Charleston, SC Economic Development

Charleston County


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Charleston County, SC Data Profile

Statistical Profile 
Total Area (land and water) 1,357 sq mi (3,515 sq km)
County Seat Charleston
Form of Government Council/Administrator
Gross Retail Sales (2006)1 $13.1 billion


Population & Demographics2
Population 2000 2006 % Change 2010 Projection
Charleston County 309,969 331,917 7.1% 339,140
Population by Age 2000 2006
19 or younger 27.3% 27.0%
20-24 8.5% 7.6%
25-34 14.9% 13.6%
35-54 28.8% 28.0%
55-64 8.6% 11.6%
65+ 11.9% 12.2%
Median Age 34.5 36
Population by Gender 2000 2006
Male 48.3% 48.3%
Female 51.7% 51.7%
Population by Race 2000 2006
White 61.9% 63.7%
Black or African-American 34.5% 31.9%
Asian 1.1% 1.3%
Other 3.5% 3.1%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)3 2.4% 3.3%
Households 2000 2006
Total Households 123,260 136,818
Median Household Income $37,810 $43,857
Average Household Income $52,985 $67,930
Educational Attainment 2000 2006
High School Diploma (or equivalent) or higher 81.5% 86.3%
Bachelors Degree or higher 30.7% 36.1%
Advanced Degree 11.0% 12.1%


Labor Force4
Labor Market 2000 2006 % Change
Civilian Labor Force 152,750 172,920 13.2%
Employment 147,850 164,180 11.0%
Unemployment rate (%) 3.2% 5.1%
Employment by Sector 20025 2006 % Change
County-wide employment 182,784 203,809 11.5%
Natural resources / mining / construction 6.7% 6.8%
Manufacturing 4.6% 4.8%
Trade / transportation / utilities 20.1% 20.2%
Information 1.7% 1.7%
Financial activities 5.0% 5.0%
Professional & business services 13.5% 14.3%
Educational & health services 10.8% 10.9%
Leisure & hospitality industries 13.8% 13.8%
Other services 3.0% 3.0%
Government / public administration 20.7% 19.4%


Selected Leading Employers6
Firm Product or Service # of Employees
Medical University of South Carolina Healthcare, medical research, post-secondary education 10,000
Charleston Air Force Base U.S. Air Force 5,600
MeadWestvaco Paper, lumber, chemicals 1,600
Verizon Wireless Customer service call center 1,050
Scientific Research Corporation Communications systems 400
Milcom Systems Electronic communications equipment 350
General Engineering Labs Environmental testing 300
Hill-Rom Specialty medical equipment; clinical division headquarters 250
Lifecycle Engineering Engineering services; corporate headquarters 350
Daimler Vans Manufacturing Commercial vehicle producer 200
Vought Aircraft Indsutries Supplier of aerostructures 190
Global Aeronautica Aircraft components 150
Rhodia Specialty chemicals 150
AAI International Contract pharmaceutical manufacturing 45
Automated Trading Desk (Citigroup affiliate) On-line stock trading 40


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 of Commerce, 7/06