Charleston Metro Area, SC Local Data & Statistics

State: SC
Total population: 834,267 Household income: $85,254 Rent: $1,605

Overview

Total population
834,267
Rent
$1,605
Year built
1996
Household income
$85,254
Per capita income
$48,581
Poverty rate
10.9%
Unemployment rate
3.5%
Household size
2.4 persons
Rent over 30% of income
49.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State
SC
Total population
834,267
Adults over 25
583,372
Total households
335,865
Household size
2.4 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$85,254
Per capita income
$48,581
Poverty rate
10.9%
Unemployment rate
3.5%
Rent over 30% of income
49.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Housing

Rent
$1,605
Year built
1996
Households that rent
30.9%
Households that own
69.1%
Rooms per home (all homes)
5.8

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Race

White
64.1%
Black
23.4%
Asian
2.1%
Two or more races
6.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
7.8%
Not Hispanic or Latino
92.2%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Commute

Commute rate
85.1%
Commute time to work
28 mins
Work from home
14.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Education

Less than high school
26%
High school graduate or GED
22.5%
Some college or associate degree
10.7%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
40.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

 

Comparison of Charleston Metro Area, SC with: South Carolina United States

Charleston Metro Area

Total population834,267
Rent$1,605
Year built1996
Household income$85,254
Per capita income$48,581
Poverty rate10.9%
Unemployment rate3.5%

South Carolina State

Total population5,296,225
Rent$1,180
Year built1992
Household income$69,324
Per capita income$39,236
Poverty rate14.1%
Unemployment rate4.2%

United States

Total population334,922,499
Rent$1,413
Year built1980
Household income$80,734
Per capita income$44,673
Poverty rate12.5%
Unemployment rate4%
Metric Metro AreaCharleston Metro AreaStateSouth CarolinaCountryUnited States
Total population834,2675,296,225334,922,499
Rent$1,605$1,180$1,413
Year built199619921980
Household income$85,254$69,324$80,734
Per capita income$48,581$39,236$44,673
Poverty rate10.9%14.1%12.5%
Unemployment rate3.5%4.2%4%

View the complete comparison of Charleston Metro Area, South Carolina and United States →

 

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Summary for Charleston Metro Area, SC

Charleston metro area is located in SC.

Rent & Income

The typical monthly rent in this metro area is $1,605, while the typical household income is $85,254. Rent in this metro area is higher than in both South Carolina and the U.S., and household income is also higher than in both.

Housing & Affordability

This metro area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 30.9% of households. About 49.3% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating a high cost burden. The poverty rate is about 10.9%, which is lower than both South Carolina and the national rate.

Education & Employment

The local unemployment rate is about 3.5%, which is lower than in both South Carolina and the national rate.

 

Charleston Metro Area, SC — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

Charleston Metro Area, SC — Poverty vs Unemployment

 

💰 Rent in Charleston Metro Area, SC (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,605 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Charleston Metro Area, SC

Annual Household Income: $85,254

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Charleston Metro Area, SC

Estimated Rate: 10.9%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Charleston Metro Area, SC

In Charleston Metro Area, SC, households that rent: 103,933 (30.9%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 103,933 30.9%
Owner-Occupied 231,932 69.1%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Charleston Metro Area, SC

In Charleston Metro Area, SC, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 51,212 (49.3%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 51,212 49.3%
Other renter households 52,721 50.7%
Total renter households 103,933 100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Charleston Metro Area, SC

Less than High School: 151,605 people (26%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 131,484 people (22.5%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 62,151 people (10.7%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 238,132 people (40.8%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 583,372

📊 Unemployment Rate in Charleston Metro Area, SC

Estimated Rate: 3.5%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

 

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.