South Charleston is located at 38°21′9″N 81°42′43″W / 38.3525°N 81.71194°W / 38.3525; -81.71194 (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.

As of the census 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.

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 .

South Charleston attractions include Criel Mound (also known as the South Charleston Adena Burial Mound), and the 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.

Charleston | Dunbar | Marmet | Montgomery‡ | Nitro‡ | St. Albans | Smithers‡ | South Charleston