Charleston, SC — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Berkeley County · South Carolina
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Charleston based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
152,014
2023 ACS
Median Income
$90,038
2023
Median Home Value
$469,100
2023
Median Rent
$1,632
2023
Median Age
36.1
Unemployment
3.4%
Cost of Living Index
150.6
100 = national avg
Charleston is a city in Berkeley County, South Carolina, with a population of 152,014 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Charleston is one of the communities in South Carolina.
The median household income in Charleston is $90,038, and the median home value is $469,100. The cost of living index is 150.6 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $1,632 per month. The unemployment rate is 3.4%, and the median age is 36.1 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
152,014
Male
72,280
47.5%
Female
79,734
52.5%
Median Age
36.1
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
40.7%
High School or Higher
51.6%
Foreign Born
5.4%
Veterans
5.6%
Married
39.2%
Avg Household Size
2.2
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.432
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
White
72.9%
Foreign Born
5.4%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
5.9%
8,954 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
94.1%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Asian Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
144,279
English Only
92.8%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
5,208 speakers
Limited English
2.1%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
97.9%
Limited English Proficiency
2.1%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
8,480
5.6% of population
Disability Rate
23.1%
1,960 with disability
Veteran Median Income
$59,079
Unemployment Rate
1.6%
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
7,821
92.2%
Female Veterans
659
7.8%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$59,079
Non-Veteran Income
$48,925
Difference
$10,154
20.8% higher
Disability Status
With Disability
1,960
Without Disability
6,520
Disability Rate
23.1%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
112,473
#1 Ancestry
English
13.6% (20,691)
#2 Ancestry
American
13.0% (19,826)
#3 Ancestry
German
11.7% (17,824)
Top 20 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
66,408
Family Households
34,298
51.6%
Married Couples
27,291
41.1%
Non-Family Households
32,110
48.4%
Single Mother Households
5,347
8.1%
Single Father Households
1,660
2.5%
Living Alone
22,906
34.5%
Children Under 18
Total Children
24,357
In Married Couple
18,344
75.3%
With Single Mother
4,776
19.6%
With Single Father
1,237
5.1%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$125,480
Married Couple Income
$142,715
Single Mother Income
$53,807
Single Father Income
$64,503
Avg Family Size
2.2
Avg Non-Family Size
2.0
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
1,516
Grandparents Responsible
562
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$90,038
+23% vs national
Per Capita Income
$58,583
+58% vs national
Poverty Rate
12.0%
-12% vs national
Gini Index
0.4965
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
3.4%
-34% vs national
SNAP Recipients
5.2%
of households
How Charleston Compares
Charleston vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with 100,000 - 250,000 residents. Charleston is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Charleston, SC has a median household income of $90,038, making it the 6,511th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Charleston has a higher median household income than 77% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Charleston, SC has a per capita income of $58,583, making it the 2,804th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Charleston has a higher per capita income than 90% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Charleston, SC has a poverty rate of 12.0%, making it the 14,274th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Charleston has a higher poverty rate than 54% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Charleston, SC has a unemployment rate of 3.4%, making it the 16,384th highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Charleston has a higher unemployment rate than 47% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Charleston. The median household income here is $90,038.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
-44% vs SC avg
Labor Force
87,105
Employed
82,809
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
40.7%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
51.6%
of adults 25+
Median Age
36.1
Work from Home
17.6%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area
Highest-Paying Job
General and Operations Managers
Top Median Wage
$101.9K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
150.6
100 = national avg
+50.6 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$66,271
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$156,641
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$1,630
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,787
per month
The median household income in Charleston, SC is $90,038, which is 23.0% above the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $58,583. The poverty rate of 12.0% is lower than the SC state average of 19.1%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4965, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 3.4%, compared to the state average of 6.1%. The labor force is 87,105. 40.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. About 68.1% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 150.6, which is 50.6% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 191.5. A single adult needs to earn approximately $66,271 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin — January 2026
Median Sale Price
$675,000
Median List Price
$724,999
Price Per Sq Ft
$370
Days on Market
93
Active Inventory
997
Months of Supply
4.8
Balanced market
Zillow Home Value
$575,699
ZHVI — January 2026
Zillow Rent Index
$2,112
ZORI — January 2026
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
8.7%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
29.8%
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.1%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
207
New Listings
321
Pending Sales
315
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$370
Median List $/SF
$383
House Price IndexFHFA
How much have housing prices increased in Charleston, SC? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, home prices have risen 737.3% over the past 40 years. Over 20 years, prices grew 152.2%. The 10-year growth rate is 129.8%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 69.1%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 8.4%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader Charleston-North Charleston, SC housing market rather than Charleston alone.
Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Charleston vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with 100,000 - 250,000 residents. Charleston is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Charleston, SC has a median home value of $469,100, making it the 3,358th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Charleston has a higher median home value than 88% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
Charleston, SC has a median rent of $1,632, making it the 3,359th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that Charleston has a higher median rent than 85% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
Charleston, SC has a price per square foot of $370, making it the 2,299th highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that Charleston has a higher price per square foot than 89% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
Charleston, SC has a rent burden of 21.8%, making it the 6,530th highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that Charleston has a higher rent burden than 70% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$469,100
Median Rent
$1,632
Total Housing Units
75,826
Vacancy Rate
12.4%
Owner Occupied
55.6%
Renter Occupied
44.4%
Median Property Tax
$2,144
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$1,772
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$2,144
per year
Effective Tax Rate
0.46%
of home value
Median Home Value
$469,100
Estimated Mean Tax
$3,452
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($2,144) by the median home value ($469,100). In Charleston, SC, this works out to an effective rate of 0.46%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in Charleston, SC is $675,000 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 93 days on the market. 8.7% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 4.8 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $370. Zillow's observed rent index is $2,112/month. About 55.6% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1994. There are 75,826 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $2,144. The effective tax rate is 0.46%, below the national average.
Crime Overview
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)Violent Crime Rate
3.58
per 1,000 residents
+38% vs national
Property Crime Rate
20.22
per 1,000 residents
+18% vs national
Total Crimes
3,733
2024
Violent Clearance
64%
cases solved
Property Clearance
23%
cases solved
YoY Change
-11.7%
violent crime rate
improving vs 2023
How Charleston Compares
Source: FBI (2024)Charleston vs Similar Cities
Source: FBI (2024)Compared to cities with 100,000 - 250,000 residents. Charleston is highlighted in green.
Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Murder Rate (per 1,000)
Crime Rate Trends
Source: FBICrime Composition
Source: FBI (2024)Violent Crime Breakdown
Property Crime Breakdown
Crime Clearance (Solve) Rates
Source: FBI (2024)Charleston police solve 114% of murder cases but only 14% of rape cases.
Weapon Used in Violent Crime
Source: FBI (2024)Crime Breakdown
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)| Crime Type | Category | Count | Rate per 1K | Clearance % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | Violent | 7 | 0.04 | 114.3% |
| Rape | Violent | 44 | 0.28 | 13.6% |
| Robbery | Violent | 67 | 0.43 | 77.6% |
| Aggravated Assault | Violent | 443 | 2.82 | 65.9% |
| Burglary | Property | 219 | 1.40 | 36.1% |
| Larceny/Theft | Property | 2,599 | 16.56 | 22.7% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | Property | 354 | 2.26 | 20.1% |
Charleston, SC reported 561 violent crimes and 3,172 property crimes in 2024. The violent crime rate of 3.58 per 1,000 residents is 37.5% above the national average of 2.60 per 1,000. Law enforcement cleared 64% of violent crimes. Larceny/theft accounts for 2,599 of the property crime reports. Firearms were involved in 49.9% of aggravated assaults. Violent crime has been trending downward.
Crime History
Source: FBI| Year | Violent | Property | Violent Rate | Property Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 561 | 3,172 | 3.58 | 20.22 |
| 2023 | 628 | 3,068 | 4.05 | 19.77 |
| 2022 | 574 | 2,882 | 3.77 | 18.92 |
| 2021 | 625 | 3,178 | 4.41 | 22.42 |
| 2020 | 657 | 3,232 | 4.71 | 23.15 |
| 2019 | 516 | 3,124 | 3.73 | 22.60 |
| 2018 | 414 | 2,854 | 3.02 | 20.82 |
| 2017 | 387 | 3,144 | 2.83 | 22.97 |
| 2016 | 411 | 3,360 | 3.04 | 24.86 |
| 2015 | 342 | 3,248 | 2.58 | 24.50 |
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
98.6
Relatively High
Expected Annual Loss
99.0
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
22.4
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
96.1
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
29
Public Assistance
$66.3M
Individual Assistance
$12.0M
Most Common Type
Hurricane
17 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm → | Winter Storm | Jan 2026 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Debby → | Tropical Storm | Sep 2024 | $1.6M | — |
| Hurricane Helene → | Hurricane | Sep 2024 | $1.3M | — |
| Hurricane Debby → | Tropical Storm | Aug 2024 | — | — |
| Hurricane Idalia → | Hurricane | Aug 2023 | $189K | — |
| Hurricane Ian → | Hurricane | Nov 2022 | $5.9M | $512K |
| Hurricane Ian → | Hurricane | Sep 2022 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-l… → | Severe Storm | May 2020 | $523K | $5K |
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | $4.5M | $5.8M |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Dorian → | Hurricane | Sep 2019 | $5.3M | — |
| Hurricane Dorian → | Hurricane | Sep 2019 | — | — |
| Hurricane Florence → | Hurricane | Sep 2018 | $8.9M | — |
| Hurricane Florence → | Hurricane | Sep 2018 | — | — |
| Hurricane Irma → | Hurricane | Oct 2017 | $910K | — |
| Hurricane Irma → | Hurricane | Sep 2017 | — | — |
| Hurricane Matthew → | Hurricane | Oct 2016 | $14.5M | $1.3M |
| Hurricane Matthew → | Hurricane | Oct 2016 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Flood | Oct 2015 | $12.2M | $3.9M |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Oct 2015 | — | — |
Showing 20 of 34 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
618
Total Claims Paid
$8,722,761
Avg Claim Payout
$14,115
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
92
Federal Funding
$32,198,287
Properties Protected
82
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
144.69
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 205.8: Retrofitting Public Structures - Wind | 12 | $4,414,345 |
| 601.1: Generators | 11 | $565,017 |
| 90.4: Mitigation Plan - Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 6 | $187,500 |
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 5 | $2,897,228 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 4 | $93,230 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Charleston has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are coastal flood, hurricane, earthquake. The area has had 29 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (17 declarations). 618 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $66,327,357 in public assistance recovery funding. $11,972,620 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 92 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
28.7%
7.4pp below the national average
Depression Rate
22.6%
0.9pp below the national average
Diabetes Rate
9.5%
2.4pp below the national average
Uninsured Rate
8.7%
1.9pp below the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
33.5%
Arthritis
22.2%
Cancer (excl. skin)
7.6%
Teeth Lost (65+)
8.5%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
15.1%
14+ days in past month
Depression
22.6%
Loneliness
30.3%
Lack of Support
20.4%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
24.2%
Mobility
10.1%
Cognitive
12.2%
Hearing
5.2%
Vision
3.8%
Self-Care
2.8%
Independent Living
6.5%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
Charleston has an obesity rate of 28.7%, which is 7.4pp below the national average. The depression rate is 22.6%, 0.9pp below the national average. About 8.7% of adults lack health insurance. 77.9% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
4
Avg CMS Rating
4.3 / 5
Nearest Hospital
1.7 mi
Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral...
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health | 1.7 mi | Psychiatric | — | — |
| Musc Medical Center | 3.3 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 3/5 | Yes |
| Roper Hospital | 4.2 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 4/5 | Yes |
| Charleston Va Medical Center | 4.2 mi | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | 5/5 | Yes |
| East Cooper Medical Center | 6.8 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 5/5 | Yes |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
1
Pop. Served
327,422
Violations (5yr)
0
No violations
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| CHARLESTON WATER SYSTEM (SC1010001) | 327,422 | 0 |
Greenhouse Gas Emitters
Source: EPA GHGRP (2023)Facilities Reporting
2
Total CO₂e
936.4K MT
Top Emitter
WestRock Charleston Kraft, LLC
813.5K MT CO₂e
Total CO₂e vs Similar Cities (100,000 - 250,000)
| Facility | Sector | CO₂e (MT) |
|---|---|---|
WestRock Charleston Kraft, LLC Westrock Co | Pulp and Paper | 813,497 |
CHARLESTON COUNTY LANDFILL The Charles County Government | Waste | 122,935 |
Data from EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Includes facilities emitting 25,000+ metric tons CO₂e/year.
There are 1 water system serving the area. 2 industrial facilities report greenhouse gas emissions totaling 936.4K metric tons of CO₂e.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Drive Alone
68.1%
-13% vs national
Public Transit
0.9%
-1% vs national
Work From Home
17.6%
+89% vs national
Carpool
6.5%
Walk / Bike
5.7%
combined
How Charleston's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Traffic Fatalities
Source: NHTSA FARS (2023)Fatalities
23
2023
6-Year Avg
22
fatalities/yr
Pedestrian
7
Nighttime
8
dark conditions
| Year | Crashes | Fatalities | Alcohol | Pedestrian | Cyclist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 23 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 2021 | 21 | 22 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 2020 | 17 | 17 | 3 | 10 | 1 |
| 2019 | 33 | 34 | 16 | 7 | 3 |
| 2018 | 19 | 19 | 6 | 8 | 1 |
Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.
Commute data for Charleston, SC covers travel times and transportation modes. 68.1% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 17.6% work from home, which is above the SC state average of 7.3%. 6.5% of workers carpool. 4.2% walk to work. 1.5% commute by bicycle. In 2023, there were 23 traffic fatalities from 20 fatal crashes. 7 were pedestrians.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
91.1%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
79.9%
of households
No Internet
5.4%
of households
Total Households
66,408
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
96.9%
of households
Smartphone
94.0%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
84.9%
of households
Tablet
67.0%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
14.2¢
per kWh
-17% vs 100,000 - 250,000 avg
Commercial Rate
10.6¢
per kWh
-21% vs 100,000 - 250,000 avg
Industrial Rate
6.8¢
per kWh
-31% vs 100,000 - 250,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$150
residential
+5% vs 100,000 - 250,000 avg
17% below the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in South Carolina averages 14.2¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $150. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Charleston vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (100,000 - 250,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
1
Population Served
327,422
Violations (5yr)
0
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLESTON WATER SYSTEM (SC1010001) | Community | Surface water | 327,422 | 0 |
91.1% of households in Charleston have broadband internet access. 79.9% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 9.3% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 5.4% of households have no internet access. 7.7% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop. The area is served by 1 water system, providing water to 327,422 people. No water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Charleston is located in Berkeley County, SC. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Charleston.
Election Overview
Source: Berkeley County (2024)2024 Winner
Republican
Dem Votes
46,416
41.1%
GOP Votes
64,777
57.4%
Total Votes
112,834
Margin
R+16.3%
Shift from 2020
R+4.6pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 46,416 | 64,777 | 112,834 | 41.1% | 57.4% | R+16.3 |
| 2020 | 45,223 | 57,397 | 104,458 | 43.3% | 54.9% | R+11.7 |
| 2016 | 30,492 | 44,223 | 78,919 | 38.6% | 56.0% | R+17.4 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Berkeley County recorded 112,834 total votes. Republicans won the county with 57.4% of the vote compared to 41.1% for Democrats, a margin of R+16.3%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+4.6pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Berkeley County has shifted 1.1 percentage points toward Democrats.
Public Records Request
Source: pr-charlestonsc.govqa.usSubmit a public records request to Charleston — Uses GovQA portal for online requests. Email found on Zoning Verification Letter Request page..
Source: pr-charlestonsc.govqa.us
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
1,139
Total Assets
$6.8B
Total Income
$3.4B
Per 10K Residents
74.9
nonprofits
+38.5% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
179
Median Assets
$281K
Oldest Active
1936
ruling year
Newest Org
2026
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationTop 10 hold $4.3B of $6.8B total
Nonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 100,000 - 250,000
Largest Nonprofits in Charleston
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFCharleston, SC has 1,139 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $6.8B. The most common category is Education, with 142 organizations. 179 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 74.9 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1936.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
991
Total Approved
$386.9M
Jobs Supported
8,317
Per 10K Residents
65.2
SBA loans
-28.0% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
129
Top Lender
Wells Fargo Bank National Association
114 loans
Top Industry
Accommodation & Food Services
Data Span
1992–2026
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
925
Total Amount
$345.1M
Avg Loan
$373,064
Median Loan
$135,300
SBA Guaranteed
$259.1M(75%)
Jobs Supported
7,341
Loans
66
Total Amount
$41.8M
Avg Loan
$633,788
Median Loan
$416,500
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
214
22% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$135.7M
35% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$633,986
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 100,000 - 250,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIA| Business | Loans | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Msp Hotels Inc. | 2 | $6.4M |
| Flooring Services Llc | 2 | $5.9M |
| Mcalister-smith Funeral Homes Inc. | 2 | $5.0M |
| Scrubz Carwash Inc. | 1 | $5.0M |
| Warrior Sports Holdings Llc | 1 | $5.0M |
| Sumira Llc | 1 | $5.0M |
| Halls Chophouse Ii Llc | 1 | $5.0M |
| Clarion Pointe West Ashley | 1 | $4.9M |
| Stephen Wenger | 2 | $4.9M |
| Charleston Creekside Inn Llc | 1 | $4.6M |
Charleston, SC has received 991 SBA loans totaling $386.9M in approved funding between 1992 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 925 loans (93% of the total), supporting 7,341 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 66 loans totaling $41.8M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Accommodation & Food Services. The most active SBA lender in Charleston is Wells Fargo Bank National Association with 114 loans. That works out to 65.2 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
16
Total Population
337,555
Avg Median Income
-$124,927,707
Avg Home Value
-$166,198,779
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29401 | 9,210 | $90,074 | $1,165,900 | $1,838 | 1.5 |
| 29403 | 22,319 | $65,689 | $624,000 | $1,658 | 5.4 |
| 29404 | 2,217 | $74,821 | N/A | $1,844 | 5.0 |
| 29405 | 26,717 | $54,566 | $266,200 | $1,196 | 14.7 |
| 29406 | 32,482 | $50,640 | $209,700 | $1,305 | 15.3 |
| 29407 | 36,640 | $80,568 | $407,300 | $1,388 | 15.4 |
| 29409 | 2,328 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.1 |
| 29410 | 20,984 | $84,061 | $339,800 | $1,324 | 10.4 |
| 29412 | 40,495 | $99,443 | $458,000 | $1,744 | 39.2 |
| 29414 | 43,717 | $91,976 | $380,600 | $1,639 | 49.0 |
| 29418 | 25,589 | $62,421 | $234,500 | $1,277 | 13.2 |
| 29424 | 1,219 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.0 |
| 29425 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.1 |
| 29464 | 51,758 | $107,215 | $672,400 | $1,973 | 30.1 |
| 29482 | 2,127 | $179,614 | $2,000,001 | $2,402 | 2.5 |
| 29492 | 19,753 | $115,605 | $727,800 | $1,924 | 52.8 |
Charleston, SC has 16 ZIP codes with a combined population of 337,555. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is -$124,927,707. The average median home value is -$166,198,779. The average median monthly rent is -$124,998,655.
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