Population 167,201 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Dorchester County
Household size in Dorchester County
| Period | Dorchester County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.75 | 2.61 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.78 | 2.62 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.85 | 2.63 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.69 | 2.51 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | −0.10 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
At 2.69 people per household, Dorchester County sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in the Charleston area overall, where it has 2.51 people. Household size has edged down from 2.75 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other South Carolina county has 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 Dorchester County
| Period | Dorchester County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.7 | 36.2 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.2 | 37.1 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.9 | 38.5 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.3 | 39.2 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.6 | +3.0 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Dorchester County is 38.3 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.7, in line with the national trend. Only one other South Carolina county is 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 Dorchester County
| Period | Dorchester County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.9% | 12.9% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.9% | 12.3% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.2% | 10.5% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.0% | 10.1% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Dorchester County (14.0%), above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.9 points, mirroring the country.
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 Dorchester County
Renters in Dorchester County
| Period | Dorchester County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.0% | 33.8% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 30.0% | 35.4% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.3% | 33.8% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.5% | 30.9% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 24.5% of households in Dorchester County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About a third of owners (32.6%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 1.5 points from 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 Dorchester County
| Period | Dorchester County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 13.5% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 11.6% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 10.7% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 9.9% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Dorchester County than nationally: 7.7%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Vacancy is down 2.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of South Carolina's 46 counties, only two have 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 Dorchester County
| Period | Dorchester County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1991 | 1986 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1992 | 1987 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1994 | 1989 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1999 | 1995 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +9 | +7 | +6 |
Dorchester County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1999, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1991 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the east. Of South Carolina's 46 counties, only four have 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 Dorchester County
| Period | Dorchester County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $992 | $1,002 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,051 | $1,088 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,129 | $1,260 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,575 | $1,767 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$582 | +$765 | +$514 | +$606 |
The median renter in Dorchester County pays $1,575 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in the wider Charleston area ($1,767). Rents are up $582 a month from 2006–10, a 59% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 32.3% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Dorchester County
Bachelor's degrees in Dorchester County
| Period | Dorchester County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.3% | 30.2% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.5% | 32.6% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.9% | 35.9% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.6% | 41.2% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.3 pts | +11.0 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
About three in ten adults 25 and older in Dorchester County (29.6%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 5.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the northwest.
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 Dorchester County
| Period | Dorchester County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.2% | 87.9% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.4% | 89.1% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.9% | 90.9% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.0% | 92.8% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +4.8 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Dorchester County have finished high school (92.0%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 2.8 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Dorchester County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five South Carolina counties.
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 Dorchester County
| Period | Dorchester County | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 7.8% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.4% | 9.5% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 4.3% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 3.6% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | −4.2 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 4.9%, unemployment in Dorchester County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in the Charleston area as a whole (3.6%). Unemployment has fallen 3.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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).
Dorchester 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorchester County | 2.69 | 38.3 | 14.0% | 24.5% | 7.7% | 1999 | $1,575 | 29.6% | 92.0% | 4.9% |
| Berkeley County | 2.64 | 38.4 | 10.5% | 25.5% | 7.4% | 2000 | $1,784 | 33.3% | 92.1% | 3.2% |
| Charleston County | 2.36 | 40.0 | 8.2% | 36.1% | 12.4% | 1990 | $1,834 | 50.7% | 93.4% | 3.4% |
| Colleton County | 2.39 | 42.6 | 16.5% | 26.7% | 14.0% | 1987 | $1,002 | 17.7% | 84.5% | 8.9% |
| Hampton County | 2.48 | 41.4 | 15.9% | 26.6% | 16.1% | 1983 | $822 | 12.4% | 85.0% | 8.6% |
| Allendale County | 2.20 | 45.4 | 14.8% | 38.3% | 17.0% | 1981 | $653 | 15.1% | 79.8% | 8.0% |
| 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% |
| Wilkinson County | 2.51 | 43.9 | 13.4% | 19.5% | 17.9% | 1982 | $831 | 12.1% | 88.7% | 5.0% |
| Jones County | 2.66 | 42.8 | 12.3% | 16.4% | 10.5% | 1990 | $956 | 18.6% | 90.9% | 3.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: McLean County, IL · Beaver County, PA · Greene County, OH · Bibb County, GA · Carolina Municipio, PR · Catawba County, NC · Centre County, PA · Chittenden County, VT · Ector County, TX · Davidson 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 Dorchester 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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