North Charleston, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, North Charleston, South Carolina had a total population of 119,913, the 3rd largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $62,956, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- North Charleston is the 3rd largest city in South Carolina with a population of 119,913.
North Charleston Quick Facts
How North 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 | 117,460 | 119,913 | +2.1% |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $62,956 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $267,700 | $302,200 | +12.9% |
How North 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
North Charleston Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Charleston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 154,338 | $92,414 | 12.3% | $509,700 |
| 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 North 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% |
| Charleston | 154,338 | $92,414 | $509,700 | 58.3% | 12.3% |
| Rock Hill | 75,259 | $68,771 | $295,100 | 35.1% | 12.6% |
| Greenville | 72,935 | $71,472 | $487,500 | 55.5% | 14.0% |
| Mount Pleasant | 93,993 | $124,755 | $748,500 | 68.4% | 6.1% |
Population Overview
North Charleston is a major urban center located in South Carolina, within Charleston County. The total population is 119,913. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in North Charleston is 34.6 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in North Charleston is $62,956. This is 9% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $302,200. Housing costs are 17% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 49.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
North Charleston is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.3% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.9% vs 7.4%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.1% vs 1.8%).
Education
28.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower 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 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for North 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of North Charleston, South Carolina?
North Charleston, South Carolina has a population of 119,913 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in North Charleston, SC?
The median household income in North Charleston is $62,956, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in North Charleston, SC?
The poverty rate in North Charleston is 14.4%. This means approximately 16,734 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of North Charleston, South Carolina?
North Charleston's population is 38.0% White, 41.3% Black, 12.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in North Charleston, SC?
The median home value in North Charleston is $302,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is North Charleston, South Carolina?
28.6% of adults (25+) in North Charleston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.