Charleston County, South Carolina Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 3rd-largest in South Carolina

The population of Charleston County, South Carolina is 414,711 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 3rd-largest county in South Carolina. The median household income is $84,320, the median home value is $450,800, and the median age is 39.0.

The population of Charleston County has grown 22.8% since 2010 (350,998 → 431,001), a +1.48% annualized rate.

Charleston County within South Carolina · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

414,711

Population

+1.48%

Annual growth

452

People / sq mi

$84,320

Median Income

$450,800

Median Home Value

Charleston County covers 918 sq mi of land at 451.7 people per square mile.

About Charleston County, SC

Charleston County is a county in South Carolina with a population of 414,711. It ranks #3 among counties in South Carolina by population. The median age is 39.0, in line with the national median. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

The median household income in Charleston County is $84,320, above the US median of $74,580. 7.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $450,800, with monthly rent averaging $1,506. The homeownership rate of 63.5% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Charleston County reflects 49.0% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 15.6% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 24.9 minutes each way.

Charleston County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Charleston County had a population of 350,998 in 2010 and 431,001 in 2024, a 22.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 431,001 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.48%.

431,001

Population (2024)

350,998

Population (2010)

431,001

Peak (2024)

1.48%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	350,998	-	-	estimate
2011	357,461	+6,463	+1.84%	estimate
2012	364,913	+7,452	+2.08%	estimate
2013	372,065	+7,152	+1.96%	estimate
2014	380,239	+8,174	+2.20%	estimate
2015	389,885	+9,646	+2.54%	estimate
2016	397,433	+7,548	+1.94%	estimate
2017	402,725	+5,292	+1.33%	estimate
2018	406,959	+4,234	+1.05%	estimate
2019	412,615	+5,656	+1.39%	estimate
2020	409,958	-2,657	-0.64%	estimate
2021	414,605	+4,647	+1.13%	estimate
2022	419,952	+5,347	+1.29%	estimate
2023	425,805	+5,853	+1.39%	estimate
2024	431,001	+5,196	+1.22%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	66.2%
Black or African American	23.8%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.2%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

39.0

Median Age

51.5%

Female

48.5%

Male

17.4%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.7%

5–9

5.3%

10–14

5.5%

15–19

5.5%

20–24

5.9%

25–34

15.8%

35–44

14.3%

45–54

11.7%

55–59

6.3%

60–64

6.6%

65–74

10.8%

75–84

4.7%

85+

1.9%

Children (under 15): 16.5% · Seniors (65+): 17.4%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$84,320+$17,502 vs state
Mean household income	$126,878
Per-capita income	$54,769
Poverty rate	7.2%-2.9% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.3%
Employment-to-population	62.6%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

22.3%

Finance & real estate

16.6%

Education & health care

11.5%

Information

7.5%

Manufacturing

7.2%

Construction

7.0%

Public administration

4.6%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.6%

The largest employment sector in Charleston County is professional & business services, accounting for 22.3% of workers.

How residents commute

1.0%

Drive alone

2.0%

Carpool

71.8%

Public transit

15.6%

Work from home

24.9 min

Avg commute

Housing

$450,800+$214,100 vs state

Median home value

$1,506

Median rent

63.5%

Homeownership rate

206,299

Total housing units

85.1%

Occupied

14.9%

Vacant

36.5%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

91.1%

With health insurance

95.9%

With broadband internet

46.4%

Foreign-born

8.4%

Veterans (18+)

10.9%

With a disability

91.2%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

92.9%

High School+

49.0%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in South Carolina

Charleston (152,014)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)All South Carolina cities →

Other counties in South Carolina

Greenville County (537,575)Richland County (418,725)Horry County (368,937)Spartanburg County (338,096)Lexington County (300,370)York County (288,559)Berkeley County (238,723)Anderson County (207,218)Beaufort County (192,123)Aiken County (171,949)All South Carolina counties →

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 →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Common questions about Charleston County, SC

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Charleston County, South Carolina has a population of 414,711 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 3rd-largest county in South Carolina. Population density is 452 people per square mile.

The population of Charleston County has grown 22.8% since 2010 (350,998 → 431,001), a +1.48% annualized rate.

The median household income in Charleston County, South Carolina is $84,320, with mean (average) household income of $126,878 and per-capita income of $54,769. 7.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Charleston County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (66.2%), Black or African American (23.8%), Hispanic or Latino (1.2%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Charleston County, South Carolina is 39.0 years. Residents are 51.5% female and 48.5% male.

The median home value in Charleston County is $450,800 and median monthly rent is $1,506. 63.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 206,299 total housing units, 14.9% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Charleston County, South Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 22.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.3%.

Charleston is among the largest cities associated with Charleston County, South Carolina, with a population of 152,014.