Charleston
Charleston: Geography and Climate
Charleston: History
Charleston: Population Profile
Charleston: Municipal Government
Charleston: Economy
Charleston: Education and Research
Charleston: Health Care
Charleston: Recreation
Charleston: Convention Facilities
Charleston: Transportation
Charleston: Communications
The City in Brief
Founded: 1794 (incorporated 1818)
Head Official: Mayor Danny Jones (since 2003)
City Population
1980: 63,968
1990: 57,287
2000: 53,421
2003 estimate: 51,394
Percent change, 1990–2000: -7.4%
U.S. rank in 1980: 310th U.S. rank in 1990: 415th (State rank: 1st)
U.S. rank in 2000: 662nd
Metropolitan Area Population
1980: 270,000
1990: 250,000
2000: 251,662
Percent change, 1990–2000: .5%
U.S. rank in 1980: 118th (MSA)
U.S. rank in 1990: 134th (MSA)
U.S. rank in 2000: 141st (MSA)
Area: 32 square miles (2000)
Elevation: Ranges from 601 feet to approximately 1,100 feet above sea level
Average Annual Temperature: 56.2° F Average Annual Precipitation: 44.05 inches
Major Economic Sectors: services, trade, government
Unemployment rate: 4.3% (December 2004)
Per Capita Income: $26,017 (1999)
2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 4,463
Major Colleges and Universities: West Virginia State University, West Virginia University Institute of Technology, University of Charleston, Marshall University Graduate College
Daily Newspaper: Charleston Daily Mail; Charleston Gazette
