Charleston County, SC

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Population

405,905

1.11% growth

Median Age

38.2


Median Household Income

$63,459

4.8% growth

Poverty Rate

15.3%


Number of Employees

208,236

0.942% decline

Median Property Value

$339,900

2.91% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2018, Charleston County, SC had a population of 406k people with a median age of 38.2 and a median household income of $63,459. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Charleston County, SC grew from 401,438 to 405,905, a 1.11% increase and its median household income grew from $60,555 to $63,459, a 4.8% increase.

The population of Charleston County, SC is 64.8% White Alone, 26.3% Black or African American Alone, and 5.09% Hispanic or Latino. N/A% of the people in Charleston County, SC speak a non-English language, and 96.8% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Charleston County, SC are Trident Technical College (2,892 degrees awarded in 2017), College of Charleston (2,574 degrees), and Medical University of South Carolina (1,051 degrees).

The median property value in Charleston County, SC is $339,900, and the homeownership rate is 62%. Most people in Charleston County, SC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 22.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Charleston County, SC is 2 cars per household.

Photo by Roland Turner

United StatesSouth CarolinaCharleston-North Charleston, SC

Economy

The economy of Charleston County, SC employs 208k people. The largest industries in Charleston County, SC are Health Care & Social Assistance (30,645 people), Retail Trade (22,739 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (22,246 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($95,329), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($73,492), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($70,566).

Median household income in Charleston County, SC is $63,459. Males in Charleston County, SC have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,129. The income inequality in Charleston County, SC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.464, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$63,459

2018 value

± $3,872

4.8%

1 Year Growth

± 7.77%

Households in Charleston County, SC have a median annual income of $63,459, which is more than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $60,555 in 2017, which represents a 4.8% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Charleston 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.

$59,728

Average Male Salary

± $1,565

$44,129

Average Female Salary

± $1,115

In 2018, full-time male employees in South Carolina made 1.35 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. Asian

    $58,374 ± $10,504

  2. White

    $51,299 ± $1,155

  3. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

    $40,072 ± $12,512

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of South Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.14 times more than White 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 Charleston County, SC is from South Carolina.

0.464

2018 Wage GINI

0.466

2017 Wage GINI

In 2018, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.464 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.279% decline from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2018 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 46.13

  2. Census Tract 21.04

  3. Census Tract 2

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Charleston County, SC was Census Tract 46.13 with a value of $154,519, followed by Census Tract 21.04 and Census Tract 2, with respective values of $143,988 and $140,357.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Charleston County, SC (57.6k out of 376k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. Black

    28,339 ± 1,289

  2. White

    25,644 ± 1,260

  3. Hispanic

    6,225 ± 577

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Charleston County, 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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

208k

2018 Value

± 8,735

-0.942%

1 Year decline

± 6.07%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Charleston County, SC declined at a rate of -0.942%, from 210k employees to 208k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Charleston County, SC, are Management Occupations (24,273 people), Sales & Related Occupations (23,735 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (20,365 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Charleston County, SC.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Charleston County, SC, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (24,273 people), Sales & Related Occupations (23,735 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (20,365 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Charleston County, SC has an unusually high number of residents working as Legal Occupations (1.63 times higher than expected), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (1.54 times), and Community & Social Service Occupations (1.48 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Charleston County, SC, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($100,216), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($89,246), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($76,179).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

208k

2018 Value

± 8,735

-0.942%

1 Year decline

± 6.07%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Charleston County, SC declined at a rate of -0.942%, from 210k employees to 208k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Charleston County, SC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (30,645 people), Retail Trade (22,739 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (22,246 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Charleston County, SC, though some of these residents may live in Charleston 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 Charleston County, SC, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (30,645 people), Retail Trade (22,739 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (22,246 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Charleston County, SC has an unusually high number of Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (1.46 times higher than expected), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1.42 times), and Accommodation & Food Services (1.38 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Charleston County, SC, by median earnings, are Utilities ($95,329), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($73,492), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($70,566).

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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

87.7% of the population of Charleston County, SC has health coverage, with 49.8% on employee plans, 11.5% on Medicaid, 11.1% on Medicare, 13.3% on non-group plans, and 1.99% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Charleston County, SC was $7,311 in 2014. This is a 4.15% increase from the previous year ($7,020).

Primary care physicians in Charleston County, SC see 808 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.28% increase from the previous year (790 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 972 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 322 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

808 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Charleston County, SC see an average of 808 patients per year. This represents a 2.28% increase from the previous year (790 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 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

12.3%

Uninsured

49.8%

Employer Coverage

11.5%

Medicaid

11.1%

Medicare

13.3%

Non-Group

1.99%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Charleston County, SC grew by 11% from 11.1% to 12.3%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Charleston 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

Charleston County, SC is home to a population of 406k people, from which 96.8% are citizens. As of 2017, 4.79% of Charleston County, SC residents were born outside of the country (19.2k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Charleston County, SC is composed of 263k White Alone residents (64.8%), 107k Black or African American Alone residents (26.3%), 20.7k Hispanic or Latino residents (5.09%), 6.96k Asian Alone residents (1.71%), 6.61k Two or More Races residents (1.63%), 982 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.242%), 664 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.164%), and 0 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0%).

Age

Age by Nativity

38

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

41

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 4

In 2018, the median age of all people in Charleston County, SC was 38.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 38, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Charleston County, SC are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Charleston County, SC residents was 38.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.79%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

19.2k people

4.67%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

18.5k people

As of 2017, 4.79% of Charleston County, SC residents (19.2k 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 Charleston County, SC was 4.67%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Charleston 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

    62,118 ± 6,082 people

  2. India

    17,415 ± 3,234 people

  3. Germany

    13,326 ± 2,830 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 62,118 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 17,415 and Germany with 13,326.

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Citizenship

96.8%

2018 Citizenship

96.7%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 96.8% of Charleston County, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Charleston County, SC was 96.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    263k ± 622

  2. Black or African American Alone

    107k ± 1.37k

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    20.7k ± 2.48k

In 2018, there were 2.46 times more White Alone residents (263k people) in Charleston County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 107k Black or African American Alone and 20.7k 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 Charleston County, SC as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    9,772 ± 1,405

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    7,939 ± 1,944

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    5,711 ± 1,687

Charleston County, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.23 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Charleston County, SC awarded 9,232 degrees. The student population of Charleston County, SC is skewed towards women, with 15,176 male students and 21,443 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Charleston County, SC are White (6,485 and 70.6%), followed by Black or African American (1,565 and 17%), Hispanic or Latino (329 and 3.58%), and Unknown (277 and 3.02%).

The largest universities in Charleston County, SC by number of degrees awarded are Trident Technical College (2,892 and 31.3%), College of Charleston (2,574 and 27.9%), and Medical University of South Carolina (1,051 and 11.4%).

The most popular majors in Charleston County, SC are General Business Administration & Management (726 and 7.86%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (588 and 6.37%), and Registered Nursing (437 and 4.73%).

The median tuition costs in Charleston County, SC are $24,800 for private four year colleges, and $75 and $75 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Biological Sciences

    240 degrees awarded

  2. General Business Administration & Management

    466 degrees awarded

  3. Registered Nursing

    267 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Charleston County, SC was General Biological Sciences with 240 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Trident Technical College

    2,892 degrees awarded

  2. College of Charleston

    2,574 degrees awarded

  3. Medical University of South Carolina

    1,051 degrees awarded

$75

Median In-State Public

$24,800

Median Private

In 2017, the Charleston County, SC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Trident Technical College with 2,892 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

3,767

Degrees Awarded to Men

5,465

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 3,767 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Charleston County, SC, which is 0.689 times less than the 5,465 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Charleston County, SC by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    6,485 degrees awarded

  2. Black or African American

    1,565 degrees awarded

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    329 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Charleston County, SC were to White students. These 6,485 degrees mean that there were 4.14 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,565 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Charleston County, SC was $339,900 in 2018, which is 1.48 times larger than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $330,300 to $339,900, a 2.91% increase. The homeownership rate in Charleston County, SC is 62%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Charleston County, SC have an average commute time of 22.7 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Charleston County, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$339,900

2018 Median

± $12,367

$330,300

2017 Median

± $13,472

In 2018, the median property value in Charleston County, SC grew to to $339,900 from the previous year's value of $330,300.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Charleston 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 Charleston County, SC the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k 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.

$63,459

Median Household Income

± $3,872

160k

Number of Households

± 7,277

In 2018, the median household income of the 160k households in Charleston County, SC grew to $63,459 from the previous year's value of $60,555.

The following chart displays the households in Charleston 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 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Charleston County, SC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Charleston County, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

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Rent vs Own

62%

2018 Homeownership

59.9%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 62% of the housing units in Charleston County, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 59.9%.

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

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Commute Time

22.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Charleston County, SC have a shorter commute time (22.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 1.03% of the workforce in Charleston County, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Charleston 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

    79.1%

  2. Carpooled

    7.74%

  3. Worked At Home

    7.15%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Charleston County, SC was Drove Alone (79.1%), followed by those who Carpooled (7.74%) and those who Worked At Home (7.15%).

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 Charleston County, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Charleston County, SC have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

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