Charleston is a city located in Berkeley County and Charleston County South Carolina. It is also the county seat of Charleston County. With a 2023 population of 159,269, it is the largest city in South Carolina and the 176th largest city in the United States.Charleston is currently growing at a rate of 1.93% annually and its population has increased by 6.02% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 150,227 in 2020. Spanning over 131 miles, Charleston has a population density of 1,441 people per square mile.
The average household income in Charleston is $98,288 with a poverty rate of 14.07%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to - per month, and the median house value is -. The median age in Charleston is 35.3 years, 34.3 years for males, and 36.4 years for females.
Charleston is the second-largest and oldest city in South Carolina. Located in Charleston County on Charleston Harbor, Charleston has a population of 120,000, although an official 2017 estimate places the population at {pop}.
Charleston Crime Statistics
Charleston was once one of the most dangerous cities in America based on the number of crimes committed per 100,000 people. The crime rate has been declining, however. In 1999, there were 597 crimes per 100,000 people, although the rate dropped to 236/100,000 people by 2011. This compares with the national average of 320/100,000 people.
Charleston Population Growth
Charleston is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. The greater Charleston area has one of the highest growth rates in America as more people move from surrounding counties to enjoy the city's rapidly improving economy. According to new census estimates, the Charleston MSA (or the Tri-County Area) was the 12th fastest-growing metro area in the U.S.
When Charles II of England retook the throne in 1660, he granted a charter to the Province of Carolina and sent the eight Lord Proprietors in 1663. It took several years for them to arrange for expeditions, although the first -- Charles Town -- was founded in 1670. Charles Town (which was later changed to Charleston) was settled by people from Bermuda under governor William Sayle. The settlement quickly became a major port town.
In 1718, the town was attacked by infamous pirate Edward Teach, better known as 'Blackbeard'. As the capital of the colony, Charles Town was the southernmost English settlement in America until the Georgia colony was established decades later. It was subjected to many attacks from France, Spain, and pirates for the 40 years.
Most early settlers were from England, the Barbados colony, and Bermuda. Among the first settlers were free people of color who were born in the West Indies to Englanders and Africans. Even in the beginning, Charleston attracted people from many religious and ethnic groups. It was once home to the richest and largest Jewish community in all of North America until 1830.
Charles Town was the most extensive and wealthiest city south of Philadelphia by the mid-1700s, becoming the 4th largest port in the colonies behind Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Charleston was a significant point in the Revolutionary War. While it lost its status as the state capital in 1786, it became very prosperous with an economy dominated by cotton plantations until the mid-19th century. By 1860, almost 18% of the city's black population were free people of color or nearly 8% of the total population.
Charleston's 300-year history is evident in most neighborhoods, especially the city center, which has a large and well-preserved residential historic area that's popular with tourists. The city's downtown is free of skyscrapers. Instead, Charleston boasts historic plantation homes alongside new retail development.