South Charleston, West Virginia

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of South Charleston, West Virginia
motto =
settlement_type = City
nickname =


imagesize =
image_caption =


image_



mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of South Charleston in West Virginia.
founded = 1906
incorporated = 1919


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = West Virginia
subdivision_name2 = Kanawha
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Frank Mullens
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 8.3
area_land_sq_mi = 7.4
area_water_sq_mi = 0.9
area_water_percent =
area_total_km2 = 21.5
area_land_km2 = 19.2
area_water_km2 = 2.3
population_as_of = 2007 Estimate
population_total = 13100
population_metro = 307,763 (2004 Estimate)
population_density_sq_mi = 1803.0
population_density_km2 = 695.8
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 38 |latm = 21 |lats = 9 |latNS = N
longd = 81 |longm = 42 |longs = 43 |longEW = W
elevation_ft = 604
elevation_m = 183
website = http://www.southcharlestonwv.org/
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 25303, 25309
area_code = 304
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 54-75292GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1555663GR|3
footnotes =

South Charleston is a city in Kanawha County, West Virginia, U.S. The population was 13,100 at the 2007 census estimate. South Charleston was established in 1906, but not incorporated until 1919 by special charter enacted by the West Virginia Legislature. It is named because of its location 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.

Geography

South Charleston is located at coor dms|38|21|9|N|81|42|43|W|city (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

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 13,390 people, 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/sq mi (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 [http://www.intlind.com/] .

Arts and culture

South Charleston attractions include Criel Mound (also known as the South Charleston Adena Burial Mound), and the [http://www.geocities.com/scmuseum 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

* Televangelist T. D. Jakes was born and raised in the city.
* Former NFL player Carl Lee was also born and raised in South Charleston.
* Country singer-songwriter Kathy Mattea was born in the city's Thomas Memorial Hospital to parents who lived in nearby Cross Lanes, where she grew up.
* Thomas Memorial Hospital is named after Herbert J. Thomas, Jr., a World War II Medal of Honor recipient who was raised in South Charleston.
* The critically acclaimed short-story writer Breece D'J Pancake was born in South Charleston.

References

External links

* [http://cityofsouthcharleston.com/ City of South Charleston]
* [http://www.southcharlestonwv.org South Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau]