EZ Home Search Guide to Living in Charleston County, SC

Are you looking for easy oceanfront living, lots of amenities, and really nice people? Welcome to Charleston County, South Carolina. This area of the state has a little slice of everything to meet everyone’s lifestyle needs. Charleston County has a rich history and culture, historic homes and modern communities, and people who exude southern hospitality. 

There’s so much to see and do in Charleston County. For this guide, we’re highlighting fewer tourist attractions (like the Pineapple Fountain) and more the general flavor of life in Charleston. Come see what to expect when living in Charleston.

About Charleston County 

Charleston County has a nice balance of economic activity, natural beauty, and things to do. The county is probably most famous for its namesake city, Charleston. The area has won many lifestyle awards, with Conde Nast Traveler ranking Charleston among its top 5 recommended cities in the United States and No. 1 for Best Small City. 

The county is South Carolina’s third most populous. The borders extend from the mouth of the Santee River to the Edisto River, and along 91 miles of Atlantic coastline. There are numerous islands, small inlets, in two large tidal rivers. Much of the county is situated along or near water. Inland, the farmlands serve as essential staple crop producers for the South.

Charleston County History

Charleston County was founded in 1901 through an act of the South Carolina Legislature. Its name comes from the eponymous county seat Charleston, the state’s largest city.

The area was first delineated into the Charleston District back in 1785. County lines were redrawn several times, so the precise borders of Charleston County changed several times over the years. The state General Assembly established the modern boundaries in early 1900.

Charleston County is one of the most historic locations in South Carolina. The colony of Carolina was established on the West Bank of the Ashley River in 1670. The settlement was named Charles Town in honor of King Charles II of England. The town moved to a peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers and was renamed Charleston in 1783. With its new strategic location, Charleston quickly became the political, social, economic center of South Carolina throughout the colonial era into the antebellum periods.

English and French Huguenots settlers and their African slaves built an economy around indigo, rice, and cotton plantations along the area’s rivers and sea Islands. Numerous merchants visited the Charleston ports for import and exports, making the city and the area one of the busiest Atlantic ports. 

American Revolutionary forces famously defeated the attacking British fleet at Charleston in June 1776. The palmetto log fort on Sullivan’s Island withstood British cannonballs. That’s why the palmetto tree has a prominent place on the South Carolina flag. Another local Charleston location, Fort Sumter, saw artillery fire in April 1861, signaling the start of the American Civil War. 

By the 1920s, Charleston had an estimated population of 108,450, thanks to its thriving port. The population has continued growing into the modern era, and the area remains a destination city. 

Charleston County Cities

Charleston serves as a county seat and is the county’s largest city with 137,566 people. It sits on the mouth of the Charleston Harbor.

North Charleston is the second most populated city in the county. Just nine miles north of Charleston, the area has the charm of its southern neighbor with fewer crowds. Mount Pleasant is the third most populated city, with abundant parks, proximity to beaches, and a coastal lifestyle.

Moving inland, the suburbs around Summerville (partly in Dorchester County) are a popular area for housing affordability. Find numerous retirement communities and amenities in the surrounding Summerville area. 

Charleston County has numerous destination islands and communities built around inlets. Notable ones include Kiawah Island, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, James Island, and Folly Beach. Each island offers a unique charm and quality of life. 

Other incorporated cities throughout Charleston County include Awendaw, Hollywood, Lincolnville, Meggett, and Ravenel. Many communities are close to a river, bay, wetlands, or beaches.

Charleston Job Market

Charleston has ample employment opportunities to support your new lifestyle. The top industries in Charleston County include trade, transportation, and utilities; professional and business services; and government. 

South Carolina market report identified the area’s top employers by size as Charleston County, Charleston County School District, City of Charleston, the Department of Defense, the Medical University of South Carolina, the Boeing Company, Trident Medical Center, the VA Medical Center, and several big chain retailers and groceries. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Charleston area has high concentrations of employment in eight of its 22 identified occupational groups, including food preparation and serving, healthcare practitioners, technical industry, and sales. 

Based on the percentage of people employed, the top industries include office and administrative support, retail and sales, and food service preparation.

In May 2021, Charleston County reported a 3.3% unemployment rate, which was well below the state (4.5%), and national (6.1%) reported average unemployment rates. Overall, healthcare and social assistant professions employed 40,000 of Charleston County’s Workforce. Much of this employment in the medical sector is supported by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), a leading research and teaching hospital in the Southeast.

The state predicts from 2016 to 2026, the most industry growth will be in the health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service, and transportation and warehousing industries. 

Charleston is also home to 250 technology companies. A South Carolina Technology Council study revealed that the average annual tech employment for the Charleston region is 15.5%. Six Boeing facilities and business units in the area contribute to its manufacturing and technological growth.

The Naval Information Warfare Center and the Navy and Airforce commands are attached to Joint Base-Charleston, providing additional employment to area residents.

Real Estate Market Highlights

The Charleston County housing market has shown consistent growth since 2016. New listings grew from 23,006 in 2016 to 25,402 in 2020, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Some local communities experienced a new listings increase of over 20%, such as in Daniel Island, Hanahan, and the upper Charleston peninsula.

The number of closed deals stayed relatively steady from 2016 to 2019 and increased 17% in 2020. The areas with the most closed sales were Kiawah, Isle of Palms, and Seabrook Island.

The increasing interest in Charleston County contributed to a rise in median sales prices. Single-family median prices increased 8% from 2016 to 2020, finishing the year at $300,000. Kiawah Island, the Edisto area, and Seabrook Island saw the most change in their median sales prices. 

In a June 2021 year-over-year comparison, Charleston County’s new listings grew just .2%, while closed sales rose 16.6%. The median sales price rose 31.6% to $520,000. Charleston County homes were on the market a median of 17 days until sale.

For townhomes and condos, the month showed a year-over-year 7.6% increase for new listings. Closed sales grew 25% while the median sales price reached $278,400, a 13.6% increase. The days on the market dropped 58% to just 23 days. 

Charleston County Population Growth 

The US Census estimates Charleston County’s July 2019 population at 411,406 residents. That is a 17.5% increase from April 2010.

A South Carolina Community profile found that the population by age group is rather well-rounded. The average age of a resident was 37.8 years in 2019. The 25-to-29-year-old age bracket had the most residents, but there were high numbers across the board in the various age brackets. 

That same profile found that the population grew by just over 18,000 people between 2010 and 2020. The report predicts the Charleston area will add another 20,000 residents by 2030. 

The average number of persons per household was 2.45. Around 43% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Another 91.7% have at least a high school diploma or higher.

The average median household income for Charleston residents was just over $64,000. 

Demographically, around 70% of residents identify as white. Another 26% identify as black or African American. Around 28,941 veterans live in the area.

Charleston County Education

The Charleston County School District is a public school district servicing around 49,000 students. The school district manages 88 schools and specialized programs. 

The portfolio of schools includes a diverse list of specialized programs, including neighborhood, IB, Montessori, and charter school education options. There are also special programs in STEM, Music and Creative Arts, Career and Technical preparation, and Military programs. 

Charleston County had 48 private schools in 2021. The top-ranked private schools included the University of the Lowcountry, Charleston Day School, and Porter-Gaud School. Around 60% of Charleston County private schools were religiously affiliated. 

Higher education opportunities are available across Charleston County. The most populated was the College of Charleston, a state-supported comprehensive university with education in the Arts and Sciences, business, and education industries.

The Charleston Southern University is a Christian College that awarded 1,378 degrees in 2018. 

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is a leading teaching hospital in the Southeast. It awarded over 2,000 degrees in 2018.

Charleston also is home to the Citadel Military College of South Carolina, which awarded over 2,000 degrees in 2018.

Charleston is also serviced by the Charleston School of Law, the Miller-Motte Technical College Charleston, Virginia College, the Art Institute of Charleston, and other vocational training schools.

Charleston County Health Care

With a leading medical school headquartered in Charleston, several highly-ranked institutions serve the county’s medical needs. Overall, there are an estimated 1,500 doctors and thousands of additional local employment opportunities related to health care. 

Charleston County has ten major medical facilities, including:

Trident Health Systems

This health system runs two acute care hospitals, Trident Medical Center in Summerville Medical Center, and Moncks Corner Medical Center. The Joint Commission accredits the Trident Health System.

Roper Saint Francis Healthcare

The Roper Hospital was founded in 1850 as the first community hospital in the Carolinas. Today it has a 453-bed acute care facility and regional referral center. Its signature services include heart care, a cancer center, neurosciences, orthopedics, women’s, and pediatric services. Another part of the health care system is the Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, opened by the Sisters of Our Charity of Our Lady of Mercy. It has 141 beds servicing health care needs in more rural areas of the Lowcountry. 

Charleston Memorial Hospital

Operated by the Medical University of South Carolina, this hospital is owned by Charleston County. It was the first to have a full-service emergency room, and it has 200-plus beds.

East Cooper Community Hospital 

This is a Regional Medical Center providing health care to Mount Pleasant area residents. It has a 24-hour emergency service and physicians offices in the East Cooper Medical Center.

The Medical University of South Carolina

This teaching hospital on a 58-acre campus houses six individual medical colleges, including nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy. It has a 596-bed hospital and specializes in areas such as pediatrics, oncology, and psychiatry. 

Charleston County Things to Do

Everywhere you go in Charleston County, there’s an important moment in American history waiting to be discovered. From the historic homes of the antebellum elite to the forts protecting the harbor, this area has been at the crossroads of important moments. Numerous walking and carriage tours help visitors and residents learn about Charleston’s history and its landmarks.

With 91 miles of Atlantic Coastline, Charleston County provides endless stretches of white sandy beaches for you to explore and appreciate. Some of these are found on the area’s islands, such as the Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Kiawah Island. Some have public access; others are nature preserves best reached by boat.

Golf is a popular pastime among Charleston County residents. There are seven golf courses in the area, and two are municipal golf courses. At Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms, find two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses open to the public. Another option is the championship courses at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, with links designed by names like Jack Nicklaus and Clyde Johnston. 

Across Charleston County, the parks and nature preserves provide access to the area’s natural beauty. Folly Beach County Park is a popular destination for residents looking to escape the more touristy areas of the county. You can also access the ocean through the Isle of Palms County Park or the Kiawah Beachwalker County Park. Fishing piers are available at Folly Beach and Mount Pleasant.

Charleston does have other family fun recreational options, such as Whirlin Waters at North Charleston Wannamaker County Park. James Island and Palmetto Islands County Parks also have water parks for the kids and families.

James Island County Park has additional outdoor recreation amenities, such as a 50-foot climbing wall and a bouldering cave. Try the park’s challenge course, or experience its other amenities like a fishing dock and summer camps. It hosts a Lowcountry Cajun Festival, usually the first weekend in April, and a holiday Festival of Lights that runs from mid-November through the first of the year. 

Another iconic attraction prying the Charleston waters is the Schooner Pride, the only three-masted tall ship around. It is modeled after an eighteenth-century coastal trading schooner. It sails daily for dolphin sails, sunset sails, and private charters.

Charleston County Dining

If you enjoy world-class dining, you won’t miss out living in Charleston County! Numerous James Beard award winners and nationally recognized restaurants lie within Charleston and the surrounding area. While Charleston may be renowned for the Lowcountry cuisine and its fresh seafood, the area’s restaurants offer globally inspired cuisine. Here are a few highlights of the dining scene:

• Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar, has a changing fish and oyster menu.
• Rodney Scott’s BBQ, a James Beard 2018 best chef Southeast. He is a South Carolina legend known for a savory smoked whole hog.
• Husk, a local restaurant that literally only uses ingredients from the South.
• Fleet Landing is a great place to watch the boats go by and see the USS Yorktown across the river.
• FIG, Lowcountry cuisine but uses fare from local farmers and fishermen.
• Charleston Grill, set in the elegant Belmond Charleston Place Hotel. This is an upscale place to make memories.
• Peninsula Grill, known as one of the most romantic dining spots in Charleston with a signature 12-layer ultimate coconut cake.
• High Cotton, a fine-dining venue that combines local ingredients with flair.
• Bowens Island Restaurant, a James Beard American classic restaurant that just serves classically cooked seafood done well.

Truly, you can find a dining venue to suit every occasion. See this list for more inspiration.

Charleston County Shopping

Charleston County is home to retailers from top brands to one-of-a-kind boutiques. You can find everything you need in the numerous shopping areas.

Mount Pleasant Towne Centre has been voted Charleston’s best shopping destination. In addition to the 16- screen theater, this open-air shopping center has 60 retailers and restaurants near downtown Charleston.

The Shops at Belmond Charleston Place have a curated collection of world-famous stores in the heart of downtown Charleston.

Freshfields Village is a town center-style shopping area on Kiawah Island shaped by the Lowcountry tradition and style.

Charleston City Market offers a glimpse into the Old South. Today the stalls have a range of goods and regional souvenirs. 

Charleston County also has two malls, the Northwoods Mall near North Charleston and the Citadel Mall. To find a deal, try Tanger Outlets in North Charleston. 

Charleston is also home to art galleries and studios that capture the Lowcountry folk art tradition. Gallery Row on historic Broad Street is the epicenter of the artisanal tradition in the city. In sum, 21 art galleries await exploration in the Charleston area.

Charleston County Local Favorites

As you can tell, Charleston residents have much to see and do. To truly live like a local, you’ve got to know what residents enjoy. Here are a few local secrets:

• The Pickled Palate is one of Mount Pleasant’s best restaurants. Enjoy a glass of wine in their vintage garden.
• The Tattooed Moose is a local watering hole famous for its duck-fat fries and Mike’s Famous Duck Club, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
• The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene is known as “The Wreck” to locals. It’s named after a trawler that landed on the spot during Hurricane Hugo. It’s where locals go to get fried shrimp and seafood.
• Firefly Distillery is South Carolina’s largest distillery. It hosts live music and local food trucks.
• Tourists often skip over Sullivan’s Island, but this beachfront town proves good things come in small packages. Sullivan island has excellent beaches, restaurants, unique shops, and lots of history. Fort Moultrie was first located on Sullivan’s Island; it withstood a 9-hour battle in 1776.
• The Angel Oak is one of the most photographed icons in Charleston. It is said to be the largest Live Oak east of the Mississippi. The John’s Island tree is estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old.
• USS Yorktown, now at Patriots Point in Charleston. It was the 10th aircraft carrier to serve in the United States Navy, received 11 Battle Stars for its World War II service and five stars for Vietnam service. Today you can take a tour of this historic Naval carrier.
• The Battery is a row of southern-style mansions overlooking Charleston Harbor. This area is the heart and soul of historic Charleston maritime activity. Explore around the neighborhood to discover some Civil War-era relics in memorials.
• Isle of Palms, located 16 miles east of Charleston, has seven miles of shoreline perfect for windsurfing, sailing, and swimming. It is known as the place to go to relax.
• Aiken Rhett House Museum was built in the early 1800s and expanded upon by a South Carolina governor. Much of the original style has been preserved, and you can explore what life was like pre-Civil War, visiting the slave quarters, the kitchens, and other areas of the house.
• Drayton Hall is one of the oldest surviving plantation houses in the South. It also has been preserved close to its original condition.
• Fort Sumter is just a ferry ride away. Explore the thick stone caverns and the Civil War-era cannons. This is a must-see for history buffs.

Life in Charleston County

There’s so much more to do and see in Charleston County, South Carolina. With all of the attractions and outdoor recreation, it’s no wonder this is the third-most populous county in South Carolina. World-class dining is at your fingertips, as are miles of beaches and waterfront. Find oceanfront living, historic homes, or modern communities rich in amenities. This area truly has a lifestyle to suit everyone.