Population 246,802 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Berkeley County
Household size in Berkeley County
| Period | Berkeley County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.78 | 2.61 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.78 | 2.62 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.77 | 2.63 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.64 | 2.51 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.14 | −0.10 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
Households in Berkeley County average 2.64 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is bigger than in the Charleston area overall, where it has 2.51 people. Household size has dropped from 2.78 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only four of South Carolina's 46 counties have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Berkeley County
| Period | Berkeley County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.6 | 36.2 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.1 | 37.1 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.4 | 38.5 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.4 | 39.2 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.8 | +3.0 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
Berkeley County is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 38.4, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 34.6, mirroring the country. Of South Carolina's 46 counties, only two are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Berkeley County
| Period | Berkeley County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.6% | 12.9% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.5% | 12.3% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.2% | 10.5% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.5% | 10.1% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Berkeley County (10.5%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 3.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Berkeley County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five South Carolina counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Berkeley County
Renters in Berkeley County
| Period | Berkeley County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.6% | 33.8% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 30.5% | 35.4% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.1% | 33.8% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.5% | 30.9% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
About a quarter of households in Berkeley County rent their homes (25.5%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 34.5% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the southeast; owners are most common in the center. The renter share has fallen 4.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Berkeley County
| Period | Berkeley County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.4% | 13.5% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 11.6% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.3% | 10.7% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.4% | 9.9% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.0 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Berkeley County: 7.4% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 6.0 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other South Carolina county has a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Berkeley County
| Period | Berkeley County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1990 | 1986 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1992 | 1987 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1994 | 1989 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2000 | 1995 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +9 | +7 | +6 |
Berkeley County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2000, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1990 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Only one other South Carolina county has newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Berkeley County
| Period | Berkeley County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $946 | $1,002 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,047 | $1,088 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,215 | $1,260 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,784 | $1,767 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$838 | +$765 | +$514 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Berkeley County costs $1,784 a month with utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $838 a month from 2006–10, an 89% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 31.8% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Berkeley County
Bachelor's degrees in Berkeley County
| Period | Berkeley County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.9% | 30.2% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.0% | 32.6% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.5% | 35.9% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 33.3% | 41.2% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +12.4 pts | +11.0 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Berkeley County (33.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in the Charleston area overall (41.2%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 12.4 points, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Berkeley County
| Period | Berkeley County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.9% | 87.9% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.4% | 89.1% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.9% | 90.9% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.1% | 92.8% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | +4.8 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Berkeley County is a bit above the national rate: 92.1% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 4.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of South Carolina's 46 counties, only three have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Berkeley County
| Period | Berkeley County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.7% | 7.8% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.7% | 9.5% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.9% | 4.3% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.2% | 3.6% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.5 pts | −4.2 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Berkeley County has been strong: just 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other South Carolina county has lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 4.5 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Berkeley County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley County | 2.64 | 38.4 | 10.5% | 25.5% | 7.4% | 2000 | $1,784 | 33.3% | 92.1% | 3.2% |
| Dorchester County | 2.69 | 38.3 | 14.0% | 24.5% | 7.7% | 1999 | $1,575 | 29.6% | 92.0% | 4.9% |
| Colleton County | 2.39 | 42.6 | 16.5% | 26.7% | 14.0% | 1987 | $1,002 | 17.7% | 84.5% | 8.9% |
| Allendale County | 2.20 | 45.4 | 14.8% | 38.3% | 17.0% | 1981 | $653 | 15.1% | 79.8% | 8.0% |
| Burke County | 2.70 | 39.0 | 18.1% | 30.0% | 17.0% | 1982 | $834 | 15.7% | 81.8% | 4.8% |
| Jefferson County | 2.63 | 41.5 | 17.6% | 31.9% | 17.6% | 1983 | $709 | 13.3% | 85.1% | 5.4% |
| Washington County | 2.62 | 41.3 | 19.8% | 35.5% | 17.2% | 1982 | $817 | 17.1% | 84.2% | 8.6% |
| Baldwin County | 2.36 | 39.0 | 14.5% | 38.9% | 17.4% | 1987 | $961 | 25.5% | 87.2% | 6.4% |
| Jones County | 2.66 | 42.8 | 12.3% | 16.4% | 10.5% | 1990 | $956 | 18.6% | 90.9% | 3.8% |
| Monroe County | 2.77 | 41.2 | 9.2% | 16.2% | 9.3% | 1994 | $988 | 26.6% | 90.8% | 2.9% |
| Lamar County | 2.59 | 40.7 | 10.9% | 24.3% | 9.1% | 1987 | $839 | 19.5% | 89.6% | 3.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Yuma County, AZ · York County, ME · Yolo County, CA · Yavapai County, AZ · Weber County, UT · Webb County, TX · Atlantic County, NJ · Sussex County, DE · Butte County, CA · Johnston County, NC
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Berkeley County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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