# Kanawha County, West Virginia

Kanawha County (/kəˈnɔːə/ kə-NAW-ə) is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 180,745, making it West Virginia's most populous county. The county seat is Charleston, which is also the state capital and most populous city. Kanawha County is part of the Charleston, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.

## History

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. 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 townships, with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts. Kanawha County was divided into ten districts: Big Sandy, Cabin Creek, Charleston, Elk, Jefferson, Loudon, Malden, Poca, 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.
Kanawha County was the site of a bloody miners' strike in 1912, and a school textbook controversy in 1974, that resulted in bombings, and received national attention.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 911 square miles (2,360 km$^2$), of which 902 square miles (2,340 km$^2$) is land and 9.3 square miles (24 km$^2$) (1.0%) is water. It is the fourth-largest county in West Virginia by area.

### Adjacent counties

* Roane County (north)
* Clay County (northeast)
* Nicholas County (east)
* Fayette County (east)
* Raleigh County (southeast)
* Boone County (south)
* Lincoln County (southwest)
* Putnam County (west)
* Jackson County (northwest)

### Major highways

* Interstate 64
* Interstate 77
* Interstate 79
* U.S. Route 60
* U.S. Route 119
* West Virginia Route 4
* West Virginia Route 25
* West Virginia Route 34
* West Virginia Route 61
* West Virginia Route 62
* West Virginia Route 94
* West Virginia Route 114
* West Virginia Route 214
* West Virginia Route 501
* West Virginia Route 601
* West Virginia Route 622
* West Virginia Route 817

## Demographics
### 2020 census

As of the 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, 7.5% African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.75% from other races, and 5.3% from two or more races. 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% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $56,112 and the poverty rate was 15.8%

### 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. The population density was 214.1 inhabitants per square mile (82.7/km$^2$). There were 92,618 housing units at an average density of 102.7 units per square mile (39.7 units/km$^2$). 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. In terms of ancestry, 14.8% were German, 14.2% were Irish, 13.9% were English, and 13.4% were American.
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.
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.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 200,073 people, 86,226 households, and 55,960 families living in the county. The population density was 222 people per square mile (86 people/km$^2$). There were 93,788 housing units at an average density of 104 units per square mile (40 units/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 90.46% White, 6.97% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were 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 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.

## Politics

Kanawha County was dominated by the 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 Republicans 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.
United States presidential election results for Kanawha County, West Virginia :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 43,352 | 57.39% | 30,231 | 40.02% | 1,955 | 2.59% |
| 2020 | 46,398 | 56.41% | 34,344 | 41.76% | 1,508 | 1.83% |
| 2016 | 43,850 | 57.03% | 28,263 | 36.76% | 4,775 | 6.21% |
| 2012 | 41,364 | 55.10% | 32,480 | 43.26% | 1,233 | 1.64% |
| 2008 | 40,952 | 49.65% | 40,594 | 49.22% | 934 | 1.13% |
| 2004 | 44,430 | 50.53% | 43,010 | 48.92% | 488 | 0.55% |
| 2000 | 36,809 | 48.01% | 38,524 | 50.25% | 1,337 | 1.74% |
| 1996 | 29,311 | 38.32% | 40,357 | 52.76% | 6,827 | 8.92% |
| 1992 | 31,358 | 38.40% | 38,315 | 46.91% | 11,998 | 14.69% |
| 1988 | 38,140 | 47.95% | 41,144 | 51.73% | 258 | 0.32% |
| 1984 | 51,499 | 57.51% | 37,832 | 42.25% | 211 | 0.24% |
| 1980 | 42,604 | 46.43% | 42,829 | 46.68% | 6,327 | 6.90% |
| 1976 | 42,213 | 44.06% | 53,602 | 55.94% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1972 | 65,021 | 63.09% | 38,032 | 36.91% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 41,712 | 41.76% | 46,650 | 46.70% | 11,524 | 11.54% |
| 1964 | 38,383 | 35.25% | 70,511 | 64.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 57,130 | 51.19% | 54,484 | 48.81% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 58,597 | 53.81% | 50,289 | 46.19% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 56,861 | 51.04% | 54,540 | 48.96% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 41,144 | 43.45% | 53,213 | 56.19% | 338 | 0.36% |
| 1944 | 36,488 | 43.50% | 47,400 | 56.50% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 40,113 | 40.91% | 57,932 | 59.09% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 35,387 | 41.00% | 50,801 | 58.86% | 113 | 0.13% |
| 1932 | 35,455 | 47.39% | 38,617 | 51.61% | 749 | 1.00% |
| 1928 | 35,788 | 58.16% | 25,563 | 41.54% | 184 | 0.30% |
| 1924 | 26,018 | 49.14% | 22,726 | 42.92% | 4,207 | 7.95% |
| 1920 | 23,781 | 54.33% | 19,284 | 44.06% | 704 | 1.61% |
| 1916 | 10,096 | 48.14% | 10,276 | 49.00% | 598 | 2.85% |
| 1912 | 1,780 | 9.96% | 6,658 | 37.26% | 9,431 | 52.78% |
| 1908 | 9,663 | 54.43% | 7,117 | 40.09% | 974 | 5.49% |
| 1904 | 8,857 | 58.62% | 5,756 | 38.10% | 495 | 3.28% |
| 1900 | 7,249 | 60.17% | 4,736 | 39.31% | 63 | 0.52% |
| 1896 | 6,948 | 58.65% | 4,824 | 40.72% | 75 | 0.63% |
| 1892 | 5,078 | 51.17% | 4,549 | 45.84% | 296 | 2.98% |
| 1888 | 4,541 | 54.66% | 3,089 | 37.19% | 677 | 8.15% |
| 1884 | 4,240 | 58.99% | 2,820 | 39.23% | 128 | 1.78% |
| 1880 | 2,112 | 34.66% | 2,378 | 39.02% | 1,604 | 26.32% |

### Elected officials

| Agency | Elected Official |
| Kanawha County Commission | Commissioner W. Kent Carper, President Commissioner Ben Salango Commissioner Lance Wheeler |
| Kanawha County Assessor | Sallie Robinson |
| Kanawha County Circuit Clerk | Cathy Gatson |
| Kanawha County Clerk | Vera McCormick |
| Kanawha County Prosecutor | Charles "Chuck" Miller |
| Kanawha County Sheriff | Michael Y. Rutherford |

## Economy

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.

## Recreation

| Parks | Golf |
| Coonskin Park | Coonskin Golf Course |
| Shawnee Park | Shawnee Golf Course |
| Meadowood Park | Edgewood Country Club |
| Pioneer Park | Little Creek Golf Course |
| Wallace Hartman Nature Preserve | Sleepy Hollow Golf Club |
| Cato Park | Sandy Brae Golf Course |
| Ridenour Park | Berry Hills Country Club |
| Big Bend Park | Big Bend Golf Course |
| Kanawha State Forest | |
| Saint Albans City Park | |

## Events

* FestivALL
* Charleston Sternwheel Regatta (Returning 2022)
* Live on the Levee
* Vandalia Gathering
* Rib Fest
* Charleston Rod Run Doo Wop
* Majorette Festival - Daily Mail Kanawha County Majorette and Band Festival
* Pinch Reunion
* St. Albans Festival of Lights

## Attractions

* Clay Center (West Virginia)
* West Virginia State Capitol
* West Virginia Cultural Center
* South Charleston Mound
* Mardi Gras Casino and Resort
* Charleston Civic Center
* Heritage Tower Museum

## Sports

* Charleston Dirty Birds - Baseball team
* West Virginia United - Soccer club

## Communities
### Cities

* Charleston (county seat)
* Dunbar
* Marmet
* Montgomery (part)
* Nitro (part)
* Smithers (part)
* South Charleston
* St. Albans

### Towns

* Belle
* Cedar Grove
* Chesapeake
* Clendenin
* East Bank
* Glasgow
* Handley
* Pratt

### Magisterial districts

* District 1
* District 2
* District 3
* District 4

### Census-designated places

* Alum Creek (part)
* Big Chimney
* Chelyan
* Coal Fork
* Cross Lanes
* Elkview
* Jefferson
* Pinch
* Rand
* Shrewsbury
* Sissonville
* Tornado

### Unincorporated communities

* Aarons
* Acme
* Acup
* Airport Village
* Amandaville
* Amelia
* Annfred
* Arborland Acres
* Barren Creek
* Blackhawk
* Blakeley
* Blount
* Blue Creek
* Blundon
* Bream
* Brounland
* Burnwell
* Cabin Creek
* Carbon
* Cinco
* Coalburg
* Coalridge
* Coco
* Corton
* Crede
* Crown Hill
* Davis Creek
* Dawes
* Decota
* Dial
* Diamond
* Dickinson
* Donwood
* Dry Branch
* Dungriff
* Dupont City
* East Nitro
* East Side
* Edgewood
* Elk
* Elk Forest
* Elk Hills
* Emmons (part)
* Eskdale
* Etowah
* Falling Rock
* Ferrell
* Fivemile
* Forest Hills
* Forks of Coal
* Fort Hill
* Frame
* Gallagher
* Giles
* Green Valley
* Greencastle
* Grippe
* Guthrie
* Hansford
* Hernshaw
* Hicumbottom
* Highlawn
* Hillsdale
* Hitop
* Holly
* Hollygrove
* Hollyhurst
* Hugheston
* Institute
* Island Branch
* Ivydale
* Jarrett
* Jarretts Ford
* Joplin
* Kanawha Estates
* Kayford
* Kelly Hill
* Kendalia
* Laing
* Leewood
* Loudendale
* Lower Falls
* Malden
* Mammoth
* Meadowbrook
* Mink Shoals
* Pocatalico
* Pond Gap
* Port Amherst
* Putney
* Quick
* Quincy
* River Bend
* Rocky Fork
* Rock Lake Village
* Rutledge
* Sanderson
* Sharon
* Tyler Heights
* Tyler Mountain

## Notable people

* Robert Alexander, NFL football player
* Anthony Bass, NFL football player
* George Crumb, composer
* Aaron Dobson, Super Bowl champion football player
* Ryan Dorsey, actor
* Jon Elmore, NBA basketball player
* Conchata Ferrell, actress best known for her role as Berta on Two and a Half Men
* Jennifer Garner, actress and Golden Globe and SAG award winner
* Elizabeth Harden Gilmore, business leader and civil rights advocate
* Gary Gregor, NBA basketball player
* Alex Hawkins, two-time NFL champion football player
* Alexis Hornbuckle, two-time WNBA champion basketball player
* T. D. Jakes, megachurch pastor
* Carl Lee, NFL football player
* Earl Lloyd, Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and the first African-American basketball player to play in an NBA game
* Kathy Mattea, country music and bluegrass singer
* Ann Magnuson is an American actress, performance artist, and nightclub performer.
* Renee Montgomery, two-time WNBA champion basketball player
* Randy Moss, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and holder of the NFL record for receiving touchdowns in a season
* Lou Myers, actor, best known for his role as Vernon Gaines on A Different World
* Les Palmer, NFL champion football player
* Phil Pfister, strongman competitor and winner of the 2006 World's Strongest Man competition
* Kristen Ruhlin, actress
* Ryan Switzer, NFL football player
* Booker T. Washington, highly influential educator, author, orator, presidential advisor, and co-founder of the Tuskegee Institute
* Jerry West, Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and the basis for the silhouette on the NBA logo since 1971
* Jason Williams, NBA basketball player