Goose Creek-Hanahan
RANK #813 / 996 NAT · #20 / 24 SC · POP 231,419
1YR FORECAST: -0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +15%
Cypress Gardens, a 170-acre preserve in Moncks Corner, offers botanical gardens and an 80-acre blackwater swamp, famously featured in films like *The Notebook*. Berkeley County, located in South Carolina's Lowcountry, sits near Charleston, providing a blend of suburban living with access to urban amenities. Commuting options include major interstates like I-26 and I-95, and public transportation such as the TriCounty Link bus system, which also offers commuter routes. The county is characterized by its natural scenery, including Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, and the Francis Marion National Forest, offering extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, and biking.
Life in Berkeley County attracts families and young professionals, with a community that values its small-town feel despite ongoing development. The Berkeley County School District serves the area with public schools. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in commercial and residential sectors, as well as manufacturing and technology. This expansion includes new facilities and a focus on workforce development to support the evolving economic landscape.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Redwood Materials Battery Recycling Plant
Redwood Materials
|
$3,500M | Under Construction |
|
Google Data Center Expansion
Google
|
$1,300M | Under Construction |
|
Pinopolis Reliability Project (Battery Energy Storage System)
Aypa Power (for Santee Cooper)
|
$1,200M | Planned |
|
Sandy Run Solar Project
RWE Renewables
|
$225M | Planned |
|
Residential Developments (Multiple Projects)
Various
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Bushy Park Combustion Turbine Facility
Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.
|
$65M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Berkeley County scores just 18/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #813 of 996 counties. Job growth at +4.6% and median household income of $77,874 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Berkeley County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $253,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $1,410/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Berkeley County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.9% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +4.6% clip. Home values shifted -0.7% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.46% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Berkeley County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.