Downtown Charleston, West Virginia
Downtown Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston, WV

Land in Charleston

  • About

  • History

  • Location

  • Things to do

  • Demographics

  • Culture

  • Schools

  • FAQ

  • Related

This beautiful, scenic mountain town is the perfect place for anyone who’s looking to take a step back from the rat race, and enjoy endless outdoor adventures.

There’s speculation that Charleston is located within a 500-mile radius of half of the U.S. population. Whether that’s true or not, it’s not a bad location by a long shot. This town is ideally situated in what’s being called “Advantage Valley,” a region in West Virginia that encompasses the stretch of industry-ready land that’s located along the I-64 corridor. Businesses, universities, and major transportation hubs all help to make this the center of industry in West Virginia.

As the capital of West Virginia and the largest city in the state, Charleston is the main center for politics, business, and culture. It might not be a major metropolis like New York or San Francisco, but what it doesn’t have in terms of skyscrapers and concrete jungles, it more than makes up for in history, not to mention the beatify of the surrounding Appalachian Mountain region.

Much of the region around Charleston is surrounded by forests. In fact, the state of West Virginia is nearly 80% covered by forests, meaning that in many ways, being in the mountains here has the same feel that it did back in Daniel Boone’s day. It’s a tremendously well-preserved treasure, a secret gem that’s managed to hold onto a great deal of its history, which can be seen in many historical sites across the state.

This region has a cost of living that’s low compared to the national average, which means if you’re planning to relocate for work and looking to buy land, Charleston, WV is an ideal location. If you’d like to own a second home that’s an escape from the stress and pressures of the city, or just looking for a new place to relocate that’ll give you more time to spend outdoors and in nature, Charleston WV is for you.

This state has also been the site of a number of pivotal civil rights movements. This includes an 1859 attempted raid by a group of slaves on an arsenal at the town of Harpers Ferry that ended up being one of the sparks to light the American Civil War. While the attempt at freedom failed, the tensions escalated between the North and South until the start of the Civil War just 16 months later. West Virginia also has the distinction of electing the very first African-American woman as a legislator in 1928.

History of Charleston

History of Charleston

History of West Virginia

Like many towns and settlements that were established in the country’s early years, Charleston, WV, and the surrounding area were inhabited by Native Americans. This includes the Cherokee, Shawnee, Saponi, Delaware, and Mingo tribes. In fact, the name Kanawha itself comes from a Native American tribe. Kanawha means “Water Way” or “New Water,” an apt name, considering the number of major rivers that run through it. The city of Charleston dates back to 1787 when land was purchased by Colonel George Clendenin. The patent for the land was signed by Thomas Jefferson, who was at that time governor of the state. The town was chartered in 1794, when the town was still part of the state of Virginia. Due to the city’s strategic location on a migration route to the Ohio River valley, the region soon became a transshipment point, attracting frontier people like Daniel Boone. The town was a thriving center of salt production in 1824, at which time the first steamboat arrived, bringing further economic development.

History of West Virginia

Things to do in Charleston

Things to do in Charleston

State Capitol Charleston West Virginia

The surrounding region gives visitors and residents alike a chance to experience the great outdoors, year-round. There’s skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, and the rest of the year is ideal for fishing, boating, hiking, cycling, or horseback riding. There’s also kayaking, or whitewater rafting for adventure-seekers. It’s no wonder that West Virginia is known as the “Mountain State.” The beauty and adventure that the hills offer are unmatched, and it’s the only state to be located completely within the Appalachian Mountain range.

As far as eateries go, Charleston includes plenty of options. For local fare, visit 1010 Bridge. This restaurant features an Appalachian menu, with many dishes created using locally sourced ingredients. Or, try Barkadas, for a blend of American and Filipino foods.

State Capitol Charleston West Virginia

Unreal Land for sale in Charleston, WV

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Location

Map showing Charleston

Location

As the largest city in West Virginia and the capital of the state, Charleston is ideally situated. There are rivers on one side, and the rugged wilderness of the mountains on the other. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor activities for residents to enjoy, while the city itself features plenty for residents to do including dining, shopping, parks, and gardens. Charleston itself and the greater state of West Virginia offer a number of historical sites that are worth a visit as well. As a side note, you really can see the world from West Virginia. This state holds the record for the most towns named after cities in other countries including Berlin, Cairo, Calcutta, and Geneva.

Charleston demographics

Charleston demographics

Large group of people forming the shape of West Virginia

According to U.S. Census data, Charleston was home to 48,864 people in 2020. While salt production and natural gas extraction have historically been the main economic drivers in this city, today there are also opportunities in health care and social assistance, retail trade, and public administration. Mining, quarrying, and wholesale trade are industries in Charleston that offer high-paying positions.

Large group of people forming the shape of West Virginia

Arts in Charleston

Arts in Charleston

Architecture at State Capitol in Charleston West Virginia

Sure, Charleston may be a bit remote, but this city knows how to party. There’s a host of events that take place throughout the year here, and the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences routinely hosts live events. There’s also the “Live on the Levee” program that takes place on a riverside outdoor complex. Many spectators arrive by boat, mooring out in the water, and watching the events from the river. When this event is on it draws in thousands of people each week.

Architecture at State Capitol in Charleston West Virginia

Schools in Charleston

Schools in Charleston

As West Virginia’s largest city, the Kanawha County School District has eight high schools, 13 middle schools, and 43 elementary schools. Twenty-eight public schools have been rated good and higher by GreatSchools, and George Washington High School, one of the high schools in the district, is considered to be the fourth-best public high school in the state. For higher education, there are a handful of options. Both the University of Charleston and West Virginia State University offer four-year degrees and there are also four two-year colleges in Charleston.

Education of West Virginia

Why Charleston?

Why Charleston?

Kanawha County West Virginia

A beautiful city that offers residents a great deal of opportunity. There’s so much to experience in this thriving, hidden gem. Come see for yourself why so many people who visit end up deciding to make this town their home. A small slice of perfection in a vast, untamed wilderness, Charleston, WV has a great deal to offer.

Kanawha County West Virginia
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