Charleston, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Charleston, South Carolina had a total population of 154,338, the 1st largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $92,414, which is 33% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Charleston is the 1st largest city in South Carolina with a population of 154,338.
- Household income is 33% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in South Carolina.
- 58.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Carolina.
Charleston Quick Facts
How Charleston Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 154,338 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $92,414 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $469,100 | $509,700 | +8.7% |
How Charleston Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Charleston Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Charleston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | 119,913 | $62,956 | 14.4% | $302,200 |
| Mount Pleasant | 93,993 | $124,755 | 6.1% | $748,500 |
| Summerville | 51,654 | $81,046 | 10.1% | $328,100 |
| Ladson | 16,140 | $78,760 | 12.3% | $234,900 |
| James Island | 12,198 | $104,217 | 5.6% | $508,600 |
| Hollywood | 5,382 | $73,693 | 12.2% | $460,100 |
| Isle of Palms | 4,362 | $156,979 | 2.5% | $1,581,300 |
| Ravenel | 2,615 | $82,738 | 19.0% | $238,700 |
| Kiawah Island | 2,326 | $213,594 | 3.1% | $2,000,000+ |
| Seabrook Island | 2,204 | $127,500 | 4.4% | $1,001,400 |
Cities Similar to Charleston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 139,643 | $55,529 | $264,300 | 45.9% | 24.0% |
| North Charleston | 119,913 | $62,956 | $302,200 | 28.6% | 14.4% |
| Mount Pleasant | 93,993 | $124,755 | $748,500 | 68.4% | 6.1% |
| Rock Hill | 75,259 | $68,771 | $295,100 | 35.1% | 12.6% |
| Greenville | 72,935 | $71,472 | $487,500 | 55.5% | 14.0% |
Population Overview
Charleston is a major urban center located in South Carolina, within Charleston County. The total population is 154,338. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charleston is 36.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Charleston is $92,414. This is 33% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.3%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $509,700. Housing costs are 97% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 55.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Charleston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.8%.
Education
58.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Charleston in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 81% higher than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.1%. Notably, 22.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charleston, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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, South Carolina?
Charleston, South Carolina has a population of 154,338 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charleston, SC?
The median household income in Charleston is $92,414, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Charleston, SC?
The poverty rate in Charleston is 12.3%. This means approximately 18,295 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charleston, South Carolina?
Charleston's population is 71.8% White, 15.8% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charleston, SC?
The median home value in Charleston is $509,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Charleston, South Carolina?
58.3% of adults (25+) in Charleston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.