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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Charleston County

South Carolina · 408,235 residents · 918.036 sq mi
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The short version

Charleston County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $67,182. Population has grown 32% since 2000. 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $334,600.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.3
US median: 38.8
More educated
45% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 89%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
408,235
+32%since 2000
from 309,969 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
445 / sq mi
+32%since 2000
from 338 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.3
+11%since 2000
from 34.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
283K320K358K395K433K1990201020202024Charleston County
2024420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$67,182
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,810 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$43,141
+102%since 2000
from $21,393 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
45.3%
+14.9 ptssince 2009
from 30.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.8%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 16.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade6.6%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$334,600
+89%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $117,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,228
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $605 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
60.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 61.0% in 2000
39.3% rent
Afford Score
5.0
+60%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Charleston County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic60.8%(188,542)
Black34.3%(106,337)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(7,434)
Asian1.1%(3,410)
Other0%
Diversity Score62.2%(192,946)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic64.6%(263,560)
Black22.5%(91,746)
Hispanic / Latino7.2%(29,280)
Asian1.8%(7,461)
Other2.5%(10,158)
Diversity Score64%(261,415)
Segregation Score45.3%(184,988)
Diversity Score
64
+3%since 2000
from 62 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
45
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
45.3%
+14.6 ptssince 2000
from 30.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.4%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 81.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
16.7%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 11.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.2 min
+70%since 2000
from 14.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.2%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 79.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.5%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.7%
−5.1 ptssince 2011
from 8.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
65.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 66.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
45.3%
−21.1 ptssince 2009
from 66.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
51.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
5.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.3%
−73.4 ptssince 2013
from 83.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Charleston County

Madison County
Pop 433,516
Collier County
Pop 417,131
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Pop 463,349
Washoe County
Pop 509,386
Places similar to Charleston County
Head to head

Compare Charleston County to nearby counties

CHARLESTON COUNTY VS
Berkeley County
Income$84,358+26%
Home value$310,300−7%
Population274,666−37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON COUNTY VS
Dorchester County
Income$78,198+16%
Home value$329,300−2%
Population178,397−59%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON COUNTY VS
Colleton County
Income$51,114−24%
Home value$162,500−51%
Population39,382−91%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON COUNTY VS
Beaufort County
Income$86,573+29%
Home value$455,600+36%
Population204,433−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Charleston County, South Carolina?

Charleston County, South Carolina has about 408,235 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Charleston County, South Carolina earns about $67,182 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Charleston County, South Carolina expensive?

In Charleston County, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $334,600, and the typical rent is about $1,228 a month.

How educated are people in Charleston County, South Carolina?

About 45.3% of adults age 25 and over in Charleston County, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Charleston County, South Carolina?

About 12.8% of people in Charleston County, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Charleston County, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Charleston County, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 113,196 residents, a change of about 38 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

99 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 21.07Census Tract 46.17Census Tract 56.01Census Tract 31.06Census Tract 46.09Census Tract 31.07Census Tract 58Census Tract 46.16Census Tract 46.12Census Tract 31.10Census Tract 26.12Census Tract 31.15Census Tract 46.14Census Tract 56.02Census Tract 47.01Census Tract 46.18Census Tract 20.02Census Tract 31.04Census Tract 20.05Census Tract 46.19
26 ZIP codes
ZIP 29464ZIP 29466ZIP 29414ZIP 29456ZIP 29412ZIP 29407ZIP 29406ZIP 29455ZIP 29405ZIP 29418ZIP 29403ZIP 29401ZIP 29449ZIP 29470ZIP 29429ZIP 29451ZIP 29438ZIP 29487ZIP 29458ZIP 29404ZIP 29482ZIP 29409ZIP 29426ZIP 29424ZIP 29439ZIP 29425
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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