Berkeley County, SC

County

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2019 Population

215,044

2.86% 1-year growth

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

36.1

0.278% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

11.9%

2.22% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$63,309

5.52% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$185,500

6.61% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

100,320

4.01% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Berkeley County, SC had a population of 215k people with a median age of 36.1 and a median household income of $63,309. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Berkeley County, SC grew from 209,065 to 215,044, a 2.86% increase and its median household income grew from $59,995 to $63,309, a 5.52% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Berkeley County, SC are White (Non-Hispanic) (63.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (23.8%), White (Hispanic) (3.07%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.04%), and Other (Hispanic) (2.82%). 0% of the households in Berkeley County, SC speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

97% of the residents in Berkeley County, SC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Berkeley County, SC are Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek (109 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2019, the median property value in Berkeley County, SC was $185,500, and the homeownership rate was 71.9%. Most people in Berkeley County, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27 minutes. The average car ownership in Berkeley County, SC was 2 cars per household.

Berkeley County, SC borders Charleston County, SC, Clarendon County, SC, Dorchester County, SC, Georgetown County, SC, Orangeburg County, SC, and Williamsburg County, SC.

United States South Carolina Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Diversity

Berkeley County, SC is home to a population of 215k people, from which 97% are citizens. As of 2019, 5.57% of Berkeley County, SC residents were born outside of the country (12k people).

In 2019, there were 2.66 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (137k people) in Berkeley County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 51.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 6.59k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Berkeley County, SC

White (Non-Hispanic)
137k ± 246
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
51.3k ± 626
White (Hispanic)
6.59k ± 764

6.61%

Hispanic Population

14.2k people

6.61% of the people in Berkeley County, SC are hispanic (14.2k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

5.57%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

12k people

5.41%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

11.3k people

As of 2019, 5.57% of Berkeley County, SC residents (12k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Berkeley County, SC was 5.41%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.1

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.4

In 2019, the median age of all people in Berkeley County, SC was 36.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 36, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 43. But people in Berkeley County, SC are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Berkeley County, SC residents was 36.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
64,736 ± 6,206 people
India
14,943 ± 2,997 people
Honduras
11,181 ± 2,593 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 64,736 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 14,943 and Honduras with 11,181.

Citizenship

97%

2019 Citizenship

97.1%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 97% of Berkeley County, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Berkeley County, SC was 97.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
6,410 ± 687
Vietnam
5,847 ± 405
Gulf War (1990s)
5,338 ± 554

Berkeley County, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.1 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for South Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in South Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in South Carolina. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of South Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Berkeley County, SC is $63,309. In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Berkeley County, SC was Census Tract 204.03 with a value of $122,297, followed by Census Tract 207.21 and Census Tract 208.12, with respective values of $103,194 and $98,429.

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.37 times higher than the average income of females, which is $43,921. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.461, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Berkeley County, SC employs 100k people. The largest industries in Berkeley County, SC are Manufacturing (12,195 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (11,473 people), and Retail Trade (11,110 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($61,261), Utilities ($58,947), and Manufacturing ($52,880).

Wages

Median Household Income

$63,309

2019 value

± $1,332

5.52%

1 Year Growth

± 3.1%

Households in Berkeley County, SC have a median annual income of $63,309, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $59,995 in 2018, which represents a 5.52% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Berkeley County, SC compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$60,300

Average Male Salary in South Carolina

± $1,526

$43,921

Average Female Salary in South Carolina

± $1,088

In 2019, full-time male employees in South Carolina made 1.37 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in South Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in South Carolina

Asian
$57,024 ± $9,306
White
$51,354 ± $1,131
American Indian
$44,350 ± $16,152

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of South Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.11 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in South Carolina.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in South Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Berkeley County, SC is from South Carolina.

0.461

2019 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.462

2018 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2019, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.461 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.211% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 204.03
Census Tract 207.21
Census Tract 208.12

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Berkeley County, SC was Census Tract 204.03 with a value of $122,297, followed by Census Tract 207.21 and Census Tract 208.12, with respective values of $103,194 and $98,429.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Berkeley County, SC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

11.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Berkeley County, SC (25.1k out of 211k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Females 18 - 24.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
12,189 ± 802
Black
9,916 ± 826
Hispanic
2,663 ± 386

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

100k

2019 Value

± 2,387

4.01%

1 Year growth

± 3.21%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Berkeley County, SC grew at a rate of 4.01%, from 96.5k employees to 100k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Berkeley County, SC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (12,405 people), Sales & Related Occupations (9,487 people), and Management Occupations (9,069 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Berkeley County, SC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Berkeley County, SC, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (12,405 people), Sales & Related Occupations (9,487 people), and Management Occupations (9,069 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Berkeley County, SC has an unusually high number of residents working as Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.64 times higher than expected), Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.49 times), and Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (1.44 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Berkeley County, SC, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($78,561), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($71,126), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($68,527).

Industries

Employment by Industries

100k

2019 Value

± 2,387

4.01%

1 Year growth

± 3.21%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Berkeley County, SC grew at a rate of 4.01%, from 96.5k employees to 100k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Berkeley County, SC, are Manufacturing (12,195 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (11,473 people), and Retail Trade (11,110 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Berkeley County, SC, though some of these residents may live in Berkeley County, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Berkeley County, SC, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (12,195 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (11,473 people), and Retail Trade (11,110 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Berkeley County, SC has an unusually high number of Utilities (1.8 times higher than expected), Public Administration (1.5 times), and Construction (1.29 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Berkeley County, SC, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($61,261), Utilities ($58,947), and Manufacturing ($52,880).

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 $38.2B, followed by Plastics/rubber ($32.1B) 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.

$285B

2020 Value in South Carolina

$613B

Projected 2050 Value in South Carolina

115% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Carolina trade was $285B. This is expected to increase 115% 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
$30.1B
Georgia
$22.4B
Texas
$13.2B

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $30.1B, followed by Georgia with $22.4B and Texas and $13.2B.

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 Berkeley County, SC went to Donald J. Trump with 54.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.42%). The most partisan county was Allendale County, SC with 75.6% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

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 Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (54.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.3%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.42%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Berkeley County, SC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of South Carolina.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Berkeley County, SC

54.9% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in South Carolina

Allendale County, SC
75.6% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Pickens County, SC
74.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Oconee County, SC
73% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in South Carolina was Allendale County, SC with 75.6% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in South Carolina colored by their party leaning.

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 3, 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 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 2020, universities in Berkeley County, SC awarded 109 degrees. The student population of Berkeley County, SC is skewed towards women, with 3 male students and 154 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Berkeley County, SC are White (55 and 50.5%), followed by Black or African American (47 and 43.1%), Hispanic or Latino (4 and 3.67%), and Asian (1 and 0.917%).

The largest universities in Berkeley County, SC by number of degrees awarded are Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek (109 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Berkeley County, SC are Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist (86 and 78.9%), General Cosmetology (23 and 21.1%), and Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor (0 and 0%).

Concentrations

Most Common

General Cosmetology
23 degree-majorss awarded
N/A
N/A degree-majorss awarded
N/A
N/A degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Berkeley County, SC was General Cosmetology with 23 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Berkeley County, SC according to their major.

Universities

Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

109 degrees awarded

In 2020, the Berkeley County, SC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek with 109 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

Degrees Awarded to Men

108

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 1 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Berkeley County, SC, which is 0.00926 times less than the 108 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Berkeley County, SC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
55 degrees awarded
Black or African American
47 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
4 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Berkeley County, SC was White students. These 55 degrees mean that there were 1.17 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 47 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Berkeley County, SC was $185,500 in 2019, which is 0.771 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $174,000 to $185,500, a 6.61% increase. The homeownership rate in Berkeley County, SC is 71.9%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Berkeley County, SC have an average commute time of 27 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Berkeley County, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$185,500

2019 Median

± $3,199

$174,000

2018 Median

± $2,390

In 2019, the median property value in Berkeley County, SC grew to to $185,500 from the previous year's value of $174,000.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Berkeley County, SC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Berkeley County, SC the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

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

$63,309

Median Household Income

± $1,332

76.9k

Number of Households

± 1,966

In 2019, the median household income of the 76.9k households in Berkeley County, SC grew to $63,309 from the previous year's value of $59,995.

The following chart displays the households in Berkeley County, 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.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Berkeley County, SC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Berkeley County, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

71.9%

2019 Homeownership

71.7%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 71.9% of the housing units in Berkeley County, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 71.7%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Berkeley County, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

27 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Berkeley County, SC have a longer commute time (27 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.92% of the workforce in Berkeley County, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (81.8%)
Carpooled (9.43%)
Worked At Home (4.51%)

In 2019, 81.8% of workers in Berkeley County, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.43%) and those who worked at home (4.51%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Health

89.2% of the population of Berkeley County, SC has health coverage, with 44.5% on employee plans, 13.9% on Medicaid, 8.89% on Medicare, 16.9% on non-group plans, and 5.03% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in South Carolina was $7,311 in 2014. This is a 4.15% increase from the previous year ($7,020).

Primary care physicians in Berkeley County, SC see 3114 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.84% decrease from the previous year (3205 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3798 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 867 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Williamsburg County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (23.4%). Additionally, Union County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (46.8%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

3,114 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Berkeley County, SC

Primary care physicians in Berkeley County, SC see an average of 3,114 patients per year. This represents a 2.84% decrease from the previous year (3,205 patients).

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

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$7,311

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in South Carolina

$4,235

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,491

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,298

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in South Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.15%, from $7,020 to $7,311.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

10.8%

Uninsured

44.5%

Employer Coverage

13.9%

Medicaid

8.89%

Medicare

16.9%

Non-Group

5.03%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Berkeley County, SC declined by 2.83% from 11.1% to 10.8%.

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