Once a frontier town and home to Daniel Boone, today Charleston is the historic, sophisticated capital of West Virginia and home to a variety of exciting cultural and recreational attractions. The State Capitol, with its gleaming 23-karat gold dome and classic 20th-century architecture, is truly a sight to see.
Why is Charleston WV important?
Charleston is the center of government, commerce, and industry for Kanawha County, of which it is the county seat. Early industries important to Charleston included salt and the first natural gas well.
Is Charleston WV worth visiting?
The capital of West Virginia, Charleston is a beautiful riverfront city that offers many great things to see and do. Plan a weekend trip and see the historic State Capitol, shop at the outdoor Capitol Market, and spend an afternoon at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences.
What is the history of Charleston WV?
The settlement developed on land purchased by Col. George Clendenin in 1787; the patent for the land had been signed by Virginia Gov. Thomas Jefferson. Clendenin built Fort Lee there in 1788, and the town was chartered in 1794; first named Charles Town, for Clendenin’s father, it was renamed Charleston in 1819.
What percent of Charleston WV is black?
Charleston Demographics
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Charlestonwas: White: 78.81% Black or African American: 14.32%
What is West Virginia known for?
Located in the Appalachian region, West Virginia has some of the most rugged land in the country. The state’s rolling mountains, hills and valleys earned it the nickname of The Mountain State, and it is well-known for its range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, skiing and whitewater rafting.
Is Charleston WV a good place to live?
Charleston is in Kanawha County and is one of the best places to live in West Virginia. Living in Charleston offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Charleston there are a lot of bars and parks. Many young professionals live in Charleston and residents tend to lean conservative.
What is the prettiest place in WV?
The top 5 most photogenic vistas in WV
- Lindy Point, Blackwater Falls State Park.
- Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area.
- Ravens Rock Overlook, Coopers Rock State Forest.
- Rohrbaugh Plains Overlook, Dolly Sods Wilderness.
- Long Point Trail, New River Gorge.
Is Charleston WV safe to visit?
Larger cities generally attract more crime, and Charleston is no exception. Charleston ranks number two in the most dangerous cities in 2018. Boasting a population of nearly 47,000, Charleston experienced 331 violent crimes.
What is the number 1 attraction in West Virginia?
Top Attractions in West Virginia
- New River Gorge. 214. Bodies of Water • National Parks.
- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. 2,084.
- West Virginia State Museum. 402.
- West Virginia University. 191.
- The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum. 118.
- Suspension Bridge. 245.
- State Capitol. 521.
- Berkeley Springs State Park. 542.
What is the nickname of West Virginia?
West Virginia is called the Mountain State because it’s the only state completely within the Appalachian Mountain region, and its average elevation is higher than any other state east of the Mississippi River!
Why was the capital of WV moved from Wheeling to Charleston?
The legislature met in the building until 1875, when the City of Wheeling offered to build a new capitol building if the legislature would agree to return to the city. This choice was fueled by the greater accessibility of Wheeling as Charleston did not have rail access.
How did Charleston become the capital of West Virginia?
… that in the fall of 1877, as a result of a statewide election, Governor Jacob issued a proclamation declaring Charleston the permanent seat of government.that on January 3, 1921, and four buildings later, West Virginia’s Capitol burned to the ground.
Is Charleston WV poor?
Poverty by Age and Sex
20.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Charleston, WV (9.68k out of 46.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%.
What is the crime rate in Charleston WV?
With a crime rate of 55 per one thousand residents, Charleston has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes – from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One’s chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 18.
Is Charleston WV urban or rural?
Charleston, West Virginia is the largest, most populated city in West Virginia with an estimated population of 51,400 (2010) consisting of urban, suburban, and rural communities.
Is West Virginia rich or poor?
West Virginia is the fifth-poorest U.S. state, with a median household income of $51,615 and a poverty rate of 14.6%. West Virginians have the lowest level of higher education attainment in the nation, with only 23.1% of its residents holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
What is the poorest city in West Virginia?
The Top 3
- #1. 25844 (Glen Daniel, WV) Poverty Rate of 0.8%
- 25938 (Victor, WV) Poverty Rate of 1.5%
- 24823 (Coal Mountain, WV) Poverty Rate of 2.0%
Is WV considered the South?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the South is composed of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia—and Florida.
What is a good salary in WV?
$45,137 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $68,389 is the 75th percentile.
Is it cheaper to live in Virginia or West Virginia?
Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 means West Virginia is cheaper than the US average.
West Virginia cost of living is 78.1.
| COST OF LIVING | West Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 41.7 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $114,600 | $291,700 |
| Utilities | 85.9 | 100 |
| Transportation | 90.1 | 100 |