Charleston
South Carolina

What stands out

Against every county in America, Charleston County is unusual in three ways: natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (99 of 100), the median home price is in the top 3% of American counties ($617K), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 5% of American counties ($1,430 a month). Within South Carolina it ranks 1st of 46 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Charleston County, South Carolina. 409,840 people live here with you. The population grew 1.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +2,440).

South Carolina has a two-bracket income tax with a top rate of 5.21% for 2026, does not tax Social Security, and exempts up to $10,000 of retirement income per person. Owner-occupied homes are assessed at 4% instead of 6%, which keeps property taxes among the lowest in the country. Charleston, Greenville and the coastal counties have drawn heavy in-migration; hurricane exposure runs the length of the coast.

Money

The typical household here brings in $78,795 a year, higher than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $68,271. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 74% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

South Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,139 a year.

Home

The median home costs $617K, pricier than 97% of American counties, about 4.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,430 a month. Property tax is 0.42% of home value, roughly $1,763 a year on that median home, lower than 93% of American counties. 63% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 92% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 32 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 78.1 years, longer than 76% of American counties. There are 4,146 active physicians in the county, about 101.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.7 of 5 stars. 9.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.92 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 63% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 6 points. 69% of eligible voters turned out. Under South Carolina law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 67°F, highs near 76 and lows near 57, warmer than 87% of American counties. About 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 99 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 253 Mbps down, faster than 76% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 14 breweries, 23 museums, 2 National Park Service sites.