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 nearly 650,000. 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 2008 % change 2000-2008 2020 projection
Charleston S.C. MSA 549,033 644,506 17.4% 708,130
Population by Age 2000 2008
19 or younger 29.2% 27.8%
20-24 7.7% 7.5%
25-34 14.7% 13.4%
35-54 29.5% 28.3%
55-64 8.5% 11.8%
65+ 10.4% 11.2%
Median Age 33.9 35.8
Population by Gender 2000 2008
Male 49.1 49.0%
Female 50.9 51.0%
Population by Race 2000 2008
White 65.1% 67.1%
Black or African-American 30.8% 28.4%
Asian 1.3% 1.5%
Other 2.8% 3.0%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)2 2.4% 3.8%
Households 2000 2008
Total Households 207,957 237,004
Median Household Income $39,491 $52,302
Average Household Income $51,315 $70,143
Educational Attainment 2000 2008
High school diploma (or equivalent) or higher 81.3% 87.5%
Bachelors degree or higher 25% 28.7%
Advanced degree 8.7% 11.1%


Notes & Sources:
(1) U.S. Census Bureau's 2008 American Community Survey and 2000 Census; population projections from S.C. Budget and Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics
(2) Persons of Hispanic/Latino origin may be of any race.
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Household Growth Rate 2000-2008

  Charleston MSA  South Carolina  United States 
Households (2008) 237,004 1,702,300 113,101,329
Household Growth Rate 2000-2008 14.0% 11.0% 7.2%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008
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Household Income Growth: 2000-2008

  Median Household Income (2008)  Median Household Income (2000)  Median Percent Growth 2000-2008  Average Household Income (2008)  Average Household Income (2000)  Average Percent Growth 2000-2008 
Charleston MSA $52,302 $39,491 32.4% $70,143 $51,315 36.7%
South Carolina $44,625 $37,082 20.3% $59,942 $48,349 24.0%
United States $52,029 $41,994 23.9% $71,498 $56,643 26.2%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008
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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2008 Educational Attainment / % of Population 25+

  Charleston MSA  South Carolina  United States 
High school diploma or equivalent or higher 87.5% 83.2% 85.0%
Hold a bachelors degree or higher 28.7% 23.0% 27.7%
Hold an advanced degree 11.1% 8.5% 10.2%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008 American Community Survey, 10/2009