Dorchester County, SC

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Population

151,716

2.15% growth

Median Age

36.2


Median Household Income

$58,685

4.15% growth

Poverty Rate

11.8%


Number of Employees

70,522

2.38% growth

Median Property Value

$177,500

4.6% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Dorchester County, SC had a population of 152k people with a median age of 36.2 and a median household income of $58,685. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Dorchester County, SC grew from 148,517 to 151,716, a 2.15% increase and its median household income grew from $56,345 to $58,685, a 4.15% increase.

The population of Dorchester County, SC is 64.6% White Alone, 25.3% Black or African American Alone, and 5.04% Hispanic or Latino. N/A% of the people in Dorchester County, SC speak a non-English language, and 97.9% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Dorchester County, SC are Charleston Cosmetology Institute (58 degrees awarded in 2017).

The median property value in Dorchester County, SC is $177,500, and the homeownership rate is 71.1%. Most people in Dorchester County, SC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 27.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Dorchester 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.

Photo by North Charleston

United StatesSouth CarolinaCharleston-North Charleston, SC

Economy

The economy of Dorchester County, SC employs 70.5k people. The largest industries in Dorchester County, SC are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,342 people), Manufacturing (8,923 people), and Retail Trade (8,922 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($69,621), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($58,444), and Manufacturing ($51,741).

Median household income in Dorchester County, SC is $58,685. Males in Dorchester 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 Dorchester County, SC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.46, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$58,685

2017 value

± $1,583

4.15%

1 Year Growth

± 3.5%

Households in Dorchester County, SC have a median annual income of $58,685, 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 $56,345 in 2016, which represents a 4.15% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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 108.19

  2. Census Tract 108.01

  3. Census Tract 108.07

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Dorchester County, SC was Census Tract 108.19 with a value of $85,563, followed by Census Tract 108.01 and Census Tract 108.07, with respective values of $84,333 and $77,885.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Dorchester 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

11.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Dorchester County, SC (17.6k out of 149k 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 35 - 44 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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. Black

    8,277 ± 831

  2. White

    7,800 ± 690

  3. Hispanic

    1,240 ± 289

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Dorchester 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

70.5k

2017 Value

± 2,065

2.38%

1 Year growth

± 4.06%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Dorchester County, SC grew at a rate of 2.38%, from 68.9k employees to 70.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Dorchester County, SC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,704 people), Sales & Related Occupations (8,450 people), and Management Occupations (6,807 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Dorchester County, SC.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Dorchester County, SC, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,704 people), Sales & Related Occupations (8,450 people), and Management Occupations (6,807 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Dorchester County, SC has an unusually high number of residents working as Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.61 times higher than expected), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (1.52 times), and Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.31 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Dorchester County, SC, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($72,589), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($69,662), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($67,416).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

70.5k

2017 Value

± 2,065

2.38%

1 Year growth

± 4.06%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Dorchester County, SC grew at a rate of 2.38%, from 68.9k employees to 70.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Dorchester County, SC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,342 people), Manufacturing (8,923 people), and Retail Trade (8,922 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Dorchester County, SC, though some of these residents may live in Dorchester 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 Dorchester County, SC, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,342 people), Manufacturing (8,923 people), and Retail Trade (8,922 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Dorchester County, SC has an unusually high number of Public Administration (1.46 times higher than expected), Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (1.26 times), and Manufacturing (1.25 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Dorchester County, SC, by median earnings, are Utilities ($69,621), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($58,444), and Manufacturing ($51,741).

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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

89.3% of the population of Dorchester County, SC has health coverage, with 47% on employee plans, 13.2% on Medicaid, 8.21% on Medicare, 15.7% on non-group plans, and 5.19% on military or VA plans.

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

Primary care physicians in Dorchester County, SC see 2500 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.05% increase from the previous year (2474 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1671 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 822 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

2,500 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Dorchester County, SC see an average of 2,500 patients per year. This represents a 1.05% increase from the previous year (2,474 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Dorchester 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

10.7%

Uninsured

47%

Employer Coverage

13.2%

Medicaid

8.21%

Medicare

15.7%

Non-Group

5.19%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Dorchester County, SC declined by 7.6% from 11.6% to 10.7%.

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

Dorchester County, SC is home to a population of 152k people, from which 97.9% are citizens. As of 2017, 4.66% of Dorchester County, SC residents were born outside of the country (7.07k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Dorchester County, SC is composed of 98k White Alone residents (64.6%), 38.4k Black or African American Alone residents (25.3%), 7.65k Hispanic or Latino residents (5.04%), 3.56k Two or More Races residents (2.35%), 2.92k Asian Alone residents (1.92%), 679 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.448%), 438 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.289%), and 24 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0158%).

Age

Age by Nativity

36

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

43

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2.6

In 2017, the median age of all people in Dorchester County, SC was 36.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 36, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 43. But people in Dorchester County, SC are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Dorchester County, SC residents was 36.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.66%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

7.07k people

4.72%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

7.01k people

As of 2017, 4.66% of Dorchester County, SC residents (7.07k 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 Dorchester County, SC was 4.72%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

97.9%

2017 Citizenship

98%

2016 Citizenship

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

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    98k ± 389

  2. Black or African American Alone

    38.4k ± 586

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    7.65k ± 935

In 2017, there were 2.55 times more White Alone residents (98k people) in Dorchester County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 38.4k Black or African American Alone and 7.65k 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 Dorchester County, SC as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    4,311 ± 425

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    4,180 ± 500

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    3,062 ± 402

Dorchester County, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.03 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Dorchester County, SC awarded 58 degrees. The student population of Dorchester County, SC is skewed towards women, with 2 male students and 162 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Dorchester County, SC are White (28 and 48.3%), followed by Black or African American (21 and 36.2%), Asian (3 and 5.17%), and Hispanic or Latino (3 and 5.17%).

The largest universities in Dorchester County, SC by number of degrees awarded are Charleston Cosmetology Institute (58 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Dorchester County, SC are Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist (22 and 37.9%), General Cosmetology (21 and 36.2%), and Nail Specialist & Manicurist (15 and 25.9%).

The median tuition costs in Dorchester 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. Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor

    0 degrees awarded

  2. Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist

    22 degrees awarded

  3. Nail Specialist & Manicurist

    15 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for < 1 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Dorchester County, SC was Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor with 0 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Charleston Cosmetology Institute

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

58 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2017, the Dorchester County, SC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Charleston Cosmetology Institute with 58 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

1

Degrees Awarded to Men

57

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 1 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Dorchester County, SC, which is 0.0175 times less than the 57 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Dorchester 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

    21 degrees awarded

  3. Asian

    3 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Dorchester County, SC were to White students. These 28 degrees mean that there were 1.33 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 21 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Dorchester County, SC was $177,500 in 2017, which is 0.773 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $169,700 to $177,500, a 4.6% increase. The homeownership rate in Dorchester County, SC is 71.1%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Dorchester County, SC have an average commute time of 27.6 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Dorchester County, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$177,500

2017 Median

± $4,048

$169,700

2016 Median

± $3,090

In 2017, the median property value in Dorchester County, SC grew to to $177,500 from the previous year's value of $169,700.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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.

$58,685

Median Household Income

± $1,583

54k

Number of Households

± 1,675

In 2017, the median household income of the 54k households in Dorchester County, SC grew to $58,685 from the previous year's value of $56,345.

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

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Rent vs Own

71.1%

2017 Homeownership

69.7%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 71.1% of the housing units in Dorchester County, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69.7%.

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

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Commute Time

27.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Dorchester County, SC have a longer commute time (27.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 2.03% of the workforce in Dorchester County, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Dorchester 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

    85.4%

  2. Carpooled

    7.9%

  3. Worked At Home

    4.19%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Dorchester County, SC was Drove Alone (85.4%), followed by those who Carpooled (7.9%) and those who Worked At Home (4.19%).

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 Dorchester County, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Dorchester County, SC have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

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