Section Image

Downtown Charleston

Downtown Charleston

Neighborhood in Charleston, West Virginia

Kanawha County 25301

$281,793 Average Value
$159 Average Price per Sq Ft
10 Homes For Sale

Living in the heart of the capital city

Downtown Charleston is the action-packed core of West Virginia’s capital city. This riverside community offers rows of restaurants and businesses, a waterfront park and events that not only bring out those who live downtown but also folks from surrounding areas. “Downtown living has become very popular,” says Margo Teeter, a local resident and a Realtor with Old Colony Realtors. “It’s a small city, but it has a vibrance to it. We have restaurants, the river running right through the city, and a beautiful walking path along the river.” Walkability and ease of public transportation are also big draws. “I've had a couple of clients who have moved to the downtown area that have actually gotten rid of their cars.”

Walkable downtown streets

Downtown streets are packed with businesses, homes and condos, many of which are historic buildings constructed from the late 19th to the early 20th century. The most common architectural styles are townhouses, colonials and the occasional ranch-style home. Prices range from $160,000 to $330,000.

Residents take pride in their homes throughout Downtown Charleston.
Residents take pride in their homes throughout Downtown Charleston.
Downtown Charleston is a highly walkable area and residents enjoy taking advantage of it.
Downtown Charleston is a highly walkable area and residents enjoy taking advantage of it.
1/2

Haddad River Front Park and The Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center

Parks and green spaces surround downtown Charleston. Haddad River Front Park's amphitheater hosts annual events and concerts. The bandshell is right up against the river, adorned with multi-colored lights that glow and reflect on the water as they surround the stage and the pavilion. Boaters can dock at the nearby launch and watch the show from the still waters of the Kanawha River. With a capacity of 2,500 people, locals can enjoy the free concerts held here every Friday from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day. The park also hosts the Live on the Levee, the 4th of July Celebration, the Smoke on the Water Chili CookOff, car shows and symphony performances. The park’s 4.5-mile trail runs parallel to the river, creating a serene riverside trek. Home to the Charleston Dirty Birds minor-league baseball team, GoMart Ballpark is among downtown's biggest draws during the season. Located on Civic Center Drive, the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center hosts many of West Virginia’s premier entertainment and sporting events. “We have a $180 million performing arts center right downtown, in a city with a population of 50,000,” says Teeter. “I mean, that’s unheard of.”

Spend the evening out at Haddad Riverfront Park.
Spend the evening out at Haddad Riverfront Park.
Rib Fest also offers carnival rides and games for the young ones to enjoy.
Rib Fest also offers carnival rides and games for the young ones to enjoy.
The Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center host many of Downtown Charleston's premier events.
The Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center host many of Downtown Charleston's premier events.
1/3

A bustling shopping and dining district

Located on Capitol Street, Ellen's Homemade Ice Cream serves just that. “Ellen’s is great, and they’ve got quite a variety of flavors,” says Teeter. They've been selling homemade frozen treats since 1997. Black Sheep Burritos and Brews is a standout among the many breweries on Summer Street. Serving elevated pub grub, Black Sheep offers a long tap list, cocktails, and wine. Housed in a turn-of-the-century train station, Capitol Market is an indoor-outdoor farmers market selling local produce, meat, seafood and West Virginia-made artisanal goods. For a broader selection of groceries, there’s a Bigley Piggly Wiggly on Spring Street.

Ellen's Handmade Ice Cream is the perfect spot for a sweet treat in Downtown Charleston.
Ellen's Handmade Ice Cream is the perfect spot for a sweet treat in Downtown Charleston.
Fife is a popular brewery within Downtown Charleston, and residents enjoy time there.
Fife is a popular brewery within Downtown Charleston, and residents enjoy time there.
1/2

Getting around Downtown Charleston

Bordered by Interstate 64 to the northeast and bisected by U.S. Route 60, Downtown Charleston is well connected to the greater Charleston area. The Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority provides service through several bus stops along Virginia Street, Washington Street and Morris Street. Cyclists can take the scenic route overlooking the waterfront on Kanawha Boulevard East. The West Virginia International Yeager Airport is 4 miles northeast.

The Kanawha County School District

The Kanawha County School District serves Downtown Charleston. Students can begin their education at Piedmont Year-Round Education, which scored a C on Niche. Students can continue their education at West Side Middle School and Capital High School, which earned a C-minus and a C-plus, respectively. There are also many private school options in the area, like Charleston Catholic High School and Sacred Heart Grade School.

Piedmont Year-Round Education offers education to young children through the entire year.
Piedmont Year-Round Education offers education to young children through the entire year.
Teachers greet students with warm smiles each day at Westside Middle School.
Teachers greet students with warm smiles each day at Westside Middle School.
Capital High School welcomes students in grades 9 through 12.
Capital High School welcomes students in grades 9 through 12.
1/3

The ArtWalk

The ArtWalk, held every third Thursday from March through December, brings people to local galleries, shops and businesses to view art exhibits and local performances.

Noise risk

Noise to the northeast of the neighborhood can be a concern due to its proximity to the airport and the bordering thoroughfare of Interstate 64.

Stephanie Davison
Written By
Stephanie Davison
Kayleigh Ulrich
Photography Contributed By
Kayleigh Ulrich
Everett Hall-McNeill
Video By
Everett Hall-McNeill

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Christina Pepper, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

West Virginia International Yeager

13 min drive

Bus

Quarrier St & Civic Center Dr

Bus

Virginia St & Summers St

Bus

Washington St & Shrewsbury St

Bus

Charleston Bus Station

Bus

Morris St & Piedmont Rd

Bus

Court St & Brawley Walkway

Bus

Lee St & Capitol St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Charleston US
Homicide 9 4
Sexual Assault 8 4
Assault with Weapon 8 4
Robbery 9 4
Burglary 9 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 8 4
Larceny 10 4
Crime Score 9 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$175,000
Median Single Family Price
$157,450
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$351,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$172,725
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$159
Number of Homes for Sale
10
Last 12 months Home Sales
17
Months of Supply
7.10
Median List Price
$185,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-15%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
126
Median Year Built
1933
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,680
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,300
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,672
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
851
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,325

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Christina Pepper, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,302
Median Age
50
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
15.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
29.3%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$18,782
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$47,925

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
84.9%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
36.1%
Advanced Degrees
17.1%
% Population in Labor Force
45.7%
Below the national average
65.1%

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

72 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

85 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Downtown Charleston neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Charleston