Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET
Where is Charleston Located? - Charleston is a city located in the Kanawha County of West Virginia, United States. Charleston lies between 42.930356 Degrees North latitudes and 73.242609 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston Map, West Virginia, USA
Where is Charleston?: The Google Map showing the location of Charleston in the U.S. state of West Virginia.
Where is Charleston Located?
Charleston is a city located in the Kanawha County of West Virginia, United States. Charleston lies between 42.930356 Degrees North latitudes and 73.242609 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Charleston city is 48864 people and the city has a total area of 31.5 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.
Nearby Cities and Towns to Charleston, West Virginia
South Charleston, West Virginia - 5 mi
Dunbar, West Virginia - 7 mi
St. Albans, West Virginia - 13 mi
Nitro, West Virginia - 15 mi
Cross Lanes, West Virginia - 15 mi
Hurricane, West Virginia - 24 mi
Winfield, West Virginia - 28 mi
Madison, West Virginia - 30 mi
Ripley, West Virginia - 40 mi
Huntington, West Virginia - 52 mi
Charleston, West Virginia Climate and Weather Overview
Month
Avg High (°F)
Avg Low (°F)
Avg Rainfall (in)
January
43
24
3.1
April
67
43
3.9
July
86
65
4.8
October
68
45
2.8
Annual
66
45
45.8
Climate Attribute
Details
Climate Classification (Köppen)
Humid Subtropical (Cfa)
Annual Rainfall
About 45.8 in
Annual Sunshine Days
About 174 days
Hurricane/Tornado Risk
Very low hurricane risk and low tornado risk
Snowfall
About 28 in annually
Driving Distances from Charleston, West Virginia
City
State
Distance (mi)
Approx. Drive Time
South Charleston
West Virginia
5
10 min
Dunbar
West Virginia
7
15 min
St. Albans
West Virginia
13
20 min
Nitro
West Virginia
15
20 min
Cross Lanes
West Virginia
15
20 min
Hurricane
West Virginia
24
30 min
Winfield
West Virginia
28
35 min
Madison
West Virginia
30
40 min
Ripley
West Virginia
40
45 min
Huntington
West Virginia
52
1 hr
Transportation and Connectivity in Charleston, West Virginia
Transportation
Details
Airport Name
West Virginia International Yeager Airport
IATA Code
CRW
Port
Port of Charleston (Kanawha River)
Major Highways
Interstate 64, Interstate 77, Interstate 79, U.S. Route 60
Train/Amtrak Service
Nearest Amtrak station in Prince, West Virginia
Local Bus/Transit Service
Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority (KRT)
Interstates 64, 77, and 79 converge in Charleston, making the city the primary transportation hub of West Virginia.
West Virginia International Yeager Airport provides scheduled passenger service to major U.S. hub airports.
The Port of Charleston on the Kanawha River supports commercial barge traffic and regional industry.
Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority (KRT) operates local and regional bus services throughout the Charleston metropolitan area.
Charleston serves as the state capital and is the political, cultural, healthcare, and economic center of West Virginia.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Charleston, West Virginia
Landmark Name
Type
West Virginia State Capitol
State Capitol Building
West Virginia State Museum
History Museum
Capitol Market
Public Market
Haddad Riverfront Park
Riverfront Park
Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences
Arts and Science Center
Kanawha State Forest
State Forest
University of Charleston Campus
University Campus
Magic Island Park
City Park
Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center
Arena and Convention Center
Sunrise Carriage Trail
Scenic Walking Trail
Colleges and Universities in and near Charleston, West Virginia
Institution Name
Type
Level
Notable For
University of Charleston
Private
University
Business, healthcare, pharmacy, and athletics
West Virginia State University
Public
University
Business, education, engineering technology, and sciences
BridgeValley Community and Technical College
Public
Community and Technical College
Workforce training, healthcare, and technical education
Marshall University (South Charleston Campus)
Public
University
Graduate education and professional programs
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Public
University
Engineering, business, and applied sciences
Waterbodies in Charleston, West Virginia
Kanawha River, Elk River, Coal River, Kanawha Falls, Summersville Lake, Tygart Lake, Sutton Lake, Bluestone Lake
Golf Courses in and near Charleston, West Virginia
Berry Hills Country Club, Big Bend Golf Course, Little Creek Golf Course, Edgewood Country Club, Riverside Golf Club, Sleepy Hollow Golf Club, Esquire Golf Course, Cacapon Resort Golf Course
Charleston, West Virginia - Key Historical Facts
Charleston was founded in 1788 at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers and became an important frontier settlement because of nearby salt resources.
The city's economy expanded during the nineteenth century through salt production, river transportation, coal mining, and the timber industry.
Charleston became the capital of West Virginia in 1885, strengthening its role as the state's political and administrative center.
During the twentieth century, the city developed into a major hub for chemical manufacturing, energy production, banking, healthcare, and government.
Historic buildings, museums, and riverfront redevelopment have helped preserve Charleston's heritage while supporting tourism and economic growth.
Today, Charleston is recognized for its gold-domed State Capitol, vibrant arts community, outdoor recreation, higher education institutions, and position as West Virginia's largest city and capital.
