North Charleston, SC Demographics

A map of North Charleston's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Black	49,477	46,174	41.3%	40.2%
White	45,521	43,506	38.0%	37.9%
Hispanic	15,471	16,070	12.9%	14.0%
Multiracial	4,835	4,615	4.0%	4.0%
Asian	3,727	3,353	3.1%	2.9%
Native American/Other	882	1,134	0.7%	1.0%

North Charleston, South Carolina has an estimated population of 119,913, an increase from the 114,852 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 41.3% Black, 38.0% White, 12.9% Hispanic, 4.0% Multiracial, 3.1% Asian, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of North Charleston, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

North Charleston has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more 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 North Charleston, that probability was 67.3% in 2020 and 66.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

North Charleston is ranked the 3rd 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). North Charleston was ranked the 3rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

North Charleston's White Population

45,521 residents of North Charleston, or 38.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in North Charleston is significantly lower than in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. North Charleston ranks 367th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, North Charleston's White population has grown by an estimated 4.6%. White residents' share of North Charleston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 38.0%.

North Charleston is more White than neighboring Lincolnville (36.4% White). North Charleston is less White than neighboring Hanahan (69.8% White), Ladson (44.2% White), Goose Creek (56.8% White), and Sangaree (64.9% White).

North Charleston's Black Population

49,477 residents of North Charleston, or 41.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in North Charleston is significantly higher than in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. North Charleston ranks 160th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, North Charleston's Black population has grown by an estimated 7.2%. Black residents' share of North Charleston's population has increased from 40.2% to 41.3%.

North Charleston is more Black than neighboring Hanahan (10.4% Black), Ladson (29.3% Black), Goose Creek (23% Black), and Sangaree (24.7% Black). North Charleston is less Black than neighboring Lincolnville (53% Black).

North Charleston's Asian Population

3,727 residents of North Charleston, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in North Charleston is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. North Charleston ranks 31st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, North Charleston's Asian population has grown by an estimated 11.2%. Asian residents' share of North Charleston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.1%.

North Charleston is more Asian than neighboring Lincolnville (1.7% Asian), and Sangaree (1.7% Asian). North Charleston is less Asian than neighboring Hanahan (4.3% Asian), Ladson (4.6% Asian), and Goose Creek (3.3% Asian).

North Charleston's Hispanic Population

15,471 residents of North Charleston, or 12.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in North Charleston is higher than in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. North Charleston ranks 39th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, North Charleston's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 3.7%. Hispanic residents' share of North Charleston's population has decreased from 14.0% to 12.9%.

North Charleston is more Hispanic than neighboring Hanahan (10.4% Hispanic), Goose Creek (10.7% Hispanic), Lincolnville (3.2% Hispanic), and Sangaree (5.8% Hispanic). North Charleston is less Hispanic than neighboring Ladson (15.3% Hispanic).

North Charleston's Native American/Other Population

882 residents of North Charleston, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in North Charleston is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. North Charleston ranks 127th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, North Charleston's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 22.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of North Charleston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

North Charleston is more Native American/Other than neighboring Sangaree (0.2% Native American/Other). North Charleston is less Native American/Other than neighboring Hanahan (1.1% Native American/Other), Ladson (1.8% Native American/Other), Goose Creek (1.3% Native American/Other), and Lincolnville (3.7% Native American/Other).

North Charleston's Multiracial Population

4,835 residents of North Charleston, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in North Charleston is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. North Charleston ranks 172nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, North Charleston's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 4.8%. Multiracial residents' share of North Charleston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.0%.

North Charleston is more Multiracial than neighboring Lincolnville (2.1% Multiracial), and Sangaree (2.6% Multiracial). North Charleston is less Multiracial than neighboring Ladson (4.7% Multiracial), and Goose Creek (5% 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.