Charleston, SC Demographics

A map of Charleston's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	110,737	108,766	71.7%	72.4%
Black	24,319	25,332	15.8%	16.9%
Hispanic	9,351	6,818	6.1%	4.5%
Multiracial	6,118	5,138	4.0%	3.4%
Asian	2,916	3,240	1.9%	2.2%
Native American/Other	897	933	0.6%	0.6%

Charleston, South Carolina has an estimated population of 154,338, a slight increase from the 150,227 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 71.7% White, 15.8% Black, 6.1% Hispanic, 4.0% Multiracial, 1.9% Asian, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Charleston, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Charleston has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than South Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Charleston, that probability was 44.4% in 2020 and 45.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Charleston is ranked the most populous place in South Carolina, out of 475 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Charleston was ranked the 1st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Charleston's White Population

110,737 residents of Charleston, or 71.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Charleston is higher than in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. Charleston ranks 156th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's White population has grown by an estimated 1.8%. White residents' share of Charleston's population has decreased from 72.4% to 71.7%.

Charleston is more White than neighboring Hanahan (69.8% White), and North Charleston (38% White). Charleston is less White than neighboring James Island (81.3% White), Sullivan's Island (96.5% White), and Folly Beach (96.3% White).

Charleston's Black Population

24,319 residents of Charleston, or 15.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Charleston is lower than in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. Charleston ranks 302nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.0%. Black residents' share of Charleston's population has decreased from 16.9% to 15.8%.

Charleston is more Black than neighboring James Island (12.7% Black), Hanahan (10.4% Black), Sullivan's Island (0.4% Black), and Folly Beach (0% Black). Charleston is less Black than neighboring North Charleston (41.3% Black).

Charleston's Asian Population

2,916 residents of Charleston, or 1.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Charleston is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Charleston ranks 61st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Asian population has declined by an estimated 10.0%. Asian residents' share of Charleston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.9%.

Charleston is more Asian than neighboring James Island (0.6% Asian), Sullivan's Island (0% Asian), and Folly Beach (0% Asian). Charleston is less Asian than neighboring Hanahan (4.3% Asian), and North Charleston (3.1% Asian).

Charleston's Hispanic Population

9,351 residents of Charleston, or 6.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Charleston is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Charleston ranks 200th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 37.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Charleston's population has increased from 4.5% to 6.1%.

Charleston is more Hispanic than neighboring James Island (2.1% Hispanic), Sullivan's Island (2.6% Hispanic), and Folly Beach (0% Hispanic). Charleston is less Hispanic than neighboring Hanahan (10.4% Hispanic), and North Charleston (12.9% Hispanic).

Charleston's Native American/Other Population

897 residents of Charleston, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Charleston is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Charleston ranks 252nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 3.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Charleston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Charleston is more Native American/Other than neighboring James Island (0.1% Native American/Other), and Sullivan's Island (0% Native American/Other). Charleston is less Native American/Other than neighboring Hanahan (1.1% Native American/Other), North Charleston (0.7% Native American/Other), and Folly Beach (1.4% Native American/Other).

Charleston's Multiracial Population

6,118 residents of Charleston, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Charleston is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Charleston ranks 252nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charleston's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 19.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Charleston's population has increased from 3.4% to 4.0%.

Charleston is more Multiracial than neighboring James Island (3.1% Multiracial), Sullivan's Island (0.5% Multiracial), and Folly Beach (2.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.