Charleston, SC
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around Charleston to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in Charleston, South Carolina

Life in Charleston research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Charleston over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Here's a snapshot of Charleston based on the most recently available data.

154,338 Population
$589,607 Median home value
$92,414 Median income
121 Cost of living +21% vs US
$1,722 Median rent
3.4% Unemployment
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Charleston SnackAbility

8
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 8.5/10
Housing 9/10
Affordability 5/10
Diversity 8.5/10
Safety 5/10
Amenities 8.5/10
Education 9/10
Commute 8/10

Crime in Charleston summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Charleston. Key points include:

  • There were 3,733 total crimes in Charleston in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Charleston is 2,379.3 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Charleston is 357.6 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Charleston is 2,021.7 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Charleston is 12.27% above the national average.

3,733
Total Crimes
12.27%
Above National Average
Charleston
US

Crime In Charleston Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Charleston
/ 100k People
South Carolina
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 3,733 2,379.3 2,402.5 2,119.2
Violent Crime 561 357.6 436.7 359.0
Murder 7 4.5 7.5 5.0
Robbery 67 42.7 35.1 61.0
Aggravated Assault 443 282.3 357.1 256.0
Property Crime 3,172 2,021.7 1,965.8 1,760.0
Burglary 219 139.6 282.4 229.0
Larceny 2,599 1,656.5 1,468.2 1,272.0
Car Theft 354 225.6 215.1 259.0
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Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

Cost of living in Charleston summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Charleston. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around South Carolina. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Charleston is 121 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Charleston is 1.2x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in Charleston is $589,607.

  • The median income in Charleston is $92,414.

121
Charleston's Overall Cost Of Living
1.2x
Higher Than The National Average
Charleston
US

Cost Of Living In Charleston Comparison Table

Living Expense Charleston South Carolina National Average
Overall 121 92 100
Services 98 97 100
Groceries 101 96 100
Health 175 82 100
Housing 94 101 100
Transportation 101 101 100
Utilities 104 97 100
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Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 100

Charleston, SC Weather

  • The average high in Charleston is 74.8° and the average low is 56.5°.

  • There are 72.4 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 47.4 inches of precipitation each year with 0.3 inches of snow.

StatCharleston
Average Annual High74.8
Average Annual Low56.5
Annual Precipitation Days72.4
Average Annual Precipitation47.4
Average Annual Snowfall0.3
74.8°
Average High
72.4
Days of Rain

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

Charleston, SC Photos

Broadstreetcharleston
Source: Wikipedia User Khanrak | CC BY-SA 3.0
Charlestonsc
Source: Public Domain
Pink House Charleston Sc
Source: Wikipedia User Brian Stansberry | CC BY 3.0
Fort Moultrie
Source: Public Domain
Old Slave Mart Museum
Source: Wikipedia User Benjamin Dahlhoff | CC BY 3.0
Charleston Sc
Source: Public Domain
Cannon At The Battery In Charlestonc Sc Img
Source: Wikipedia User Billy Hathorn | CC BY-SA 3.0
Daughters Of The Confederacy Monument In Charlestonc Sc Img
Source: Wikipedia User Billy Hathorn | CC BY-SA 3.0
St
Source: Wikipedia User Cadetgray | CC BY-SA 3.0

3 Reviews & Comments About Charleston

Justin Melton · None
rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

I was born in Spartanburg, raised in Rock Hill and my wife is from Charleston...Rock Hill will always be my home but Charleston is by far the best city in the entire state.

HomeSnacks User · 2018-08-03 19:22:36.322076
rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

I noticed very little crime while I was there, and the education is superb!! From colleges to elementary schools, the education in first rate with lots of real world experience. I Love this place!

What stands out to me is the classic Southern Charm of the place. Everything is peaceful and quiet. And the beauty stands out. The entire city is just beautiful!! The coast is also super nice along with the history of the area.

HomeSnacks User · 2018-09-10 15:16:22.847756
rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

people are not there and very polite. Very clean city with beautiful beaches. i go there at least twice a year.

the beahes are beautiful. The air is very clean and the city is clean. the atmosphere is amazing there. a lot of happy hour and great food to eat

Rankings & Articles For Charleston

Locations Around Charleston

Map Of Charleston, SC

Best Places Around Charleston

1

Mount Pleasant, SC
Population 93,993

$875,092+48% vs Charleston
2

Summerville, SC
Population 51,654

$376,903-36% vs Charleston
3

Sangaree, SC
Population 8,681

$295,630-50% vs Charleston
4

Hanahan, SC
Population 21,452

$404,451-31% vs Charleston
5

Ladson, SC
Population 16,140

$311,204-47% vs Charleston
6

Goose Creek, SC
Population 48,078

$318,055-46% vs Charleston
7

North Charleston, SC
Population 119,913

$309,521-48% vs Charleston

Charleston Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Charleston

The current population in Charleston is 154,338. The population has increased 32.7% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2024 154,338 1.5%
2023 152,014 1.4%
2022 149,960 1.4%
2021 147,928 7.9%
2020 137,041 1.3%
2019 135,257 1.1%
2018 133,762 1.9%
2017 131,204 1.0%
2016 129,888 1.7%
2015 127,694 1.8%
2014 125,458 1.8%
2013 123,267 2.0%
2012 120,903 2.1%
2011 118,401 1.8%
2010 116,347 -

Race / Ethnicity in Charleston

White 71.7% (110,737)
African American 15.8% (24,319)
American Indian 0.1% (133)
Asian 1.9% (2,916)
Hawaiian 0.1% (131)
Other 0.4% (633)
Two Or More 4.0% (6,118)
Hispanic 6.1% (9,351)
See the full breakdown

Charleston is:

  • 71.7% White with 110,737 White residents.

  • 15.8% African American with 24,319 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 133 American Indian residents.

  • 1.9% Asian with 2,916 Asian residents.

  • 0.1% Hawaiian with 131 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.4% Other with 633 Other residents.

  • 4.0% Two Or More with 6,118 Two Or More residents.

  • 6.1% Hispanic with 9,351 Hispanic residents.

Race Charleston SC USA
White 71.7% 61.9% 57.4%
African American 15.8% 24.6% 11.9%
American Indian 0.1% 0.2% 0.5%
Asian 1.9% 1.7% 5.9%
Hawaiian 0.1% 0.0% 0.2%
Other 0.4% 0.5% 0.6%
Two Or More 4.0% 3.7% 4.3%
Hispanic 6.1% 7.4% 19.3%

Gender in Charleston

Female 52.3% (80,658)
Male 47.7% (73,680)
See the full breakdown
  • Charleston is 52.3% female with 80,658 female residents.

  • Charleston is 47.7% male with 73,680 male residents.

Gender Charleston SC USA
Female 52.3% 51.3% 50.5%
Male 47.7% 48.7% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Charleston for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 2.0% (3,086)
9-12th Grade 3.0% (4,630)
High School / GED 15.0% (23,150)
Some College 16.0% (24,694)
Associate's Degree 7.0% (10,803)
Bachelor's Degree 35.0% (54,018)
Master's Degree 14.0% (21,607)
Professional Degree 5.0% (7,716)
Doctorate Degree 3.0% (4,630)
See the full breakdown
  • 2.0% of adults in Charleston completed < 9th grade.

  • 3.0% of adults in Charleston completed 9-12th grade.

  • 15.0% of adults in Charleston completed high school / ged.

  • 16.0% of adults in Charleston completed some college.

  • 7.0% of adults in Charleston completed associate's degree.

  • 35.0% of adults in Charleston completed bachelor's degree.

  • 14.0% of adults in Charleston completed master's degree.

  • 5.0% of adults in Charleston completed professional degree.

  • 3.0% of adults in Charleston completed doctorate degree.

Education Charleston SC USA
< 9th Grade 2.0% 3.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 3.0% 7.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 15.0% 28.0% 26.0%
Some College 16.0% 20.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 7.0% 10.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 35.0% 20.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 14.0% 9.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 5.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 3.0% 1.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Charleston, South Carolina

Less than $10,000 5.0% (775,467)
$10,000 to $14,999 2.9% (445,587)
$15,000 to $24,999 6.2% (954,247)
$25,000 to $34,999 4.3% (664,524)
$35,000 to $49,999 8.6% (1,323,830)
$50,000 to $74,999 14.1% (2,183,696)
$75,000 to $99,999 12.3% (1,893,520)
$100,000 to $149,999 18.3% (2,824,398)
$150,000 to $199,999 10.8% (1,672,995)
$200,000 or more 17.5% (2,695,532)
See the full breakdown
  • 5.0% of households in Charleston earn Less than $10,000.

  • 2.9% of households in Charleston earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 6.2% of households in Charleston earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 4.3% of households in Charleston earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 8.6% of households in Charleston earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 14.1% of households in Charleston earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 12.3% of households in Charleston earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 18.3% of households in Charleston earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 10.8% of households in Charleston earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 17.5% of households in Charleston earn $200,000 or more.

Income Charleston SC USA
Less than $10,000 5.0% 5.9% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 2.9% 3.8% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 6.2% 7.3% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 4.3% 7.7% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 8.6% 11.9% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 14.1% 17.0% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 12.3% 13.1% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 18.3% 16.4% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 10.8% 8.0% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 17.5% 8.9% 13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)