City · South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, city, mostly in Charleston County (89.9% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Berkeley County, South Carolina. Charleston had 159,423 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 150,227 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 154,338 (±200). GEOID 4513330.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
159,423
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 150,227 · ACS 2020-2024: 154,338 ±200
Median household income
$92,414
±$3,404 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$509,700
±$17,642 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$1,722
±$33 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
Where is Charleston and what county is it in?
Charleston is a city mostly in Charleston County (89.9% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Berkeley County, South Carolina. It covers 115.2 square miles of land, 1,304 residents per square mile in 2020.
Charleston is in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston County | 134,996 | 89.9% |
| Berkeley County | 15,231 | 10.1% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Charleston, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 159,423 people lived in Charleston on July 1, 2025, up 5.8% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 150,227 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 154,338 (±200).
| Measure | Charleston | Charleston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 154,338 ±200 | 420,264 | +19,081 |
| Households | 68,027 ±1,349 | 178,975 | +12,138 |
| Average household size | 2.18 ±0.04 | 2.29 | −0.13 |
| Housing units | 77,417 ±1,232 | 209,803 | +13,407 |
Charleston's population since 2000
From 96,650 in 2000 to 159,423 in 2025: up 64.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Charleston as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Charleston?
The median resident of Charleston is 36.6 years old; 17.3% are under 18 and 16.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 71.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 15.8%. 6.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Charleston | Charleston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.6 ±0.6 | 39.2 | +1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 17.3% ±0.9 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.4% ±0.8 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Male | 47.7% ±0.8 pts | 48.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.1% ±0.8 pts | 7.2% | +2.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 71.7% ±1.4 pts | 64.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 15.8% ±1.2 pts | 22.7% | −5.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.9% ±0.4 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0% ±0.6 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.0% ±0.7 pts | 6.7% | +1.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.8% ±1.0 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8% ±0.6 pts | 8.2% | – |
| With a disability | 9.8% ±0.8 pts | 11.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.0% ±0.7 pts | 8.3% | −2.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.1% ±0.6 pts | 93.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 58.3% ±1.7 pts | 50.3% | +5.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 22.8% ±1.2 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 81.9% ±1.1 pts | 84.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 6.4% ±0.7 pts | 4.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Charleston earn?
Half of Charleston's 68,027 households earn less than $92,414 a year (±$3,404), against $88,494 in Charleston County and $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $84,226 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $8,188 after inflation. 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Charleston | Charleston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $92,414 ±$3,404 | $88,494 | +$8,188 |
| Mean household income | $132,092 ±$4,359 | $131,674 | – |
| Per capita income | $59,875 ±$2,170 | $56,921 | +$7,113 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.3% ±1.2 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.9% ±3.8 pts | 15.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.7% ±0.7 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.5% ±0.6 pts | 96.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.8% ±1.1 pts | 88.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Charleston?
Owners occupy 55.6% of Charleston's occupied homes and renters 44.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $509,700 by its owner (±$17,642). The median renter pays $1,722 a month including utilities, and 46.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Charleston | Charleston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $509,700 ±$17,642 | $489,100 | +$102,833 |
| Median gross rent | $1,722 ±$33 | $1,620 | +$175 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.0% ±3.0 pts | 44.8% | +5.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,253 ±$58 | $2,167 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 55.6% ±1.7 pts | 63.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 44.4% ±1.7 pts | 36.1% | – |
| Housing units | 77,417 ±1,232 | 209,803 | +13,407 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±0.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.1% ±1.7 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 47.7% ±1.5 pts | 58.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.8% ±0.4 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.1% ±0.6 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 22.2% ±1.4 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.0% ±0.8 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.2% ±0.9 pts | 5.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Charleston building?
Builders took permits for 1,311 new housing units in Charleston in 2025 (819 in single-family houses; the permit office reported 1 of 12 months), 8.2 per 1,000 residents against 8.2 across South Carolina.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Charleston work and get to work?
66.2% of Charleston's workers drive alone and 19.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.4%.
| Measure | Charleston | Charleston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.6% ±1.2 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% ±0.6 pts | 3.5% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 66.2% ±2.0 pts | 69.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.2% ±1.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7% ±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 3.5% ±0.5 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.4% ±1.6 pts | 17.7% | +12.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.2 min ±1.0 | 25.1 min | +1.4 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Charleston?
32 census tracts lie mostly in Charleston, and 18 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $36,071 (Tract 4) to $250,000 or more (Tract 2).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 204.07Berkeley County | 9,118 | $106,964 |
| Tract 56.01Charleston County | 10,331 | $114,702 |
| Tract 21.07Charleston County | 11,844 | $119,297 |
| Tract 59Charleston County | 5,956 | $110,536 |
| Tract 204.04Berkeley County | 8,170 | $93,835 |
| Tract 53Charleston County | 4,275 | $42,037 |
| Tract 26.12Charleston County | 7,474 | $69,816 |
| Tract 56.02Charleston County | 6,960 | $81,618 |
| Tract 4Charleston County | 3,495 | $36,071 |
| Tract 30Charleston County | 3,984 | $133,350 |
| Tract 27.02Charleston County | 4,517 | $72,113 |
| Tract 11Charleston County | 3,143 | $71,410 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Charleston) · Census block assignment files
How does Charleston compare with other places in South Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Charleston is the 168th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the most populous of 271 in South Carolina.
Charleston ranks 26th of 248 places in South Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 1st | 271 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 67th | 149 |
| Residents per square mile | 83rd | 261 |
| Median household income | 26th | 248 |
| Per capita income | 16th | 259 |
| Median home value | 13th | 248 |
| Median gross rent | 11th | 235 |
| Poverty rate | 166th | 214 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15th | 226 |
| Median age | 166th | 261 |
| Owner-occupied share | 187th | 258 |
| Work from home | 17th | 119 |
| Travel time to work | 144th | 261 |
Charleston's figures with every place in South Carolina (CSV)
Every place in South Carolina, sortable · Compare Charleston with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Charleston?
3 of the 57 figures for Charleston on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Charleston are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Charleston.