County · South Carolina
Charleston County, South Carolina
Charleston County, South Carolina. Charleston County had 436,200 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.8% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). It holds 19 places (17 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 99 census tracts. GEOID 45019.
Charleston 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
436,200
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 408,235 · ACS 2020-2024: 420,264
Median household income
$88,494
±$1,950 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$489,100
±$9,282 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$1,620
±$36 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Charleston County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 408,235 residents in Charleston County. The Census Bureau estimates 436,200 for July 1, 2025, up 6.8% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 420,264 over 918 square miles of land.
| Measure | Charleston County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 420,264 | 5,296,225 | +19,099 |
| Households | 178,975±1,483 | 2,117,989 | +19,780 |
| Average household size | 2.29±0.02 | 2.44 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 209,803±117 | 2,443,039 | +21,850 |
Charleston County's population since 2000
From 309,969 in 2000 to 436,200 in 2025: up 40.7%. 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 Charleston County?
Charleston County holds 19 places: 17 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Charleston with 159,423 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Charleston | 150,227 | $92,414 |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | 90,801 | $124,755 |
| North Charleston | 114,852 | $62,956 |
| James Island | 11,621 | $104,217 |
| Hollywood | 5,339 | $73,693 |
| Isle of Palms | 4,347 | $156,979 |
| Ladson | 15,550 | $78,760 |
| Summerville | 50,915 | $81,046 |
| Ravenel | 2,542 | $82,738 |
| Folly Beach | 2,078 | $102,279 |
| Seabrook Island | 2,050 | $127,500 |
| Kiawah Island | 2,013 | $213,594 |
| Sullivan's Island | 1,891 | $192,813 |
| Awendaw | 1,399 | $77,010 |
| Meggett | 1,390 | $97,865 |
| Lincolnville | 1,147 | $40,417 |
| McClellanville | 605 | $107,083 |
| Adams RunGEOID 4500370 | 421 | $79,107 |
| RockvilleGEOID 4561495 | 141 | $82,500 |
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 Charleston County?
The median resident of Charleston County is 39.2 years old; 19.5% are under 18 and 17.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 22.7%. 6.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Charleston County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.2±0.3 | 40.2 | +1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 19.5%±0.1 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.9%±0.1 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.2% | 7.4% | +2.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.5%±0.2 pts | 61.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 22.7%±0.3 pts | 24.6% | −3.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.1 pts | 1.7% | +0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±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 | 3.4%±0.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.7%±0.3 pts | 5.8% | +1.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.0%±0.4 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.2%±0.4 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 11.2%±0.5 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.3%±0.6 pts | 9.6% | −2.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5%±0.5 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 50.3%±0.9 pts | 32.1% | +6.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.8%±0.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.5%±0.4 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 Charleston County earn?
Half of Charleston County's 178,975 households earn less than $88,494 a year (±$1,950), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $78,791 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,703 after inflation. 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Charleston County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $88,494±$1,950 | $69,324 | +$9,703 |
| Mean household income | $131,674±$4,640 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $56,921±$1,662 | $39,236 | +$7,799 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.3%±0.8 pts | 14.1% | −2.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.6%±2.1 pts | 19.4% | −5.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.4%±0.6 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.9%±0.8 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 Charleston County?
Owners occupy 63.9% of Charleston County's occupied homes and renters 36.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $489,100 by its owner (±$9,282). The median renter pays $1,620 a month including utilities, and 44.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Charleston County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $489,100±$9,282 | $259,000 | +$100,693 |
| Median gross rent | $1,620±$36 | $1,180 | +$155 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.8%±2.2 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,167±$47 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.9%±1.0 pts | 71.9% | +2.3 pts |
| Housing units | 209,803±117 | 2,443,039 | +21,850 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 11.7%±1.3 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 58.0%±0.9 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.9%±0.5 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.4%±0.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.9%±0.4 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 Charleston County building?
Builders took permits for 3,392 new housing units across Charleston County in 2025 (2,401 single-family), 7.8 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 Charleston County get to work?
69.0% of Charleston County's workers drive alone and 17.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Charleston County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.0%±0.6 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±0.4 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 69.0%±1.2 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.5%±0.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 17.7%±0.9 pts | 11.5% | +10.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.1 min±0.5 | 25.6 min | +1.2 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 Charleston County's census tracts?
Charleston County is divided into 99 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $33,636 (Tract 43) to $250,000 or more (Tract 2).
All 99 census tracts of Charleston County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Charleston County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 3rd of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 16th of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd of 46 |
| Median household income | 2nd of 46 |
| Median home value | 1st of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 41st of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1st of 46 |
| Median age | 38th 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 Charleston 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.