South Charleston, West Virginia

South Charleston, West Virginia
Location of South Charleston in Kanawha County, West Virginia.
Coordinates: 38°21′9″N 81°42′43″W / 38.35250°N 81.71194°W / 38.35250; -81.71194
CountryUnited States
State West Virginia
CountyKanawha
Founded1906
Incorporated1919
Government
  MayorFrank A. Mullens, Jr. (R)
Area
  City
9.53 sq mi (24.69 km2)
  Land8.64 sq mi (22.38 km2)
  Water0.89 sq mi (2.31 km2)
Elevation
604 ft (183 m)
Population
 (2020)
  City
13,639
  Estimate 
(2021)
13,352
  Density1,394.01/sq mi (538.22/km2)
  Urban
153,199 (US: 214th)
  Metro
222,878 (US: 198th)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
  Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
25303, 25309
Area code304
FIPS code54-75292
GNIS feature ID1555663
Websitecityofsouthcharleston.com

South Charleston is a city in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. It is located to the west of the state capital of Charleston. The population was 13,639 at the 2020 census. It was established in 1906, but not incorporated until 1917. The Criel Mound built by the Adena culture is adjacent to the city's downtown business district.

It is home to the Charleston Ordnance Center, a former naval munitions factory established for use in World War I.

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 adjacent to 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 Chestnut Street, approximately two miles south of U.S. Route 60, with the nearest commercial aviation service being at Yeager Airport in Charleston. South Charleston serves as the headquarters to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the West Virginia State Police.