Charleston, SC Demographics

The total population of Charleston is estimated to be 149,960 with 71,182 males (47.47%) and 78,778 females (52.53%). There are 7,596 more females than males in Charleston.
The median household income in Charleston was $82,750 in 2021, which marked an an increase of 1,083(1.33%) from $81,667 in 2020. This income is 110.92% of the U.S. median household income of $74,606 (all incomes in 2022 inflation-adjusted dollars).
Per the latest American Community Survey by the Census Bureau, Charleston sees its highest median household income among householders in the age group of 45 to 64 years old, at $104,167. Overall, the median household income for the city of Charleston stands at $83,103.
In Charleston, the median income for all workers aged 15 years and older, regardless of work hours, was $54,407 for males and $38,035 for females. However, when specifically considering full-time, year-round workers within the same age group, the median income was $71,003 for males and $62,684 for females.
In Charleston, the demographic landscape is diverse, spanning 5 distinct racial categories among households. Among these, White households have the highest median household income at $95,424, while Black or African American households represent the opposite end with the lowest median household income of $44,591.
In 2022, the population of Charleston was 153,672, a 1.24% increase year-by-year from 2021. Previously, in 2021, Charleston's population was 151,783, an increase of 0.69% compared to a population of 150,742 in 2020.
The median age in Charleston, SC is 35.5, as per 2021 ACS 5-Year Estimates. Of the total population, 14.40% were under the age of 15, 24.25% aged 15 to 29, 46.24% aged 30 to 64, 13.13% aged 65 to 84, and 1.97% were 85 years of age and older.
Racial distribution of Charleston population: 74.13% are White, 19.65% are Black or African American, 0.31% are American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.77% are Asian, 0.17% are Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 1.41% are some other race and 2.55% are multiracial.