| Charleston Metropolitan Area | |
| Official Name: | Charleston–North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area |
| Settlement Type: | Metropolitan statistical area |
| Map Alt: | Map of Charleston–North Charleston Metropolitan Area |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | South Carolina |
| Subdivision Type2: | Largest city |
| Subdivision Name2: | Charleston |
| Subdivision Type3: | Other cities |
| Unit Pref: | US |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 2590 |
| Population Total: | 799636 |
| Population Rank: | 74th in the U.S. |
| Timezone1: | EST |
| Utc Offset1: | −5 |
| Timezone1 Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset1 Dst: | −4 |
The Charleston metropolitan area is an urban area centered around Charleston, South Carolina. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget designates the area as the Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan statistical area used for statistical purposes only by the United States Census Bureau and other federal agencies. The OMB defines the area as comprising Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, an area with 799,636 residents in the 2020 census.[1] Principal cities include Charleston, North Charleston, and Summerville. The area is commonly referred to as the Tri-County Area or the Lowcountry, though the latter term has historically referred to South Carolina's southern coast in general.
| County | 2021 Estimate | 2020 Census | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston County | |||
| Berkeley County | |||
| Dorchester County | |||
| align=right | Total |
| Rank | City / town | County | 2020 Census | 2010 Census | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston County / Berkeley County | ||||
| 2 | Berkeley County / Charleston County / Dorchester County | ||||
| 3 | Charleston County | ||||
| 4 | Dorchester County / Berkeley County / Charleston County | ||||
| 5 | Berkeley County | ||||
| 6 | Berkeley County | ||||
| 7 | Berkeley County | ||||
| 8 | Charleston County | ||||
| 9 | Charleston County | ||||
| 10 | Charleston County |
As of the census of 2000, there were 549,033 people, 227,957 households, and 161,448 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 65.10% White, 30.80% African American, 0.41% Native American, 1.32% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.38% of the population.
The median income for a household in the MSA was $40,345, and the median income for a family was $47,186. Males had a median income of $33,229 versus $24,118 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $19,037.
Portions of the Charleston, South Carolina metropolitan area (The City of Charleston, The City of North Charleston, The City of Goose Creek, and The City of Hanahan) are home to all branches of the United States Military. During the Cold War, the Naval Base (1902-1996) became the third largest U.S. homeport serving over 80 ships and submarines. In addition, the Charleston Naval Shipyard repaired frigates, destroyers, cruisers, sub tenders, and submarines. Also, the Shipyard was responsible for refueling nuclear subs.
During this period, the Weapons Station was the Atlantic Fleet's load out base for all nuclear ballistic missile submarines. Two SSBN "Boomer" squadrons and a sub tender were homeported at the Weapons Station, while one SSN attack squadron, Submarine Squadron 4, and a sub tender were homeported at the Naval Base. At the 1996 closure of the Station's Polaris Missile Facility Atlantic (POMFLANT), over 2,500 nuclear warheads and their UGM-27 Polaris, UGM-73 Poseidon, and UGM-96 Trident I delivery missiles (SLBM) were stored and maintained, guarded by a U.S. Marine Corps Security Force Company.
In 2010, the Air Force Base (3,877 acres) and Naval Weapons Station (>17,000 acres) merged to form Joint Base Charleston. Today, Joint Base Charleston, encompassing over 20,877 acres and supporting 53 Military Commands and Federal Agencies, provides service to over 79,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, DOD civilians, dependents, and retirees.
L*Passport Service Center, U.S. Department of State