North Charleston, SC

Census Place

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2021 Population

114,542

0.581% 1-year growth

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

33.7

1.51% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

18.1%

8.52% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$52,264

10.7% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$203,100

10% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

56,202

3.37% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, North Charleston, SC had a population of 115k people with a median age of 33.7 and a median household income of $52,264. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of North Charleston, SC grew from 113,880 to 114,542, a 0.581% increase and its median household income grew from $47,201 to $52,264, a 10.7% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in North Charleston, SC are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (43.1%), White (Non-Hispanic) (37.1%), White (Hispanic) (4.31%), Other (Hispanic) (4.16%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.05%).

None of the households in North Charleston, SC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

92% of the residents in North Charleston, SC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in North Charleston, SC are Trident Technical College (2,180 degrees awarded in 2021), Charleston Southern University (724 degrees), and Miller-Motte College-Charleston (254 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in North Charleston, SC was $203,100, and the homeownership rate was 48.7%.

Most people in North Charleston, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24 minutes. The average car ownership in North Charleston, SC was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Harvey Craft

United States South Carolina Berkeley County, SC Charleston County, SC Dorchester County, SC Charleston-North Charleston, SC Charleston City PUMA, SC North Charleston City PUMA, SC

Population & Diversity

North Charleston, SC is home to a population of 115k people, from which 92% are citizens. As of 2021, 11.5% of North Charleston, SC residents were born outside of the country (13.2k people).

In 2021, there were 1.16 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (49.3k people) in North Charleston, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 42.5k White (Non-Hispanic) and 4.93k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

92%

2021 Citizenship

92.5%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 92% of North Charleston, SC residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in North Charleston, SC was 92.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in North Charleston, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in North Charleston, SC

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
49.3k ± 2.07k
White (Non-Hispanic)
42.5k ± 1.96k
White (Hispanic)
4.93k ± 1.02k

11.2%

Hispanic Population

12.8k people

11.2% of the people in North Charleston, SC are hispanic (12.8k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in North Charleston, SC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
59,828 ± 5,970 people
India
16,728 ± 3,170 people
Honduras
13,020 ± 2,798 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 59,828 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 16,728 and Honduras with 13,020.

Foreign-Born Population

11.5%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

13.2k people

10.8%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

12.2k people

As of 2021, 11.5% of North Charleston, SC residents (13.2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in North Charleston, SC was 10.8%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in North Charleston, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
3,854 ± 601
Vietnam
2,001 ± 302
Gulf War (1990s)
1,806 ± 364

North Charleston, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.93 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of North Charleston, SC employs 56.2k people. The largest industries in North Charleston, SC are Health Care & Social Assistance (7,497 people), Retail Trade (6,600 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (5,570 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($62,146), Manufacturing ($53,770), and Information ($50,781).

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.38 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,907. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.463, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

56.2k

2021 Value

± 2,325

3.37%

1 Year growth

± 5.51%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in North Charleston, SC grew at a rate of 3.37%, from 54.4k employees to 56.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in North Charleston, SC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,984 people), Management Occupations (5,411 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (5,146 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of North Charleston, SC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

56.2k

2021 Value

± 2,325

3.37%

1 Year growth

± 5.51%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in North Charleston, SC grew at a rate of 3.37%, from 54.4k employees to 56.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in North Charleston, SC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (7,497 people), Retail Trade (6,600 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (5,570 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of North Charleston, SC, though some of these residents may live in North Charleston, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,795

Median earning men ± $1,990

$30,051

Median earning women ± $1,783

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($57,636), Manufacturing ($54,867), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($54,856).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Information ($53,308), Manufacturing ($44,504), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($39,188).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in South Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in South Carolina.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $39.9B, followed by Plastics/rubber ($29.5B) and Machinery ($26.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound South Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Carolina.

$273B

2020 Value in South Carolina

$613B

Projected 2050 Value in South Carolina

124% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Carolina trade was $273B. This is expected to increase 124% to $613B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound South Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

North Carolina
$28.9B
Georgia
$21.4B
Texas
$10.9B

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $28.9B, followed by Georgia with $21.4B and Texas and $10.9B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that South Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 55.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.11%).

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing the state of South Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for North Charleston, SC. Showing the available data for South Carolina.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (55.1%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.11%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 55.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.11%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from South Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Lindsey Graham

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2003

Tim Scott

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 2, 2013
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Jim DeMint.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing South Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in South Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from South Carolina

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for South Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in North Charleston, SC awarded 3,405 degrees. The student population of North Charleston, SC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 5,625 male students and 9,685 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in North Charleston, SC are White (1,978 and 58.3%), followed by Black or African American (885 and 26.1%), Unknown (207 and 6.1%), and Two or More Races (141 and 4.16%).

The largest universities in North Charleston, SC by number of degrees awarded are Trident Technical College (2,180 and 64%), Charleston Southern University (724 and 21.3%), and Miller-Motte College-Charleston (254 and 7.46%).

The most popular majors in North Charleston, SC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (505 and 14.8%), Registered Nursing (268 and 7.87%), and Medical Assistant (145 and 4.26%).

The median tuition cost in North Charleston, SC for private four year colleges is $28,660.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in North Charleston, SC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 59%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 31.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 15,310 (36.7% men and 63.3% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 15,310 students enrolled in North Charleston, SC, 36.7% men and 63.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 8,709 records, of which 60.7% were women and 39.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
191 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
75 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
447 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in North Charleston, SC was Registered Nursing with 191 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in North Charleston, SC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Trident Technical College
2,180 degrees awarded
Charleston Southern University
724 degrees awarded
Miller-Motte College-Charleston
254 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Trident Technical College with 2,180 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,191 men were awarded degrees from institutions in North Charleston, SC, which is 0.538 times less than the 2,214 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,978 degrees mean that there were 2.24 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 885 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($28,660) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private for-profit, 2-year ($1,800) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,460) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Measure

In 2021, 0.829% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.722% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.18M), Some college (890k), and Bachelors Degree (688k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in North Charleston, SC was $203,100 in 2021, which is 0.829 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $184,600 to $203,100, a 10% increase. The homeownership rate in North Charleston, SC is 48.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in North Charleston, SC have an average commute time of 24 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in North Charleston, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in North Charleston, SC is $52,264. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in North Charleston, SC was Census Tract 108.19 with a value of $120,028, followed by Census Tract 35 and Census Tract 108.20, with respective values of $89,053 and $83,723.

Housing

Property

$203,100

Median Property Value 2021

±$8,688

$22,132

Median Property Taxes

±$1,286

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In North Charleston, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in North Charleston, SC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

48.7%

Homeownership

2021

66.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 48.7% of the housing units in North Charleston, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 46.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in North Charleston, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 108.19
Census Tract 35
Census Tract 108.20

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in North Charleston, SC was Census Tract 108.19 with a value of $120,028, followed by Census Tract 35 and Census Tract 108.20, with respective values of $89,053 and $83,723.

The following map shows all of the places in North Charleston, SC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$52,264

Median Household Income

± $2,707

45.4k

Number of Households

± 1,960

In 2021, the median household income of the 45.4k households in North Charleston, SC grew to $52,264 from the previous year's value of $47,201.

The following chart displays the households in North Charleston, SC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for North Charleston, SC is from South Carolina.

0.463

2021 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.462

2020 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.463 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.122% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in South Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (78.5%)
Carpooled (10.1%)
Worked At Home (6.53%)

In 2021, 78.5% of workers in North Charleston, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.1%) and those who worked at home (6.53%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

24 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in North Charleston, SC have a shorter commute time (24 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 0.996% of the workforce in North Charleston, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in North Charleston, SC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in North Charleston, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in North Charleston, SC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

18.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in North Charleston, SC (19.7k out of 109k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in North Charleston, SC is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

82% of the population of North Charleston, SC has health coverage, with 41.1% on employee plans, 16.2% on Medicaid, 7.23% on Medicare, 12.8% on non-group plans, and 4.71% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Charleston County, SC see 800 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.11% decrease from the previous year (809 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 917 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 261 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Charleston County, SC.

800 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Charleston County, SC

Primary care physicians in Charleston County, SC see an average of 800 patients per year. This represents a 1.11% decrease from the previous year (809 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Charleston County, SC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.9% under 18 years, 25.6% between 18 and 34 years, 36.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 11.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.5% were men and 52.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

18%

Uninsured

41.1%

Employer Coverage

16.2%

Medicaid

7.23%

Medicare

12.8%

Non-Group

4.71%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in North Charleston, SC grew by 0.145% from 17.9% to 18%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in North Charleston, SC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.