Charleston Population 2026
Charleston has a population of 46,838, making it the #943 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in West Virginia. It is about 188× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
46,838
Rank in United States
#943
Coordinates
38.35°N, 81.63°W
~182 m elevation · America/New_York
Distance to capital (Washington)
404 km
251 miles, straight line
Other big cities in West Virginia
| City | Population | Rank in United States |
|---|---|---|
| Huntington | 48,638 | #906 |
| Parkersburg | 30,991 | #1482 |
| Morgantown | 30,708 | #1507 |
| Wheeling | 27,648 | #1700 |
| Weirton Heights | 19,450 | #2442 |
| Weirton | 19,175 | #2489 |
| Fairmont | 18,733 | #2555 |
| Martinsburg | 17,700 | #2690 |
Cities near Charleston
- Huntington48,638 people · ~71 km away
- Beckley17,056 people · ~75 km away
- Ashland21,108 people · ~89 km away
- Meads288,649 people · ~94 km away
- Parkersburg30,991 people · ~102 km away
- Athens25,044 people · ~116 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Charleston?
Charleston has a population of 46,838 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #943 biggest city in United States.
What state is Charleston in?
Charleston is located in West Virginia, United States.
Is Charleston the capital of United States?
No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 404 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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