Kanawha County, West Virginia: Difference between revisions

{{For|the census-designated place in Wood County|Kanawha, West Virginia}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}

| county = Kanawha County

| state = West Virginia

| seal = Seal of Kanawha County, West Virginia.png

| founded year = 1789

| founded date = October 5

| seat wl = Charleston

| largest city wl = Charleston

| named for = [[Kanawha River]]

| area_total_sq_mi = 911

| area_land_sq_mi = 902

| area_water_sq_mi = 9.3

| area percentage = 1.0%

| population_as_of = 2020

| population_total = 180745

| pop_est_as_of = 2021

| population_est = 177952 {{decrease}}

| population_density_sq_mi = auto

| time zone = Eastern

| web = www.kanawha.us

| ex image = Kanawha County Courthouse.jpg

| ex image cap = [[Kanawha County Courthouse]] in Charleston

| district = 1st

| flag = Flag of Kanawha County, West Virginia.svg

'''Kanawha County''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˈ|n|ɔː|ə}} {{respell|kə|NAW|ə}}) is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[West Virginia]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 180,745,<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/kanawhacountywestvirginia/PST045221 |access-date=July 6, 2022 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> making it West Virginia's most populous county.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Shauna |date=March 25, 2016 |title=West Virginia losing more people than any other state |url=https://wvmetronews.com/2016/03/25/west-virginia-losing-more-people-than-any-other-state/ |access-date=February 9, 2021 |website=WV MetroNews |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Charleston, West Virginia|Charleston]],<ref name="GR6">{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> which is also the [[List of capitals in the United States|state capital]] and [[List of municipalities in West Virginia|most populous city]].

The county began taking formation on November 14, 1788, under the authorization of the Virginia General Assembly and was founded on October 5, 1789. The county was named for the [[Kanawha River]], which in turn was named after a Native American tribe that lived in the area.<ref name="WV Culture and History">{{Cite web |title=West Virginia Counties |url=http://www.wvculture.org/history/wvcounties.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010923185022/http://www.wvculture.org/history/wvcounties.html |archive-date=September 23, 2001 |access-date=February 24, 2014 |publisher=West Virginia Division of Culture and History}} (WV County Etymology)</ref> During the [[American Civil War]], a number of state [[infantry]] and [[cavalry]] regiments were organized in the county for both [[Confederate Army]] and [[Union Army]] service.

In 1863 West Virginia's counties were divided into [[civil township]]s, with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into [[minor civil division|magisterial districts]].<ref>Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, ''West Virginia: A History'', 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.</ref> Kanawha County was divided into ten districts: Big Sandy, Cabin Creek, Charleston, Elk, Jefferson, Loudon, Malden, Poca,{{efn-lr|Originally "Pocatalico".}} Union, and Washington. In the 1970s the historic districts were consolidated into five new magisterial districts: District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4, and District 5. A District 6 was created in the 1980s, but in the 1990s the county was redistricted again, reducing the number of magisterial districts to four: District 1, District 2, District 3, and District 4.<ref>[[United States Census Bureau]], [[United States Census|U.S. Decennial Census]], Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|911|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|902|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|9.3|sqmi}} (1.0%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_54.txt |access-date=July 24, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It is the fourth-largest county in West Virginia by area.

*[[Image:I-79 (WV).svg|20px]] [[Interstate 79#West Virginia|Interstate 79]]

|estyear=2022

|estimate=175515

|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=July 6, 2022}}</ref>

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=January 10, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=January 10, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wv190090.txt |access-date=January 10, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=January 10, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />

=== 2020 census ===

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 180,745 people and 77,634 households residing in the county. There were 90,234 housing units in Kanawha. The racial makeup of the county was 85% [[White American|White]], 7.5% [[African American]], 1.2% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.2% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.75% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#Race|other races]], and 5.3% from [[Multiracial American|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics or Latinos]] of any race were 1.6% of the population.

Of the 23,278 households, 43% were married couples living together, 30.3% had a female householder with no spouse present, 19.8% had a male householder with no spouse present.The average household and family size was 2.89. The median age in the county was 43.7 years with 20.2%ofthe population under 18. The median income for a household was $56,112 and the poverty rate was 15.8%<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Kanawha_County,_West_Virginia?g=050XX00US54039 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census===

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 193,063 people, 84,201 households, and 52,172 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{Cite web |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US54039 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213010509/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US54039 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|214.1|PD/sqmi}}. There were 92,618 housing units at an average density of {{convert|102.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US54039 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213193100/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US54039 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 89.1% white, 7.3% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 14.8% were [[Germans|German]], 14.2% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 13.9% were [[English people|English]], and 13.4% were [[Americans|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{Cite web |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US54039 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213014420/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US54039 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Of the 84,201 households, 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.0% were non-families, and 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 42.4 years.<ref name="census-dp1" />

The median income for a household in the county was $42,669 and the median income for a family was $54,203. Males had a median income of $42,522 versus $31,754 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,439. About 9.7% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{Cite web |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US54039 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213035015/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US54039 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

=== 2000 census ===

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=May 14, 2011 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> of 2000, there were 200,073 people, 86,226 households, and 55,960 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|222|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 93,788 housing units at an average density of {{convert|104|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 90.46% [[White American|White]], 6.97% [[African American|Black or African American]], 0.21% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.85% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander American|Pacific Islander]], 0.21% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|other races]], and 1.27% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanics or Latinos]] of any race.

There were 86,226 households, out of which 26.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.00% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. 30.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.84.

The age distribution was 21.30% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,766, and the median income for a family was $42,568. Males had a median income of $33,842 versus $24,188 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $20,354. About 11.20% of families and 14.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.60% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

Kanawha County was dominated by the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] for much of the 20th century, albeit to a lesser extent than much of West Virginia. Since 2004 it has been won by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]s in presidential elections, although, as an urban county, the swing to the Republicans has not been as vast as in much of the rest of the state. The county seat and state capital of Charleston is heavily Democratic.

{{PresHead|place=Kanawha County, West Virginia|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=March 27, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>|source2=<ref>The leading "other" candidate, [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912)|Progressive]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]], received 3,071 votes, while Socialist candidate [[Eugene V. Debs|Eugene Debs]] received 1,780 votes.</ref>}}

<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|46,398|34,344|1,508|West Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,780|6,658|9,431|West Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1908|Republican|9,663|7,117|974|West Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|8,857|5,756|495|West Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1900|Republican|7,249|4,736|63|West Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1896|Republican|6,948|4,824|75|West Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1892|Republican|5,078|4,549|296|West Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1888|Republican|4,541|3,089|677|West Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1884|Republican|4,240|2,820|128|West Virginia}}

{{PresFoot|1880|Democratic|2,112|2,378|1,604|West Virginia}}

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there are approximately 5,481 private sector businesses within Kanawha County. There are 89,768 people who are currently employed who live in Kanawha County.<ref>{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54/54039.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607093251/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54/54039.html |archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref>

* FestivALL<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home {{!}} FestivAll |url=http://www.festivallcharleston.com/ |access-date=March 27, 2018 |website=www.festivallcharleston.com |language=en}}</ref>

* Live on the Levee<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live on the Levee |url=http://liveontheleveecharleston.com/ |access-date=March 27, 2018 |website=liveontheleveecharleston.com |language=en}}</ref>

* Vandalia Gathering<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vandalia Gathering |url=http://www.wvculture.org/vandalia/index.html |access-date=March 27, 2018 |website=www.wvculture.org}}</ref>

* Rib Fest<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau {{!}} 18th Annual Barbecue Ribfest |url=http://southcharlestonwv.org/16th-annual-barbecue-ribfest/ |access-date=March 27, 2018 |website=southcharlestonwv.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

* Charleston Rod Run Doo Wop<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 Charleston Rod Run & Doo Wop |url=http://www.charlestonwvcarshow.com/ |access-date=March 27, 2018 |website=www.charlestonwvcarshow.com}}</ref>

* Pinch Reunion<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2012 |title=WV MetroNews – Pinch Lays Claim To Oldest Reunion |url=http://wvmetronews.com/pinch-lays-claim-to-oldest-reunion/ |access-date=March 27, 2018 |website=wvmetronews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

* St. Albans Festival of Lights<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saint Albans Festival of Lights |url=http://www.salights.com/index.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226072021/http://salights.com/index.cfm |archive-date=December 26, 2012 |access-date=February 28, 2013}}</ref>

*[[Sharon, West Virginia|Sharon]]

* [[Jon Elmore]], [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] basketball player

* [[Ann Magnuson]] is an American actress, performance artist, and nightclub performer.

* [[Les Palmer (American football)|Les Palmer]], [[List of NFL champions (1920–1969)|NFL champion]] football player

* [[Jason Williams (basketball, born 1975)|Jason Williams]], an American former professional basketball player who was a point guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for twelve seasons

* Scott A. MacKenzie. "The Slaveholders' War: The Secession Crisis in Kanawha County, Western Virginia, 1860-1861," ''West Virginia History: A Journal of Regional Studies'' - New Series, Volume 4, Number 1, Spring 2010, pp.&nbsp;33–57 in [[Project MUSE]]

* Dunbar, WV - http://www.wvcommerce.org/travel/travelplanner/attraction/Dunbar-Convention-and-Visitors-Bureau-CVB/3843/default.aspx {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207211122/http://www.wvcommerce.org/travel/travelplanner/attraction/dunbar-convention-and-visitors-bureau-cvb/3843/default.aspx |date=February 7, 2011 }}

[[Category:West Virginia placenames of Native American origin]]