Charleston: Demographics & People
Charleston is home to 154,338 people, in 68,027 households. Population grew 1.5% from 152,014 (2022) to 154,338 (2024). Median age 36.6 years. (2.6y younger than Charleston County). Children under 18 are 17% of the population. Population is 72% White (non-Hispanic) and 16% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.42). 52% of households are family-led. County is gaining 17,858 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs South Carolina avg 2.5).
- 48% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs South Carolina 38%).
- 51 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs South Carolina 68).
Population & Trend
Population grew 1.5% from 152,014 (2022) to 154,338 (2024) — about 2.6× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~156,708 (extrapolated at 0.8%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 159,906.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 229,861 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 1.5% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 152,014 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 154,338 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 154,338 people (vs South Carolina 24,505) |
| Population Estimate | 159,906 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 36.6y is 2.3 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 17% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 36.6 years (at South Carolina median) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 17.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 154,338 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 26,684 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 46,514.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 55,766.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 25,374 |
| Population under 18 | 26,684 |
| Median age | 36.6 years (at South Carolina median) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 154,338 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.42 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 110,763 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 26,383 |
| Asian residents | 3,301 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 8,952 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 41.5% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 74.1% |
| Asian population | 1.9% (vs South Carolina 1.8%) |
| Black population | 15.8% (vs South Carolina 21.3%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 6.1% (vs South Carolina 6.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 71.7% (vs South Carolina 60.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.6% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 6% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 63,971 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 78,702 |
| Share born in this state | 41.4% |
| Share born in another state | 58.6% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 51.0% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 6.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 8,049 |
| From Europe | 1,891 |
| From Africa | 2,578 |
| From Latin America | 18 |
| Census Foreign Born · Caribbean | 42 |
Households & Family Composition
68,027 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 52% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 34,298 families, 29% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 26,611 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 34,298 |
| Married couples with children | 9,783 |
| Single-parent households | 646 |
| Average household size | 2.20 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.6% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 1,311 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 307 |
| Family households | 35,318 households (vs South Carolina 5,968) |
| Households that are families | 51.9% (vs South Carolina 61.8%) |
| Total households | 68,027 households (vs South Carolina 9,745) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 18.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 17,858 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 18.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 256,834 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 238,976 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 17,858 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 6,622 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 4.5% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 5,825 residents live in group quarters (3.8% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 5,825 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 1 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 45015 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 45 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 015 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Berkeley |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 17.8% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 16.30 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 19.50 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 45015 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Berkeley County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 5,908 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 45015 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Berkeley County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 66.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 55.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 40.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 227,907 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 33 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 45 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 17.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 154,338, growing, family-oriented, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 154,338 people (vs South Carolina 24,505) |
| Town Summary · County | Berkeley County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade