Charleston, SC

Add Comparison

Population

131,204

1.01% growth

Poverty Rate

14.6%


Median Age

34.4


Median Household Income

$61,367

6.53% growth

Number of Employees

70,777

2.31% growth

Median Property Value

$286,200

6.24% growth

About

COVID-19

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Charleston, SC had a population of 131k people with a median age of 34.4 and a median household income of $61,367. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Charleston, SC grew from 129,888 to 131,204, a 1.01% increase and its median household income grew from $57,603 to $61,367, a 6.53% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Charleston, SC are White (Non-Hispanic) (72.1%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (21.9%), White (Hispanic) (2.37%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.55%), and Two or More Races (Non-Hispanic) (1.49%). N/A% of the people in Charleston, SC speak a non-English language, and 98% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Charleston, SC are College of Charleston (2,574 degrees awarded in 2017), Medical University of South Carolina (1,051 degrees), and Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1,033 degrees).

The median property value in Charleston, SC is $286,200, and the homeownership rate is 54.4%. Most people in Charleston, SC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 20.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Charleston, SC is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: The Old Market

Photo by Harvey Craft

United StatesSouth CarolinaCharleston County, SCBerkeley County, SCCharleston-North Charleston, SCNorth Charleston City PUMA, SCCharleston City PUMA, SCMount Pleasant Town PUMA, SC

COVID-19

Total Confirmed Cases by Date

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

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.

View Full Dashboard

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Impact on Employment

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.

View Full Dashboard

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Community Mobility

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

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.

View Full Dashboard

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Economy

The economy of Charleston, SC employs 70.8k people. The largest industries in Charleston, SC are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,009 people), Accommodation & Food Services (8,310 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (7,765 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($59,268), Manufacturing ($57,855), and Utilities ($51,683).

Median household income in Charleston, SC is $61,367. Males in Charleston, 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 Charleston, SC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.46, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$61,367

2017 value

± $1,631

6.53%

1 Year Growth

± 4.07%

Households in Charleston, SC have a median annual income of $61,367, 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 $57,603 in 2016, which represents a 6.53% annual growth.

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place 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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place 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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Charleston, 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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 2

  2. Census Tract 204.03

  3. Census Tract 1

In 2017, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Charleston, SC was Census Tract 2 with a value of $140,357, followed by Census Tract 204.03 and Census Tract 1, with respective values of $125,063 and $109,222.

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

14.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Charleston, SC (18.3k out of 125k 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 Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    9,594 ± 825

  2. Black

    7,777 ± 674

  3. Hispanic

    624 ± 223

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

70.8k

2017 Value

± 1,989

2.31%

1 Year growth

± 3.9%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Charleston, SC grew at a rate of 2.31%, from 69.2k employees to 70.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Charleston, SC, are Sales & Related Occupations (8,864 people), Management Occupations (8,371 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,863 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Charleston, SC.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Charleston, SC, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (8,864 people), Management Occupations (8,371 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,863 people).

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart
View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Charleston, SC has an unusually high number of residents working as Legal Occupations (1.75 times higher than expected), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (1.61 times), and Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (1.46 times).

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart
View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Charleston, SC, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($79,000), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($68,450), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($65,533).

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart
View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Industries

Employment by Industries

70.8k

2017 Value

± 1,989

2.31%

1 Year growth

± 3.9%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Charleston, SC grew at a rate of 2.31%, from 69.2k employees to 70.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Charleston, SC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,009 people), Accommodation & Food Services (8,310 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (7,765 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Charleston, SC, though some of these residents may live in Charleston, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Most Common

The most common industries in Charleston, SC, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,009 people), Accommodation & Food Services (8,310 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (7,765 people).

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart
View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Charleston, SC has an unusually high number of Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1.57 times higher than expected), Accommodation & Food Services (1.54 times), and Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (1.45 times) industries.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart
View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Charleston, SC, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($59,268), Manufacturing ($57,855), and Utilities ($51,683).

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart
View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

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).

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Health

90.5% of the population of Charleston, SC has health coverage, with 54.3% on employee plans, 8.94% on Medicaid, 9.32% on Medicare, 15.6% on non-group plans, and 2.24% on military or VA plans.

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

Primary care physicians in Charleston, 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

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

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 its neighboring geographies.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Health Care Coverage

9.52%

Uninsured

54.3%

Employer Coverage

8.94%

Medicaid

9.32%

Medicare

15.6%

Non-Group

2.24%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Charleston, SC declined by 9.83% from 10.6% to 9.52%.

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Diversity

Charleston, SC is home to a population of 131k people, from which 98% are citizens. As of 2017, 4.06% of Charleston, SC residents were born outside of the country (5.33k people).

In 2017, there were 3.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (94.6k people) in Charleston, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.7k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 3.1k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Age

Age by Nativity

34

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.4

40

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 3

In 2017, the median age of all people in Charleston, SC was 34.4. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 34, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 40. But people in Charleston, SC are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Charleston, SC residents was 34.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.06%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

5.33k people

4.03%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

5.23k people

As of 2017, 4.06% of Charleston, SC residents (5.33k 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, SC was 4.03%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place 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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Citizenship

98%

2017 Citizenship

97.9%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 98% of Charleston, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Charleston, SC was 97.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Charleston, SC

  1. White (Non-Hispanic)

    94.6k ± 1.44k

  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)

    28.7k ± 1.36k

  3. White (Hispanic)

    3.1k ± 503

In 2017, there were 3.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (94.6k people) in Charleston, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.7k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 3.1k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    2,963 ± 303

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    1,905 ± 353

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    1,559 ± 230

Charleston, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.56 times greater than any other conflict.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Education

In 2017, universities in Charleston, SC awarded 4,872 degrees. The student population of Charleston, SC is skewed towards women, with 8,305 male students and 10,158 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Charleston, SC are White (3,876 and 80.2%), followed by Black or African American (366 and 7.58%), Hispanic or Latino (210 and 4.35%), and Two or More Races (143 and 2.96%).

The largest universities in Charleston, SC by number of degrees awarded are College of Charleston (2,574 and 52.8%), Medical University of South Carolina (1,051 and 21.6%), and Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1,033 and 21.2%).

The most popular majors in Charleston, SC are General Business Administration & Management (575 and 11.8%), General Biological Sciences (210 and 4.31%), and General Psychology (202 and 4.15%).

The median tuition costs in Charleston, SC are $N/A 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. Registered Nursing

    202 degrees awarded

  2. General Business Administration & Management

    438 degrees awarded

  3. General Biological Sciences

    205 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Charleston, SC was Registered Nursing with 202 degrees awarded.

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. College of Charleston

    2,574 degrees awarded

  2. Medical University of South Carolina

    1,051 degrees awarded

  3. Citadel Military College of South Carolina

    1,033 degrees awarded

$75

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2017, the Charleston, SC institution with the largest number of graduating students was College of Charleston with 2,574 degrees awarded.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart
View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Student Gender for Common Institutions

2,066

Degrees Awarded to Men

2,806

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 2,066 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Charleston, SC, which is 0.736 times less than the 2,806 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    3,876 degrees awarded

  2. Black or African American

    366 degrees awarded

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    210 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Charleston, SC were to White students. These 3,876 degrees mean that there were 10.6 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 366 degrees awarded.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Housing & Living

The median property value in Charleston, SC was $286,200 in 2017, which is 1.25 times larger than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $269,400 to $286,200, a 6.24% increase. The homeownership rate in Charleston, SC is 54.4%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Charleston, SC have an average commute time of 20.7 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Charleston, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$286,200

2017 Median

± $5,893

$269,400

2016 Median

± $5,578

In 2017, the median property value in Charleston, SC grew to to $286,200 from the previous year's value of $269,400.

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart
View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Household Income

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

$61,367

Median Household Income

± $1,631

53.8k

Number of Households

± 1,620

In 2017, the median household income of the 53.8k households in Charleston, SC grew to $61,367 from the previous year's value of $57,603.

The following chart displays the households in 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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Rent vs Own

54.4%

2017 Homeownership

53.5%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 54.4% of the housing units in Charleston, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 53.5%.

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Commute Time

20.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Charleston, SC have a shorter commute time (20.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 1.17% of the workforce in Charleston, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart
View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    76.6%

  2. Worked At Home

    6.4%

  3. Carpooled

    6.01%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Charleston, SC was Drove Alone (76.6%), followed by those who Worked At Home (6.4%) and those who Carpooled (6.01%).

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.

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

View Data
Save Image
Add Data to Cart