North Charleston had 129,245 residents on July 1, 2025, the Census Bureau estimates, up 12.5% since 2020 and third among South Carolina cities.
Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau: the 2010 and 2020 censuses, the Vintage 2025 city population estimates and the 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates. See the city’s Census QuickFacts.
North Charleston had an estimated 129,245 residents on July 1, 2025, the Census Bureau says, making it the third-largest city in South Carolina after Charleston (159,423) and Columbia (147,035). That is 14,393 more people, or 12.5%, than the 114,852 counted in the 2020 census, and nearly a third more than in 2010.
At a glance
- Population: 129,245 (July 1, 2025 estimate); 114,852 (2020 census); 97,471 (2010 census)
- Growth since 2020: 12.5%, about twice Charleston County’s 6.9%
- Median age: 34.6
- Median household income: $62,956
- Households: about 49,185, averaging 2.36 people
- Homes owned by the people who live in them: 49.8%
Growth since 2010
The city grew 17.8% between the 2010 and 2020 censuses. Growth picked up after 2022: the city added 3,050 people in the year to July 2023, 4,641 in the year to July 2024 and 2,694 in the year to July 2025. North Charleston spans Charleston and Dorchester counties; these figures are for the whole city.
Age, income and households
From the 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates (age, income, households and education, housing):
| Measure | North Charleston | Charleston County |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS estimate) | 119,913 | 420,264 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 39.2 |
| Under 18 | 21.9% | 19.5% |
| 65 and older | 12.5% | 17.9% |
| Median household income | $62,956 | $88,494 |
| People below the poverty level | 14.4% | 11.3% |
| Households | 49,185 | 178,975 |
| Average household size | 2.36 | 2.29 |
| Adults 25+ with a bachelor’s degree or higher | 28.6% | 50.3% |
| Housing units | 54,781 | 209,803 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 49.8% | 63.9% |
| Median value, owner-occupied homes | $302,200 | $489,100 |
| Median gross rent | $1,430 | $1,620 |
The ACS figures are averages of surveys taken from 2020 to 2024, so its population total is below the 2025 estimate. Every ACS number has a margin of error, listed in the Census tables.
North Charleston and its neighbors
| Place | 2020 census | 2025 estimate | Change | Median household income (ACS 2020-2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | 114,852 | 129,245 | +12.5% | $62,956 |
| Charleston | 150,227 | 159,423 | +6.1% | $92,414 |
| Mount Pleasant | 90,801 | 95,469 | +5.1% | $124,755 |
| Summerville | 50,915 | 53,177 | +4.4% | $81,046 |
| Goose Creek | 45,946 | 52,010 | +13.2% | $88,178 |
| Hanahan | 20,325 | 22,415 | +10.3% | $87,984 |
| Charleston County | 408,235 | 436,200 | +6.9% | $88,494 |
North Charleston is the youngest of these places by median age except Goose Creek (34.0), and it has the lowest median household income. Fewer than half of its homes are lived in by their owners. Among the neighbors, only Goose Creek grew faster since 2020.
Where the numbers come from
- Census counts (2010 and 2020) are full counts taken every 10 years.
- Population estimates are the Census Bureau’s annual figures for July 1, built from births, deaths and migration since the last census.
- The American Community Survey samples households every year and publishes five-year averages for places of every size, with margins of error.
For home prices see our home prices guide; for schools see the schools guide.
What this means for you
- North Charleston is growing faster than the county and most of its neighbors.
- It is younger than the county, with more renters and lower incomes.
- The next count is the 2030 census; estimates update every spring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of North Charleston, South Carolina?
The Census Bureau estimates North Charleston had 129,245 residents on July 1, 2025. The 2020 census counted 114,852.
Is North Charleston the third-largest city in South Carolina?
Yes, by the Census Bureau’s July 1, 2025, estimates: Charleston had 159,423 residents, Columbia 147,035 and North Charleston 129,245.
How fast is North Charleston growing?
North Charleston grew 17.8% between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, from 97,471 to 114,852, and the Census Bureau estimates it added another 14,393 people, or 12.5%, by July 2025.
What is the median household income in North Charleston?
The median household income in North Charleston was $62,956 in the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey, compared with $88,494 for Charleston County.
What is the median age in North Charleston?
The median age in North Charleston is 34.6, younger than Charleston County’s 39.2, according to the 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
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