Charleston, SC Economic Development

Berkeley County


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Berkeley County, SC Data Profile

  Statistical Profile  
Total Area (land and water) 1,229 sq mi (3,183 sq km)
County Seat Moncks Corner
Form of Government Council/Supervisor
Gross Retail Sales (2006)1 $3.3 billion


Population and Demographics2
Population 2000 2006 % Change 2010 Projection
Berkeley County 142,651 152,282 6.8% 162,370
Population by Age 2000 2006
19 or younger 32.2% 29.5%
20-24 7.6% 6.8%
25-34 14.7% 13.2%
35-54 29.4% 29.8%
55-64 8.2% 11.2%
65+ 7.9% 9.6%
Median Age 32.2 35.4
Population by Gender 2000 2006
Male 50.8% 48.8%
Female 49.2% 51.2%
Population by Race 2000 2006
White 68.0% 66.6%
Black or African-American 26.6% 26.9%
Asian 1.9% 2.1%
Other 4.5% 4.4%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)3 2.8% 2.9%
Households 2000 2006
Total Households 49,868 55,914
Median Household Income $39,908 $48,726
Average Household Income $46,791 $60,448
Educational Attainment 2000 2006
High School Diploma (or equivalent) or higher 80.2% 86.6%
Bachelors Degree or higher 14.4% 16.6%
Advanced Degree 4.3% 5.1%


Labor Force4
Labor Market 2000 2006 % Change
Civilian Labor Force 65,670 74,570 13.6%
Employment 63,570 70,370 10.7%
Unemployment rate (%) 3.2% 5.6%
Employment by Sector 20025 2006 % Change
County-wide employment 32,525 37,591 15.6%
Natural resources / mining / construction 12.5% 11.6%
Manufacturing 21.0% 16.8%
Trade / transportation / utilities 22.0% 21.9%
Information 0.9% 2.7%
Financial activities 2.1% 2.9%
Professional & business services 4.2% 6.3%
Educational & health services 5.1% 5.1%
Leisure & hospitality industries 8.6% 8.3%
Other services 1.8% 3.2%
Government / public administration 21.7% 21.2%


Selected Leading Employers6
Firm Product or Service # of Employees
Santee Cooper Electric utility 1,750
Blackbaud Software development 900
Nucor Steel Manufacturing - steel roll & steel beam 850
Piggly Wiggly Distribution Center Distribution - grocery items 600
Alcoa Mt. Holly Manufacturing - aluminum ingot 600
American LaFrance Fire & emergency apparatus 550
ANC Rental System Inc, Division HQ Rental car, rental reservations & licensing 500
C.R. Bard Inc. Manufacturing - catheters 400
J.W. Aluminum Aluminum foil & sheet products 400
Carolina Nurseries Nursery products distribution 250
DAK Americas Manufacturing - PET resin 250
Benefitfocus On-line employee benefits administration 200


Notes & Sources:
(1) S.C. Dept of Revenue
(2) U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 American Community Survey and 2000 Census; 2010 population projections from SC Budget and Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics
(3) Persons of Hispanic/Latino origin may be of any race
(4) S.C. Employment Security Commission, 2007
(5) NAICS comparable historic data only available back to 2002 by county
(6) Center for Business Research, Charleston Metro Chamber, 7/06