Charleston city, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Charleston city, South Carolina has a total population of 152,014, the 1st largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $90,038, which is 35% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Charleston city is the 1st largest city in South Carolina with a population of 152,014.
- Household income is 35% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in South Carolina.
- 57.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Carolina.
Charleston city Quick Facts
How Charleston city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 54 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Charleston city Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Charleston city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia city | 138,019 | $55,653 | $243,500 | 46.1% | 23.3% |
| North Charleston city | 117,460 | $62,789 | $267,700 | 28.0% | 15.5% |
| Mount Pleasant town | 92,662 | $121,364 | $667,100 | 66.2% | 5.8% |
| Rock Hill city | 74,769 | $64,770 | $267,400 | 34.5% | 13.3% |
| Greenville city | 71,755 | $68,460 | $453,300 | 55.0% | 14.1% |
Population Overview
Charleston city is a major urban center located in South Carolina. The total population is 152,014. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charleston city is 36.1 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Charleston city is $90,038. This is 35% higher than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 15% higher. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 16% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $469,100. Housing costs are 98% higher than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 55.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 71.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Charleston city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.3%.
Education
57.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Charleston city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 83% higher than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.9%. Notably, 22.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charleston city, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in South Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Charleston city, South Carolina?
Charleston city, South Carolina has a population of 152,014 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charleston city, SC?
The median household income in Charleston city is $90,038, which is 15% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Charleston city, SC?
The poverty rate in Charleston city is 12.0%. This means approximately 17,496 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charleston city, South Carolina?
Charleston city's population is 70.6% White, 17.3% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charleston city, SC?
The median home value in Charleston city is $469,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Charleston city, South Carolina?
57.7% of adults (25+) in Charleston city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.