County · South Carolina
Berkeley County, South Carolina
Berkeley County, South Carolina. Berkeley County had 274,666 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 19.5% since 2020, faster than South Carolina (+8.8%). It holds 15 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 census-designated) and 48 census tracts. GEOID 45015.
Berkeley County is one of the 3 counties of the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
274,666
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 229,861 · ACS 2020-2024: 246,802
Median household income
$84,358
±$2,255 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$310,300
±$5,963 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$1,654
±$39 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Berkeley County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 229,861 residents in Berkeley County. The Census Bureau estimates 274,666 for July 1, 2025, up 19.5% since 2020, faster than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 246,802 over 1,104 square miles of land.
| Measure | Berkeley County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 246,802 | 5,296,225 | +31,758 |
| Households | 93,711±781 | 2,117,989 | +16,830 |
| Average household size | 2.59±0.02 | 2.44 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 100,600±79 | 2,443,039 | +16,502 |
Berkeley County's population since 2000
From 142,651 in 2000 to 274,666 in 2025: up 92.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Berkeley County?
Berkeley County holds 15 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Goose Creek with 52,010 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Goose Creek | 45,946 | $88,178 |
|---|---|---|
| Hanahan | 20,325 | $87,984 |
| Charleston | 150,227 | $92,414 |
| Moncks Corner | 13,297 | $91,500 |
| Ladson | 15,550 | $78,760 |
| Sangaree | 7,781 | $77,673 |
| Summerville | 50,915 | $81,046 |
| Bonneau Beach | 1,982 | $60,865 |
| St. Stephen | 1,571 | $65,370 |
| Pimlico | 1,208 | $137,070 |
| PinopolisGEOID 4557175 | 982 | $122,530 |
| Bonneau | 431 | $47,604 |
| RussellvilleGEOID 4562305 | 380 | not published |
| JamestownGEOID 4536475 | 68 | not published |
| North Charleston | 114,852 | $62,956 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Berkeley County?
The median resident of Berkeley County is 36.9 years old; 23.6% are under 18 and 14.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 60.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 22.7%. 6.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Berkeley County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.9±0.2 | 40.2 | +0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 23.6%±0.1 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.8%±0.1 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.2% | 7.4% | +2.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 60.1%±0.3 pts | 61.9% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 22.7%±0.5 pts | 24.6% | −1.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.5%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | +0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.6%±0.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.7%±0.6 pts | 5.8% | +1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.0%±0.7 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.4%±0.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 13.4%±0.6 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.2%±0.8 pts | 9.6% | −1.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.2%±0.9 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 31.0%±1.0 pts | 32.1% | +6.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.6%±0.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.0%±0.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
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 Berkeley County earn?
Half of Berkeley County's 93,711 households earn less than $84,358 a year (±$2,255), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $77,914 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,444 after inflation. 9.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Berkeley County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $84,358±$2,255 | $69,324 | +$6,444 |
| Mean household income | $104,881±$2,550 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,958±$903 | $39,236 | +$4,453 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.9%±1.0 pts | 14.1% | −2.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.8%±2.3 pts | 19.4% | −3.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.1%±0.8 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.8%±0.9 pts | 88.8% | – |
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 Berkeley County?
Owners occupy 74.5% of Berkeley County's occupied homes and renters 25.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $310,300 by its owner (±$5,963). The median renter pays $1,654 a month including utilities, and 42.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Berkeley County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $310,300±$5,963 | $259,000 | +$82,006 |
| Median gross rent | $1,654±$39 | $1,180 | +$289 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.7%±3.1 pts | 42.8% | +7.2 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,681±$37 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.5%±1.3 pts | 71.9% | +2.6 pts |
| Housing units | 100,600±79 | 2,443,039 | +16,502 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.3%±1.6 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.7%±1.4 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.6%±1.0 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 8.7%±0.8 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 3.6% | – |
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 Berkeley County building?
Builders took permits for 2,299 new housing units across Berkeley County in 2025 (1,802 single-family), 8.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Berkeley County get to work?
76.5% of Berkeley County's workers drive alone and 12.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.
| Measure | Berkeley County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.0%±0.9 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%±0.5 pts | 4.9% | −1.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.5%±1.4 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8%±1.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.7%±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.4%±1.3 pts | 11.5% | +7.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.7 min±0.7 | 25.6 min | +1.5 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 are Berkeley County's census tracts?
Berkeley County is divided into 48 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,726 (Tract 202.02) to $158,104 (Tract 204.06).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Berkeley County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 8th of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 3rd of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 12th of 46 |
| Median household income | 4th of 46 |
| Median home value | 7th of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 1st of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 44th of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10th of 46 |
| Median age | 44th of 46 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Berkeley County 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' school search.