County · South Carolina
Dorchester County, South Carolina
Dorchester County, South Carolina. Dorchester County had 178,397 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 10.6% since 2020, faster than South Carolina (+8.8%). It holds 8 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 31 census tracts. GEOID 45035.
Dorchester 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
178,397
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 161,540 · ACS 2020-2024: 167,201
Median household income
$78,198
±$3,042 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$329,300
±$5,472 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$1,463
±$48 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Dorchester County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 161,540 residents in Dorchester County. The Census Bureau estimates 178,397 for July 1, 2025, up 10.6% since 2020, faster than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 167,201 over 568 square miles of land.
| Measure | Dorchester County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 167,201 | 5,296,225 | +8,902 |
| Households | 63,179±563 | 2,117,989 | +7,828 |
| Average household size | 2.61±0.02 | 2.44 | −0.22 |
| Housing units | 67,865±60 | 2,443,039 | +7,304 |
Dorchester County's population since 2000
From 96,413 in 2000 to 178,397 in 2025: up 85.0%. 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 Dorchester County?
Dorchester County holds 8 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Summerville with 53,177 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Summerville | 50,915 | $81,046 |
|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | 114,852 | $62,956 |
| St. George | 1,843 | $33,125 |
| Ridgeville | 1,672 | $55,637 |
| Harleyville | 666 | $64,844 |
| GroverGEOID 4531210 | 297 | not published |
| ReevesvilleGEOID 4559380 | 201 | $77,250 |
| Lincolnville | 1,147 | $40,417 |
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 Dorchester County?
The median resident of Dorchester County is 38.0 years old; 24.1% are under 18 and 15.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 60.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 24.9%. 5.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Dorchester County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0±0.3 | 40.2 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 24.1%±0.1 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.2%±0.1 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.2% | 7.4% | +1.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 60.6%±0.4 pts | 61.9% | −3.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 24.9%±0.6 pts | 24.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | +0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.4%±0.7 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.5%±0.6 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.5%±0.7 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.8%±1.0 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 13.8%±0.9 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.2%±1.0 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.1%±0.9 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.8%±1.3 pts | 32.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.5%±0.9 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.4%±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 Dorchester County earn?
Half of Dorchester County's 63,179 households earn less than $78,198 a year (±$3,042), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $77,632 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dorchester County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,198±$3,042 | $69,324 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $100,220±$3,009 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,870±$1,191 | $39,236 | +$2,130 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.4%±1.3 pts | 14.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.8%±3.1 pts | 19.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.9%±1.1 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.6%±1.1 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 Dorchester County?
Owners occupy 75.5% of Dorchester County's occupied homes and renters 24.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $329,300 by its owner (±$5,472). The median renter pays $1,463 a month including utilities, and 46.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Dorchester County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $329,300±$5,472 | $259,000 | +$84,638 |
| Median gross rent | $1,463±$48 | $1,180 | +$110 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.0%±5.4 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,790±$36 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.5%±1.7 pts | 71.9% | +3.8 pts |
| Housing units | 67,865±60 | 2,443,039 | +7,304 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.3%±2.3 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.9%±1.3 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.7%±1.2 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.9%±0.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.6%±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 Dorchester County building?
Builders took permits for 1,596 new housing units across Dorchester County in 2025 (1,596 single-family), 8.9 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 Dorchester County get to work?
77.9% of Dorchester County's workers drive alone and 11.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Dorchester County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.0%±1.2 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±0.9 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.9%±1.4 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0%±1.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.2%±1.0 pts | 11.5% | +6.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.3 min±0.8 | 25.6 min | no clear change |
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 Dorchester County's census tracts?
Dorchester County is divided into 31 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,114 (Tract 102) to $126,250 (Tract 108.19).
All 31 census tracts of Dorchester 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 Dorchester County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 12th of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 9th of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 10th of 46 |
| Median household income | 6th of 46 |
| Median home value | 5th of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 4th of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 39th of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11th of 46 |
| Median age | 41st 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 Dorchester 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.