Berkeley County, SC

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Population

204,632

2.79% growth

Median Age

35.8


Median Household Income

$56,697

4.06% growth

Poverty Rate

12.8%


Number of Employees

93,092

4.44% growth

Median Property Value

$164,900

2.49% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Berkeley County, SC had a population of 205k people with a median age of 35.8 and a median household income of $56,697. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Berkeley County, SC grew from 199,081 to 204,632, a 2.79% increase and its median household income grew from $54,484 to $56,697, a 4.06% increase.

The population of Berkeley County, SC is 64% White Alone, 23.9% Black or African American Alone, and 6.28% Hispanic or Latino. N/A% of the people in Berkeley County, SC speak a non-English language, and 97.1% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Berkeley County, SC are Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek (44 degrees awarded in 2017).

The median property value in Berkeley County, SC is $164,900, and the homeownership rate is 70%. Most people in Berkeley County, SC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 26.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Berkeley County, SC is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: The City of North Charleston held its Fourth of July Festival at Riverfront Park on Friday, July 4, 2014, an all-day event featuring live music, family-friendly activities, and local food vendors.

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United StatesSouth CarolinaCharleston-North Charleston, SC

Economy

The economy of Berkeley County, SC employs 93.1k people. The largest industries in Berkeley County, SC are Retail Trade (11,428 people), Manufacturing (11,286 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (10,971 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($52,014), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($50,669), and Manufacturing ($50,234).

Median household income in Berkeley County, SC is $56,697. Males in Berkeley County, SC have an average income that is 1.37 times higher than the average income of females, which is $40,985. The income inequality in Berkeley County, SC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.46, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$56,697

2017 value

± $1,142

4.06%

1 Year Growth

± 2.88%

Households in Berkeley County, SC have a median annual income of $56,697, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $54,484 in 2016, which represents a 4.06% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Berkeley County, SC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$56,080

Average Male Salary

± $1,419

$40,985

Average Female Salary

± $1,018

In 2017, full-time male employees in South Carolina made 1.37 times more than female employees.

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

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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

  1. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

    $49,597 ± $53,271

  2. Asian

    $47,877 ± $7,789

  3. White

    $47,332 ± $1,044

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of South Carolina workers was Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander. These workers were paid 1.04 times more than Asian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

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.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.46

2017 Wage GINI

0.456

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.46 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.695% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 204.03

  2. Census Tract 208.12

  3. Census Tract 204.04

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Berkeley County, SC was Census Tract 204.03 with a value of $125,063, followed by Census Tract 208.12 and Census Tract 204.04, with respective values of $91,369 and $84,453.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

12.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Berkeley County, SC (25.6k out of 201k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Females 35 - 44.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    13,420 ± 831

  2. Black

    9,171 ± 723

  3. Hispanic

    2,660 ± 364

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

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

93.1k

2017 Value

± 2,200

4.44%

1 Year growth

± 3.22%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Berkeley County, SC grew at a rate of 4.44%, from 89.1k employees to 93.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Berkeley County, SC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (12,686 people), Sales & Related Occupations (9,701 people), and Management Occupations (8,266 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Berkeley County, SC.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Berkeley County, SC, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (12,686 people), Sales & Related Occupations (9,701 people), and Management Occupations (8,266 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Berkeley County, SC has an unusually high number of residents working as Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.52 times higher than expected), Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.31 times), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (1.31 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Berkeley County, SC, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($69,045), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($66,113), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($66,000).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

93.1k

2017 Value

± 2,200

4.44%

1 Year growth

± 3.22%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Berkeley County, SC grew at a rate of 4.44%, from 89.1k employees to 93.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Berkeley County, SC, are Retail Trade (11,428 people), Manufacturing (11,286 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (10,971 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Berkeley County, SC, by number of employees, are Retail Trade (11,428 people), Manufacturing (11,286 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (10,971 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Berkeley County, SC has an unusually high number of Utilities (2.01 times higher than expected), Public Administration (1.47 times), and Construction (1.39 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Berkeley County, SC, by median earnings, are Utilities ($52,014), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($50,669), and Manufacturing ($50,234).

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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

  1. Plastics/rubber

    $17.8B

  2. Machinery

    $17.1B

  3. Electronics

    $12.6B

In 2015, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Plastics/rubber with $17.8B, followed by Machinery ($17.1B) and Electronics ($12.6B).

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Carolina state.

$178B

2020 Value

$244B

Projected 2045 Value

37% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Carolina trade was $178B. This is expected to increase 37% to $244B by 2045.

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

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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

  1. North Carolina

    $24.2B

  2. Georgia

    $14.4B

  3. Tennessee

    $6.22B

In 2015, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $24.2B, followed by Georgia with $14.4B and Tennessee and $6.22B.

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

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Health

87.9% of the population of Berkeley County, SC has health coverage, with 44.2% on employee plans, 14.2% on Medicaid, 8.69% on Medicare, 15.8% on non-group plans, and 5.04% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Berkeley County, SC 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 2816 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.29% increase from the previous year (2753 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3766 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1093 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Dillon County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (20.1%). Additionally, Lee County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (42.8%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,816 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Berkeley County, SC see an average of 2,816 patients per year. This represents a 2.29% increase from the previous year (2,753 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 neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. 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.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. 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.

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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 

$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.

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Health Care Coverage

12.1%

Uninsured

44.2%

Employer Coverage

14.2%

Medicaid

8.69%

Medicare

15.8%

Non-Group

5.04%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Berkeley County, SC declined by 9.02% from 13.3% to 12.1%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Dillon County

    20.1% prevalence

  2. Williamsburg County

    19.6% prevalence

  3. Barnwell County

    18.7% prevalence

Dillon County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in South Carolina, at 20.1%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in South Carolina by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Berkeley County, SC is home to a population of 205k people, from which 97.1% are citizens. As of 2017, 5.26% of Berkeley County, SC residents were born outside of the country (10.8k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Berkeley County, SC is composed of 131k White Alone residents (64%), 48.9k Black or African American Alone residents (23.9%), 12.9k Hispanic or Latino residents (6.28%), 5.91k Two or More Races residents (2.89%), 4.62k Asian Alone residents (2.26%), 759 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.371%), 483 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.236%), and 148 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0723%).

Age

Age by Nativity

35

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

43

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.7

In 2017, the median age of all people in Berkeley County, SC was 35.8. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 35, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 43. But people in Berkeley County, SC are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Berkeley County, SC residents was 36.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

5.26%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

10.8k people

5.2%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

10.3k people

As of 2017, 5.26% of Berkeley County, SC residents (10.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Berkeley County, SC was 5.2%, 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.

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Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    68,828 ± 6,396 people

  2. India

    11,778 ± 2,661 people

  3. Philippines

    9,880 ± 2,438 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 68,828 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 11,778 and Philippines with 9,880.

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Citizenship

97.1%

2017 Citizenship

97.2%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 97.1% of Berkeley County, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Berkeley County, SC was 97.2%, 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.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    131k ± 55

  2. Black or African American Alone

    48.9k ± 574

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    12.9k ± 1.12k

In 2017, there were 2.68 times more White Alone residents (131k people) in Berkeley County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 48.9k Black or African American Alone and 12.9k Hispanic or Latino residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Berkeley County, SC as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    5,956 ± 397

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    5,712 ± 629

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    4,876 ± 543

Berkeley County, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.04 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Berkeley County, SC awarded 44 degrees. The student population of Berkeley County, SC is skewed towards women, with 2 male students and 124 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Berkeley County, SC are White (28 and 63.6%), followed by Black or African American (14 and 31.8%), Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders (1 and 2.27%), and Unknown (1 and 2.27%).

The largest universities in Berkeley County, SC by number of degrees awarded are Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek (44 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Berkeley County, SC are Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist (26 and 59.1%) and General Cosmetology (18 and 40.9%).

The median tuition costs in Berkeley County, SC are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. N/A

    N/A degrees awarded

  2. Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist

    26 degrees awarded

  3. N/A

    N/A degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for < 1 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Berkeley County, SC was N/A with N/A degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

44 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2017, the Berkeley County, SC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek with 44 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

1

Degrees Awarded to Men

43

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 1 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Berkeley County, SC, which is 0.0233 times less than the 43 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    28 degrees awarded

  2. Black or African American

    14 degrees awarded

  3. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders

    1 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Berkeley County, SC were to White students. These 28 degrees mean that there were 2 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 14 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Berkeley County, SC was $164,900 in 2017, which is 0.718 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $160,900 to $164,900, a 2.49% increase. The homeownership rate in Berkeley County, SC is 70%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Berkeley County, SC have an average commute time of 26.3 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. 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

$164,900

2017 Median

± $2,493

$160,900

2016 Median

± $2,633

In 2017, the median property value in Berkeley County, SC grew to to $164,900 from the previous year's value of $160,900.

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.

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Household Income

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

$56,697

Median Household Income

± $1,142

73.2k

Number of Households

± 1,804

In 2017, the median household income of the 73.2k households in Berkeley County, SC grew to $56,697 from the previous year's value of $54,484.

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.

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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.

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Rent vs Own

70%

2017 Homeownership

69.8%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 70% of the housing units in Berkeley County, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Berkeley County, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

26.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Berkeley County, SC have a longer commute time (26.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 1.75% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    82.5%

  2. Carpooled

    9.24%

  3. Worked At Home

    3.63%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Berkeley County, SC was Drove Alone (82.5%), followed by those who Carpooled (9.24%) and those who Worked At Home (3.63%).

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.

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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 3 cars.

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