Median Income
$66,481
12% lower than US avg
Home Value
$79,900
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
26.9%
20% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$525
55% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
43.9%
37% higher than US avg
Unemployment
0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
4.3%
65% lower than US avg
How Kanawha Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population805
Median Age34.4 yrs
Density407/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Economy
A
Median Income$66,481
Per Capita$33,493
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty4.3%
County GDP$1,247M
Commute21 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$79,900
Rent$525
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$133,523
Health
Obesity43.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease5.7%
Climate
Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.3 in/yr
Elevation1,186 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+26.9%
High School+94.6%
School Score5.73
Community
2024 VoteR 68% / D 31%
Commute21 min
Libraries5
Is Kanawha a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Kanawha receives an overall livability score of 4.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Kanawha stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Kanawha is $66,481, 12% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. Only 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Kanawha is $79,900, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $525 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Education
26.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.
Climate & Weather
Kanawha experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches, including 31.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Kanawha has a population of 805 with a density of 407 people per square mile. The median age is 34.4 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.3%).
Population
34.4yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 89.2% |
| 14% above US avg |
| Spanish | 10.8% |
| 19% below US avg |
The median household income in Kanawha is $66,481, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.
Income
| Median HH Income | $66,481 |
| 12% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $33,493 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,126 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $67,568 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 0.8% |
| 78% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 4.3% |
| 65% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 468 |
| County GDP | $1,247M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 28 |
| Healthcare | 35 |
| Retail | 46 |
| Manufacturing | 22 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,919 |
| 12% above US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 4.90% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 21.3 min |
| Work from Home | 3.1% |
The median home value in Kanawha is $79,900, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $525 (55% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $133,523.
Home Values
| Census Median | $79,900 |
| 72% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $133,523 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $525 |
| 55% below US avg |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $738 |
| 1 Bedroom | $788 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $989 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,282 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,919 |
| 12% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 4.90% |
In Kanawha, 43.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 29.0% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Kanawha vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 43.9% |
| 37% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 10.4% |
| Heart Disease | 5.7% |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.5% |
| Asthma | 10.1% |
| COPD | 6.7% |
| Stroke | 3.0% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 22.2% |
| Physical Inactivity | 29.0% |
| Depression | 21.9% |
| Mental Distress | 17.9% |
| Physical Distress | 13.1% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 90.6% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 75.5% |
| Premature Death | 6,879/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 8.5/10 |
| Exercise Access | 86.5% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 35 |
Crime Rates: Kanawha vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 1 |
Safety Score
Kanawha has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 47.0°F |
| 13% below US avg |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 34.3 inches |
| 10% below US avg |
| Snowfall | 31.1 inches/yr |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,186 ft (361 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 407/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.9342°N, 93.7932°W |
| County FIPS | 19197 |