Kanawha County, West Virginia
Kanawha County: county in West Virginia, United States
About
Kanawha County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 193,063 and a population density of 82 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 176,253 inhabitants. Its county seat is Charleston. The county was created 237 years ago in 1788.
County Snapshot
Kanawha County at a glance
Kanawha County currently has 22 quality-checked populated place pages linked on MapSof, making it easier to jump from the county overview into local city pages.
Mapped populated places
22
These counts use a stricter populated-place filter so the main lists stay focused on real city and town pages.
West Virginia counties
55
Open related pagesLargest city
CharlestonPopulation 45,879
Top linked places
Quick Facts about Kanawha County
| Population | 176,253 (2020) |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | West Virginia (United States) |
| Different from | Kanawha |
| Twitter username | kanawhaus |
| Area | 2359 km2 |
| Water as percent of area | 1% |
| Land as percent of area | 99% |
| Latitude & Longitude | 38.3366,-81.5281 |
| Named for | Kanawha River |
| Altitude | 1,050 feet / 320 meters |
| Capital | Charleston |
| Establishment | November 14, 1788 |
| Time Zone | America/New_York |
| Local time | 23:32:45 (18th April 2026) |
| Density | 75 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth | -9.54% (2010-2020) |
| Weather | 88℉ Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 7-days weather |
Geography
Kanawha County is located at 38°20'12"N 81°31'41"W (38.3365700, -81.5281200). It has 9 neighbors: Fayette County, Boone County, Roane County, Clay County, Jackson County, Lincoln County, Nicholas County, Putnam County and Raleigh County.
Kanawha County map
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The largest city of Kanawha County is Charleston with a population of 45,879. Other cities include, South Charleston population 12,036, Saint Albans population 9,763, Dunbar population 6,951 and Nitro population 6,285. See all Kanawha County cities & populated places.
Kanawha County Populated Places (more)
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Kanawha County.
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 45,879 | The capital of West Virginia. |
| South Charleston | 12,036 | City in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States |
| Cross Lanes | 9,995 | Census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia |
| Saint Albans | 9,763 | City in West Virginia |
| Dunbar | 6,951 | Town in East Lothian, Scotland |
| Nitro | 6,285 | Human settlement in Putnam County, West Virginia, United States of America |
| Sissonville | 4,028 | Census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia |
| Pinch | 3,262 | Place in West Virginia |
| Alum Creek | 1,749 | Census-designated place in West Virginia, USA |
| Montgomery | 1,492 | City in West Virginia, United States of America |
| Chesapeake | 1,393 | Town in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States |
| Marmet | 1,351 | City in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States of America |
| Coal Fork | 1,233 | Census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia |
| Elkview | 1,222 | Census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia |
| Tornado | 1,187 | Census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia |
| Belle | 1,108 | Town in West Virginia, United States |
Weather
Showers and thunderstorms likely after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 3 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of pre...
7-Day ForecastDemographics
According to census records, the population of Kanawha County decreased by 9.54% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 193,063 | - | census |
| 2011 | 192,183 | -0.46% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 192,248 | 0.03% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 191,539 | -0.37% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 190,355 | -0.62% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 188,282 | -1.1% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 186,196 | -1.12% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 183,385 | -1.53% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 180,410 | -1.65% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 178,124 | -1.28% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 176,253 | -1.06% | estimation process |
People born in Kanawha County (8)
People born in Kanawha County, including Confederate Army general Birkett D. Fry, labor leader Cecil Roberts, musician Clark Kessinger, .
More notable people
- Jimmy Carr (American football player and coach (1933-2012)) he was born in 25/03/1933
- Lewis Ruffner (American politician) he was born in 01/10/1797
- Joe Chrest (actor)
- Thelma Smith Williams (historian, author, university professor) she was born in 01/01/1925
- Hamilton Campbell (American daguerreotypist, ambrotypist, photographer, missionary, engraver, cabinetmaker) he was born in 01/01/1812
West Virginia Other Counties (more counties)
| County Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Berkeley County | 122,125 | County in West Virginia, United States of America |
| Monongalia County | 106,819 | County in West Virginia, United States |
| Cabell County | 91,589 | County in West Virginia, United States |
| Wood County | 82,938 | County in West Virginia, United States |
| Raleigh County | 72,920 | County in West Virginia, United States |
| Harrison County | 66,870 | County in West Virginia, United States |
| Mercer County | 58,258 | County in West Virginia, United States |
| Jefferson County | 57,486 | County in West Virginia, United States |
| Putnam County | 56,428 | County in West Virginia, United States |
| Marion County | 55,962 | County in West Virginia, United States |
| Charleston | 45,879 | The capital of West Virginia. |
| Huntington | 44,934 | The second-most populous city in West Virginia. |
| Fayette County | 42,062 | County in West Virginia, United States |
| Ohio County | 41,182 | County in West Virginia, United States |
| Wayne County | 39,054 | County in West Virginia, United States |
| Greenbrier County | 34,319 | County in West Virginia, United States |