South Charleston, West Virginia

City of South Charleston
—  City  —
The Criel Mound in South Charleston.
Location of South Charleston in West Virginia.
Coordinates:
Country  United States
State  West Virginia
County Kanawha
Government
 • Mayor Frank A. Mullens, Jr. (R)
Area
 • City 8.3 sq mi (21.5 km2)
 • Land 7.4 sq mi (19.2 km2)
 • Water 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km2)
Elevation 604 ft (183 m)
Population (2010)
 • City 13,450
 • Density 1,803.0/sq mi (695.8/km2)
 • Metro 307,763 (2,004 Estimate)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 25303, 25309
Area code(s) 304
FIPS code 54-75292[1]
GNIS feature ID 1555663[2]
Website http://www.southcharlestonwv.org/

South Charleston is a city in Kanawha County, West Virginia, U.S. The population was 13,450 at the 2010 census. South Charleston was established in 1906, but not incorporated until 1919 by special charter enacted by the West Virginia Legislature. Its name is based on the city being located primarily on the south side of the Kanawha River, although it is actually west, not south, of the city of Charleston.

The city is serviced by Interstate 64, U.S. Route 60, U.S. Route 119, West Virginia Route 601 and West Virginia Route 214, and is bisected by the Kanawha River. The city is serviced by the Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority bus system. A general aviation airfield, Mallory Airport, is located off of Chestnut Street, approximately two miles south of U.S. Route 60, and is also served by Yeager Airport in Charleston. South Charleston serves as the headquarters to the West Virginia State Police.

Contents

Geography

South Charleston is located at (38.352455, -81.712001).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.3 square miles (21.5 km²), of which, 7.4 square miles (19.2 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it (10.60%) is water.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1920 3,650
1930 5,904 61.8%
1940 10,377 75.8%
1950 16,686 60.8%
1960 19,180 14.9%
1970 16,333 −14.8%
1980 15,968 −2.2%
1990 13,645 −14.5%
2000 13,390 −1.9%
2010 13,450 0.4%

As of the census[1] of 2010, there were 13,450 people residing in South Charleston, WV. In 2000, there were 6,316 households, and 3,764 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,803.0 people per square mile (695.8/km²). There were 6,770 housing units at an average density of 911.6 per square mile (351.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.85% White, 6.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 6,316 households out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.72.

The age distribution is 19.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,905, and the median income for a family was $50,528. Males had a median income of $39,036 versus $25,978 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,928. About 9.7% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

In South Charleston are the headquarters of International Industries, the parent company of a group of subsidiaries founded in 1947 by James H. "Buck" Harless (now its president and CEO), based primarily in natural resources such as coal and timber, but which also include the manufacturing, hotel and real estate industries.[3]

Education

There are six elementary schools in South Charleston: Montrose Elementary, Ruthlawn Elementary, Richmond Elementary, Alum Creek Elementary, Bridgeview Elementary, and Weberwood Elementary. The main middle school is South Charleston Middle School (SCMS), which is located on 3rd Ave. SCMS houses grades 6-8. South Charleston High School (SCHS) is one of eight high schools in Kanawha County. SCHS is located on Eagle Way and houses grades 9-12.

Arts and culture

South Charleston attractions include Criel Mound (also known as the South Charleston Adena Burial Mound), and the South Charleston Museum. The South Charleston Museum is located in the historic LaBelle Theater on D Street, and features a West Virginia Film Series, Open Mic Night, exhibitions, and other events.

The city is also home to a community center, an ice arena, Little Creek Park, Timberland Park and Joplin Park.

Notable natives and residents

The city is also home to Little Creek Golf Course formerly Kanawha Country Club In 2009 The South Charleston Museum Foundation introduced their Belgian Exhibit which is housed in the Interpretive Center at 313 D Street. The Belgians operated two glass factories in the early 1900's in South Charleston.

References

  1. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  3. ^ http://www.intlind.com/

Alex Hawkins, SCHS graduate,NFL player,"Captain Who" author Frances Price, SCHS graduate, first female city councilwoman J. Alfred Poe, SCJHS principal, former mayor Charles Gorby, lst band director at SCHS,owner of Gorby's music Don Evans, Evans Lumber, local artist,former Treasurer of SC Museum Foundation Larry Combs, musician, inducted into the Music Hall of Fame, Chicago symphony SCHS class of 1958

External links