Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metro Area

Charleston-North Charleston, SC · Metro Area

834,267Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $85,254
Median home value: $377,500
Land area: 2,589 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Charleston County, SC	Central	420,264	$88,494	$489,100
Berkeley County, SC	Central	246,802	$84,358	$310,300
Dorchester County, SC	Central	167,201	$78,198	$329,300

Largest cities and towns

32 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Charleston, SC	City	154,338	$92,414
North Charleston, SC	City	119,913	$62,956
Mount Pleasant, SC	Town	93,993	$124,755
Summerville, SC	Town	51,654	$81,046
Goose Creek, SC	City	48,078	$88,178
Hanahan, SC	City	21,452	$87,984
Ladson, SC	CDP	16,140	$78,760
Moncks Corner, SC	Town	15,485	$91,500
James Island, SC	Town	12,198	$104,217
Sangaree, SC	CDP	8,681	$77,673
Hollywood, SC	Town	5,382	$73,693
Isle of Palms, SC	City	4,362	$156,979
Ravenel, SC	Town	2,615	$82,738
Kiawah Island, SC	Town	2,326	$213,594
Seabrook Island, SC	Town	2,204	$127,500
St. George, SC	Town	2,154	$33,125
Sullivan's Island, SC	Town	2,087	$192,813
Awendaw, SC	Town	1,772	$77,010
Ridgeville, SC	Town	1,740	$55,637
Bonneau Beach, SC	CDP	1,516	$60,865
St. Stephen, SC	Town	1,462	$65,370
Meggett, SC	Town	1,307	$97,865
Folly Beach, SC	City	1,267	$102,279
Lincolnville, SC	Town	1,064	$40,417
Pinopolis, SC	CDP	854	$122,530

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Unemployment

3.7%

College Educated

40.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$85,254

Mean Household Income

$118,282

Income Distribution

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

Sex Distribution

Male

48.9%

Female

51.1%

Population Split

Male48.9%

Female51.1%

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

English13.5%

German10.5%

Irish9.9%

Italian4.2%

Mexican3.4%

Scottish2.4%

French2.1%

Polish1.9%

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

6.5%Foreign Born

93.5%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized45.2%

Non-Citizen54.8%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later43.2%

Before 201056.8%

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

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

378,268

Median Rent

$1,605/mo

Median Home Value

$377,500

Median Year Built

1996

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

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

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

186,527

College Enrollment

18.1%

High School

21.9%

College Educated

40.8%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

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

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

27.7 min

Drive Alone Rate

72.9%

Public Transit

0.6%

Work From Home

14.9%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

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

Age Distribution

Under 18

21.6%

18-34 Years

23.3%

35-64 Years

38.7%

65+ Years

16.4%

Population Composition

Under 1821.6%

18-3423.3%

35-6438.7%

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

47.3%

Single Parent

6.0%

Living Alone

29.3%

Avg Size

2.44

Household Types

Married Couples47.3%

Single Parent6.0%

Living Alone29.3%

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

$48,581

SNAP Usage

7.1%

Health Insurance

91.1%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k12.8%

$25k - $50k15.5%

$50k - $100k29.4%

$100k+42.3%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

9.6%

Retail Trade

10.5%

Education & Health Care

21.1%

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

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

12.4%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

91.1%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

89.7%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.2%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

112.8

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)

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