Kanawha County gets new Census numbers: population, building permits, jobs and income. About 4 emails a year, one click to stop.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.
Jobs outside North and South Carolina use County Business Patterns (paid private-sector employees in mid-March); wages and government jobs are not included.