Charleston, South Carolina Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates

The population of Charleston, South Carolina is 152,014 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 1st-largest city in South Carolina. The median household income is $90,038, the median home value is $469,100, and the median age is 36.1.

The population has grown 30.6% since 2010 (120,700 → 157,665).

152,014

Population

1319

People / sq mi

$90,038

Median Income

$469,100

Median Home Value

Charleston covers 115.2 sq mi of land at 1319 people per square mile.

About Charleston, SC

Charleston is a city in South Carolina with a population of 152,014. It ranks #1 among cities in South Carolina by population. The median age is 36.1, younger than the national median. The population is 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

The median household income in Charleston is $90,038, above the US median of $74,580. 6.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $469,100, with monthly rent averaging $1,632. The homeownership rate of 55.6% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Charleston reflects 57.7% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 17.6% of workers primarily work from home, noticeably above the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 23.8 minutes each way.

Charleston city Population History (2010-2024)

The city of Charleston city had a population of 120,700 in 2010 and 157,665 in 2024, a 30.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 157,665 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.95%.

157,665

Population (2024)

120,700

Population (2010)

157,665

Peak (2024)

1.95%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	120,700	-	-	estimate
2011	123,012	+2,312	+1.92%	estimate
2012	125,223	+2,211	+1.80%	estimate
2013	127,246	+2,023	+1.62%	estimate
2014	129,434	+2,188	+1.72%	estimate
2015	132,413	+2,979	+2.30%	estimate
2016	134,453	+2,040	+1.54%	estimate
2017	135,626	+1,173	+0.87%	estimate
2018	136,111	+485	+0.36%	estimate
2019	137,566	+1,455	+1.07%	estimate
2020	151,065	+13,499	+9.81%	estimate
2021	152,116	+1,051	+0.70%	estimate
2022	154,291	+2,175	+1.43%	estimate
2023	156,263	+1,972	+1.28%	estimate
2024	157,665	+1,402	+0.90%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	72.9%
Black or African American	17.4%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.2%
Two or More Races	0.1%

Economy & Income

$90,038

Median Household Income

$58,583

Per Capita Income

6.3%

Poverty Rate

2.3%

Unemployment Rate

Housing

$469,100

Median Home Value

$1,632

Median Rent

55.6%

Owner-Occupied

Education

95.9%

High School+

57.7%

Bachelor's+

Commute

0.9%

Drive Alone

68.1%

Public Transit

17.6%

Work From Home

23.8 min

Avg Commute

Community Profile

51.7%

Foreign Born

92.8%

Non-English at Home

6.8%

Veterans

9.7%

With Disability

93.6%

Health Insurance

96.9%

Internet Access

Employment by Industry

Professional, Scientific & Management	24.1%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate	17.8%
Education, Health Care & Social Services	12.0%
Information	7.8%
Manufacturing	6.4%
Construction	5.6%
Public Administration	4.7%
Arts, Entertainment & Food Services	4.6%
Retail Trade	3.6%
Transportation & Warehousing	2.0%
Agriculture & Mining	0.2%

Largest cities in South Carolina

Columbia (138,019)North Charleston (117,460)Mount Pleasant (92,662)Rock Hill (74,769)Greenville (71,755)Summerville (51,262)Goose Creek (46,964)Sumter (43,065)Florence (40,205)Greer (39,191)View all South Carolina cities →

Largest counties in South Carolina

Greenville County (537,575)Richland County (418,725)Charleston County (414,711)Horry County (368,937)Spartanburg County (338,096)

Part of South Carolina

South Carolina demographic profile All South Carolina data →

Metro areas in South Carolina

Charlotte (2,712,818)Greenville (945,301)Columbia (839,868)Charleston (817,756)Augusta (618,022)Myrtle Beach (368,937)Spartanburg (365,086)Hilton Head Island (222,781)All US metros →

City rankings

US Cities by Population Cities With Highest Median Income Expensive US Cities by Home Value Youngest US Cities by Median Age Racially Diverse US Cities Cities With Highest Rent Educated US Cities Cities With Highest Work From Home Rates Cheapest US Cities by Median Home Value Cities With Lowest Rent All rankings →

Common questions about Charleston, SC

What is the population of Charleston city, SC?What is the median household income in Charleston city, SC?What is the median home value in Charleston city, SC?What are the demographics of Charleston city, SC?What is the cost of living in Charleston city, SC?Is Charleston city, SC growing?

Frequently Asked Questions

Charleston, South Carolina has a population of 152,014 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 1st-largest city in South Carolina.

The median household income in Charleston, South Carolina is $90,038, with 6.3% of residents living below the federal poverty level.

The median home value in Charleston, South Carolina is $469,100, with median monthly rent at $1,632 and a homeownership rate of 55.6%.

The median age in Charleston, South Carolina is 36.1 years. The population is 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

The population has grown 30.6% since 2010 (120,700 → 157,665).