RANK #739 / 1001 NAT · #22 / 24 SC · POP 420,264
1YR FORECAST: -0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
Charleston County, South Carolina, is distinguished by its historic charm, particularly in the city of Charleston, which boasts well-preserved architecture and cobblestone streets. Located on the coast, where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean, the county offers a subtropical climate with mild winters and warm summers, ideal for outdoor activities. Residents and visitors can enjoy miles of beaches, explore numerous parks like James Island County Park, or engage in water-based recreation such as kayaking and fishing in the Lowcountry's waterways. Commuting within the county primarily relies on personal vehicles, though public bus services and free downtown shuttles are available in more urbanized areas.
Life in Charleston County blends coastal living with a growing economy. The area attracts a mix of families, young professionals, and retirees, drawn by the lifestyle and job market. The Charleston County School District, the second-largest in South Carolina, offers a range of educational options, including neighborhood, charter, and magnet schools. Recent economic developments show significant investment in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and defense manufacturing, along with growth in technology and life sciences. These industries contribute to a diverse economic landscape, providing employment opportunities across the region.
Charleston County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +0.3% YoY, population +1.3%, wages +5.8%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.0x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Boeing Investment
Boeing
|
$1,000M | Completed |
|
Roper St. Francis Data Center
Roper St. Francis Healthcare
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Palmetto Commerce Interchange
Charleston County Transportation Development
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Main Road Corridor Improvements
Charleston County Transportation Development
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Highway 41 Corridor Improvements
Charleston County Transportation Development
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Airport Connector Road
Charleston County Transportation Development
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 26/100, Charleston County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $88,494 combined with job growth of +1.8% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Charleston County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $489,100 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.18 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,620/month on average.
Charleston County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.8% clip. Home values shifted +0.3% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.92% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Charleston County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.