Charleston Regional Development Alliance

Berkeley, Charleston & Dorchester Counties

Printed from www.crda.org

Strong, Diverse Population Growth

The Charleston lifestyle has been discovered, with a steady stream of newcomers boosting the region's population to more than 680,000. Many of these new residents are highly educated and seeking employment. Many others bring with them thriving businesses of their own. All add to the unique flavor and energy of this historic coastal city. 		related information

Population StatisticsHouseholdsIncomeEducational Attainment
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Charleston S.C. MSA

  Population and Demographics1  
Population 2000 2011 % change 2000-2011 2020 projection
Charleston S.C. MSA 549,033 682,121 24.2% 736,000
Population by Age 2000 2011
19 or younger 29.2% 25.9%
20-24 7.7% 7.9%
25-34 14.7% 15.2%
35-54 29.5% 26.9%
55-64 8.5% 12.2%
65+ 10.4% 11.7%
Median Age 33.9 35.9
Population by Gender 2000 2011
Male 49.1% 48.6%
Female 50.9% 51.4%
Population by Race 2000 2011
White 65.1% 67.2%
Black or African-American 30.8% 27.6%
Asian 1.3% 1.6%
Other 2.8% 3.5%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)2 2.4% 5.4%
Households 2000 2011
Total Households 207,957 258,454
Median Household Income $39,491 $50,213
Average Household Income $51,315 $63,530
Educational Attainment 2000 2011
High school diploma (or equivalent) or higher 81.3% 87.4%
Bachelors degree or higher 25% 29.8%
Advanced degree 8.7% 10.5%


Notes & Sources:
(1) U.S. Census Bureau's 2011 American Community Survey and 2000 Census; population projections from S.C. Budget and Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 12/2012.
(2) Persons of Hispanic/Latino origin may be of any race.
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Household Growth Rate 2000-2011

  Charleston MSA  South Carolina  United States 
Households (2011) 258,454 1,768,834 114,991,725
Household Growth Rate 2000-2011 24.3% 15.3% 9.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 12/2012.
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Household Income Growth: 2000-2011

  Median Household Income (2011)  Median Household Income (2000)  Median Percent Growth 2000-2011  Average Household Income (2011)  Average Household Income (2000)  Average Percent Growth 2000-2011 
Charleston MSA $50,213 $39,491 27.2% $63,530 $51,315 23.8%
South Carolina $42,367 $37,082 14.3% $57,552 $48,349 19.0%
United States $50,502 $41,994 20.3% $69,821 $56,643 23.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, 12/2012
Educational attainment in greater Charleston is higher than in the United States overall. In fact, Charleston ranks among the top 15% of all U.S. metropolitan and micropolitan areas in terms of the proportion of residents holding advanced degrees.

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2011 Educational Attainment / % of Population 25+

  Charleston MSA  South Carolina  United States 
High school diploma or equivalent or higher 87.4% 84.2% 85.9%
Hold a bachelors degree or higher 29.8% 24.1% 28.5%
Hold an advanced degree 10.5% 8.4% 10.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 12/2012.