Charleston

South Carolina

Charleston County

29401

Charleston · Overview

154,338Population

Median Income: $92,414
Median Home Value: $509,700
Median Age: 36.6years

Poverty Rate

12.30%

Unemployment

3.40%

College Educated

58.30%

Businesses

Location & Nearby Areas

Nearby Zip Codes

Within 15 miles

View Explorer

Search Interest Over Time

Based on Google Trends data for "Charleston"

Race & Ethnicity

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$92,414

Mean Household Income

$132,092

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

47.7%

Female

52.3%

Population Split

Male47.7%

Female52.3%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English14.9%

German12.5%

Irish12.2%

Italian5.1%

Scottish2.8%

Mexican2.8%

French2.7%

Polish2.3%

African0.8%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

6.0%Foreign Born

94.0%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized49.1%

Non-Citizen50.9%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later48.9%

Before 201051.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

77,417

Median Rent

$1,722/mo

Median Home Value

$509,700

Median Year Built

1995

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

35,466

College Enrollment

32.1%

High School

17.1%

College Educated

58.3%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

24.2 min

Drive Alone Rate

66.2%

Public Transit

0.7%

Work From Home

19.4%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

17.3%

18-34 Years

30.2%

35-64 Years

36.1%

65+ Years

16.4%

Population Composition

Under 1817.3%

18-3430.2%

35-6436.1%

65+16.4%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

40.5%

Single Parent

4.4%

Living Alone

34.7%

Avg Size

2.18

Household Types

Married Couples40.5%

Single Parent4.4%

Living Alone34.7%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$59,875

SNAP Usage

5.7%

Health Insurance

94.0%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k14.1%

$25k - $50k12.9%

$50k - $100k26.4%

$100k+46.6%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

6.5%

Retail Trade

9.4%

Education & Health Care

23.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

9.8%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.0%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

92.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

97.5%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

101.0

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

102.6

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

State Comparison

Financial Comparison

Social Indicators

Key Metrics Overview

Median Income

Location$92,414

Statewide$69,324

Home Value

Location$509,700

Statewide$259,000