Population
436,200
2025
+6.4% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Charleston County, SC growth snapshot
Charleston County had an estimated 436,200 residents in 2025, up 6.4% (26,266 more people) since 2020. That is slower than South Carolina as a whole (+8.5%), and the 44th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+175
2025
0.4 per 1,000 residents
+9,392 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
283,985
2025
+17.2% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$1,388
2025
+29.2% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
3.6%
2025
+1.4 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
3,392
2025
−12.2% since 2021
7.8 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$88,494
2020–24
+31.7% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
226,330
2023
+6.8% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 175 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 283,985 jobs in 2025, +17.2% since 2020 (21st of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,388.
Unemployment averaged 3.6% in 2025, 1.4 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 3,392 new homes in 2025, or 7.8 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $88,494 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +31.7% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 453rd.
Part of the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area.
Charleston County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 436,200 | +2,943 |
| 2024 | 433,257 | +6,810 |
| 2023 | 426,447 | +6,122 |
| 2022 | 420,325 | +5,663 |
| 2021 | 414,662 | +4,728 |
| 2020 | 409,934 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Charleston County
Charleston County grew by 26,266 people since 2020; the largest part came from international migration (+10,961).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +1,215 | +5,794 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +1,567 | +10,961 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +175 | +9,392 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −14 | +119 | |
| Total change | +2,943 | +26,266 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In South Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 16th of 46 | 453rd of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 41st of 46 | 1,854th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 20th of 46 | 995th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 2nd of 46 | 337th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 1st of 46 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 1st of 46 | 1,086th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 15th of 46 | 272nd of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Charleston County's population change (+6.4%) was ahead of 2 of its 4 neighbouring counties and behind 2 (Berkeley County and Dorchester County).
Its median household income ($88,494, 2020–24) is higher than in all 4 of its neighbouring counties.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston County, SC This county | 436,200 | +6.4% | 0.4 | 7.8 | $88,494 |
| Berkeley County, SC | 274,666 | +18.7% | 24.9 | 8.4 | $84,358 |
| Dorchester County, SC | 178,397 | +10.1% | 16.3 | 8.9 | $78,198 |
| Colleton County, SC | 39,382 | +2.2% | 0.0 | 1.9 | $51,114 |
| Georgetown County, SC | 65,912 | +3.8% | 3.5 | 5.7 | $68,713 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 46 South Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Charleston County?
About 436,200 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Charleston County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 6.4% between 2020 and 2025, about 26,266 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). South Carolina as a whole changed +8.5% over the same years. That ranks 44th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Charleston County?
On net, about 175 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Charleston County?
Employers there reported 283,985 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +17.2% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,388 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Charleston County?
It averaged 3.6% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Charleston County?
Building permits authorized 3,392 new housing units in 2025, 7.8 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Charleston County?
$88,494 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Charleston County compare with other South Carolina counties?
Among South Carolina counties it ranks 16th of 46 for population growth; 41st of 46 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 20th of 46 for private-sector job growth; 2nd of 46 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 453rd of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.