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 660,000. 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 2010 % change 2000-2010 2020 projection
Charleston S.C. MSA 549,033 664,607 21.1% 708,130
Population by Age 2000 2010
19 or younger 29.2% 26.2%
20-24 7.7% 8.0%
25-34 14.7% 15.1%
35-54 29.5% 27.2%
55-64 8.5% 11.8%
65+ 10.4% 11.4%
Median Age 33.9 35.4
Population by Gender 2000 2010
Male 49.1 48.9%
Female 50.9 51.1%
Population by Race 2000 2010
White 65.1% 65.6%
Black or African-American 30.8% 27.7%
Asian 1.3% 1.6%
Other 2.8% 5.1%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)2 2.4% 5.4%
Households 2000 2009
Total Households (2000 and 2010 Census) 207,957 259,987
Median Household Income $39,491 $48,246
Average Household Income $51,315 $63,686
Educational Attainment 2000 2009
High school diploma (or equivalent) or higher 81.3% 87.1%
Bachelors degree or higher 25% 31.1%
Advanced degree 8.7% 10.3%


Notes & Sources:
(1) U.S. Census Bureau's 2009 American Community Survey and 2000 and 2010 Census; population projections from S.C. Budget and Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics 6/2011
(2) Persons of Hispanic/Latino origin may be of any race.
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Household Growth Rate 2000-2010

  Charleston MSA  South Carolina  United States 
Households (2010) 259,987 1,801,181 116,716,292
Household Growth Rate 2000-2010 25.0% 17.4% 10.7%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 6/2011
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Household Income Growth: 2000-2009

  Median Household Income (2009)  Median Household Income (2000)  Median Percent Growth 2000-2009  Average Household Income (2009)  Average Household Income (2000)  Average Percent Growth 2000-2009 
Charleston MSA $48,246 $39,491 22.2% $63,686 $51,315 24.1%
South Carolina $42,442 $37,082 14.5% $57,062 $48,349 18.0%
United States $50,221 $41,994 19.6% $68,914 $56,643 21.7%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey, 9/2010
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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2009 Educational Attainment / % of Population 25+

  Charleston MSA  South Carolina  United States 
High school diploma or equivalent or higher 87.1% 83.6% 85.3%
Hold a bachelors degree or higher 31.1% 24.3% 27.9%
Hold an advanced degree 10.3% 8.4% 10.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey, 9/2010