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CITY · 2020 ACS

Charleston

South Carolina · 150,227 residents · 115.053 sq mi
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The short version

Charleston has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $72,071. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 55% since 2000. 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $349,000. Households here earn about 31% more than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.7
US median: 38.8
More educated
54% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 69%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
150,227
+55%since 2000
from 96,650 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,306 / sq mi
+55%since 2000
from 840 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.7
+8%since 2000
from 33.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
73K95K117K140K162K1990201020202024Charleston
2024154K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$72,071
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,295 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$46,575
+108%since 2000
from $22,414 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
48.2%
+17.4 ptssince 2009
from 30.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.6%
−6.5 ptssince 2000
from 19.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information9.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services7.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade6.1%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$349,000
+69%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $137,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,318
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $614 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
53.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 51.1% in 2000
46.6% rent
Afford Score
4.8
+24%since 2000
from 3.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Charleston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic62.3%(60,187)
Black33.8%(32,688)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(1,462)
Asian1.2%(1,184)
Other0%
Diversity Score60.7%(58,653)
2020
White, non-Hispanic72.4%(108,766)
Black16.9%(25,332)
Hispanic / Latino4.5%(6,818)
Asian2.2%(3,240)
Other2.2%(3,259)
Diversity Score52.9%(79,429)
Diversity Score
53
−13%since 2000
from 61 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
54.4%
+16.9 ptssince 2000
from 37.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.5%
+11.7 ptssince 2000
from 83.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
20.7%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.9 min
+83%since 2000
from 12.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.3%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 78.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.4%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 7.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.9%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 66.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
50.4%
−19.7 ptssince 2009
from 70.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Female
53.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Foreign born
5.1%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.3%
−80.1 ptssince 2013
from 87.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Charleston

CharlestowneDaniel IslandNeighborhoods in Charleston
Drill deeper

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Pop 152,241
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Head to head

Compare Charleston to nearby cities

CHARLESTON VS
Mount Pleasant
Income$124,755+73%
Home value$748,500+114%
Population95,469−40%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
James Island
Income$104,217+45%
Home value$508,600+46%
Population12,660−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Hanahan
Income$87,984+22%
Home value$374,800+7%
Population22,415−86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
North Charleston
Income$62,956−13%
Home value$302,200−13%
Population129,245−19%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Charleston, South Carolina?

Charleston, South Carolina has about 150,227 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Charleston, South Carolina?

The typical household in Charleston, South Carolina earns about $72,071 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Charleston, South Carolina expensive?

In Charleston, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $349,000, and the typical rent is about $1,318 a month.

How educated are people in Charleston, South Carolina?

About 54.4% of adults age 25 and over in Charleston, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Charleston, South Carolina?

About 12.6% of people in Charleston, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Charleston, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Charleston, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 69,813 residents, a change of about 87 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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