Charleston County

Here are current, high-level demographics for Charleston County, South Carolina.

Population

• Total population (2023 est.): about 425,000
• 2020 Census: 408,235

Age

• Under 18: ~20%
• 65 and over: ~18%

Gender

• Female: ~51–52%
• Male: ~48–49%

Race and ethnicity

• White alone: ~68–69%
• Black or African American alone: ~26–27%
• Asian alone: ~2%
• American Indian/Alaska Native: ~0.5%
• Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: ~0.1%
• Two or more races: ~3–4%
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): ~7%
• White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: ~63–64%

Households

• Number of households: ~170,000–175,000
• Persons per household: ~2.35

Notes and sources: Figures rounded for clarity. Population estimate is from the U.S. Census Bureau (2023 estimate). Age, gender, race/ethnicity, and household metrics reflect U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts and ACS 2018–2022 5-year estimates for Charleston County, SC.

Charleston County, SC email usage (estimates)

• Estimated users: 360,000 residents age 13+ use email, ~84% of the total population (425,000 in 2023).
• Age distribution of email users:
  • 13–17: ~6%
  • 18–24: ~12%
  • 25–34: ~18%
  • 35–44: ~16%
  • 45–54: ~14%
  • 55–64: ~14%
  • 65+: ~20%
• Gender split: ~52% women, ~48% men (mirrors county demographics).
• Digital access trends:
  • About 93% of households have a computer and ~89% have a broadband subscription (ACS 2018–2022), supporting widespread email adoption.
  • Fiber and high-speed cable are strongest in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and North Charleston; rural edges (e.g., Edisto, McClellanville) lag but are improving as fiber builds expand.
  • Smartphone reliance is common; most adults check email daily (Pew), with mobile access prominent among lower-income users.
  • Strong public connectivity via library branches, schools, and municipal hotspots; major campuses (College of Charleston, MUSC) and tourist corridors bolster Wi‑Fi availability.
• Local density/connectivity: Population density ~460 per sq. mile; urban core enjoys robust 4G/5G and multi-gig options, aiding high email engagement.

Sources: U.S. Census/ACS (Charleston County), Pew Research Center (email/internet use), FCC broadband maps.

Below is a concise, decision‑useful snapshot of mobile phone usage in Charleston County, South Carolina, with emphasis on how it differs from statewide patterns. Figures are estimates synthesized from national and state trends, urban-county differentials, and Charleston’s known demographics and infrastructure profile.

Executive snapshot

• Overall penetration: Very high. Charleston County’s smartphone adoption and 5G usage run ahead of South Carolina averages, reflecting its higher income, younger mix, tech/hospitality economy, and dense urban core.
• Digital divide: Still present in parts of North Charleston and in the rural northern/western edges (Awendaw/McClellanville, Wadmalaw/Johns Island), but less pervasive than in many rural SC counties.
• Network quality: Mid-band 5G coverage and small-cell density in the urban core materially exceed the state norm; rural pockets remain variable.

User estimates (2024–2025, directional)

• Population base: ~430,000 residents in Charleston County.
• Smartphone users: ~360,000–390,000 residents (roughly 90–92% of residents age 13+), higher than SC average (≈85–88%).
• Mobile-only internet households: ~14–17% in Charleston County vs ~20–23% statewide. Better fixed broadband options in the county reduce smartphone‑only reliance.
• Device mix: iPhone share directionally higher (≈60–65%) than SC overall (≈55–60%), consistent with higher incomes/education.
• Plan mix: Prepaid share lower (≈15–20%) than SC overall (≈25–30%); premium unlimited and multi‑line family plans more common.
• Usage intensity: Heavier mobile data consumption than state average in the urban/tourist core; pronounced seasonal spikes (spring/summer tourism, major events, hurricane season).

Demographic breakdown and usage patterns

• Age: More 18–44 year‑olds than the SC average, lifting smartphone, mobile payments, ride‑hail, food‑delivery, and short‑form video usage. Student populations (College of Charleston, The Citadel, MUSC) and military personnel (Joint Base Charleston) push high iOS adoption and campus‑centric app use.
• Income/education: Above‑state medians correlate with higher 5G handset penetration, more tethering/hotspot use for hybrid work, and lower prepaid share.
• Lower‑income areas: North Charleston and rural islands show higher “smartphone as primary internet” reliance than the county average, but still modestly below the statewide rate due to comparatively better wireline options.
• Race/ethnicity: Longstanding Black communities and Gullah/Geechee areas in rural north/islands experience more coverage variability and affordability gaps than suburban Mount Pleasant/West Ashley; targeted subsidy uptake (ACP when available) and carrier prepaid promotions play a larger role in these tracts than countywide.

Digital infrastructure highlights (where Charleston differs from SC overall)

• 5G footprint and quality
  • All three nationals (AT&T, T‑Mobile, Verizon) have broad 5G in the dense core; mid‑band (e.g., 2.5 GHz, C‑band/3.45 GHz) is notably pervasive in Charleston/North Charleston/Mount Pleasant relative to statewide norms.
  • Small‑cell and DAS density is higher downtown (historic district corridors), at the airport (CHS), North Charleston Coliseum/Convention Center, hospital campuses (MUSC, Roper, Trident), and large venues—exceeding typical SC deployments.
  • Rural north and sea‑island edges show more variable mid‑band reach; low‑band 5G/LTE predominates in these pockets.
• Fixed broadband competition (important for mobile substitution)
  • Extensive cable (Xfinity) and significant AT&T fiber in populated areas reduce smartphone‑only households and temper FWA uptake compared to much of SC.
  • Verizon/T‑Mobile fixed wireless access is available countywide but tends to be a niche alternative in fiber/cable‑served neighborhoods; stronger relative uptake on the fringes.
• Capacity management and seasonality
  • Tourism events (Spoleto Festival, Cooper River Bridge Run), cruise/port activity, beach towns (Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s, Folly), and weekend nightlife corridors drive predictable, time‑bound mobile congestion; carriers deploy temporary cells (COWs/COLTs) more frequently than in many SC counties.
• Public safety and resilience
  • High adoption of FirstNet (AT&T Band 14) among public safety; hurricane preparedness leads to more hardened macro sites, generator backup, and pre‑staged deployables than the state average inland.
• Zoning/urban form
  • Historic preservation constraints favor discreet small cells/DAS over tall macros in the peninsula, producing denser, lower‑power node grids than typical SC cities.

How Charleston usage trends differ from South Carolina overall

• Higher smartphone and 5G handset penetration; earlier adoption of mid‑band 5G.
• Lower reliance on smartphone‑only internet due to stronger wireline competition.
• More iOS and postpaid premium plans; lower prepaid share.
• Heavier venue‑ and tourism‑driven traffic spikes; more small‑cell/DAS buildouts to handle them.
• More enterprise/BYOD usage in healthcare, hospitality, and port/logistics; hotspot/tethering and eSIM uptake above state norms.
• Digital divide is more about pockets within the county (islands/rural north, parts of North Charleston) than countywide shortfalls; statewide gaps are more rural and pervasive.

Watch‑outs and planning implications

• Capacity: Continue small‑cell densification and mid‑band overlays in downtown, beach corridors, and event venues to manage seasonal peaks.
• Equity: Target affordability, device upgrade, and digital literacy efforts in rural/island tracts and lower‑income North Charleston neighborhoods; prioritize reliable indoor coverage for multifamily housing.
• Resilience: Maintain enhanced backup power and rapid‑deploy playbooks for hurricane season; coordinate with port and airport for surge events.
• Competition: Expect wireline fiber expansion to further suppress smartphone‑only households and limit FWA to edge areas, even as mobile data usage keeps rising.

Note: Figures are directional estimates intended for planning; for precision, validate with the latest ACS S2801 (device/subscription), FCC coverage maps, carrier 5G build disclosures, and county venue deployment data.

Charleston County, SC — social media snapshot (short)

How many users (modeled)

• Population: ~420,000; adults (18+): ~336,000.
• Adults using at least one major social platform: roughly 70–80% ≈ 235,000–270,000. Note: Percentages below are estimates applying Pew Research Center’s 2024 U.S. adoption rates to the Charleston County adult population.

Most‑used platforms (share of adults; modeled)

• YouTube: 83% (275–285k adults)
• Facebook: 68% (225–235k)
• Instagram: 50% (165–175k)
• Pinterest: 35% (115–125k)
• LinkedIn: 33% (105–115k)
• TikTok: 33% (105–115k)
• Snapchat: 30% (95–105k)
• X (Twitter): 22–27% (75–90k)
• WhatsApp: 21–23% (70–80k) Note: Nextdoor has a meaningful footprint in homeowner neighborhoods (Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, James/Johns Island), but reliable public adoption percentages aren’t available; usage skews 30+ and homeowners.

Age patterns (local implications)

• 18–29: Very heavy on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube; Facebook used mainly for events/marketplace.
• 30–49: Facebook and YouTube dominant; Instagram strong; TikTok growing; LinkedIn active among professionals.
• 50–64: Facebook primary; YouTube and Pinterest strong; Nextdoor/Facebook Groups for neighborhood info.
• 65+: Facebook and YouTube lead; Nextdoor/Facebook Groups for local news, services, and safety updates.

Gender skews (mirrors national)

• More women: Pinterest (strongly), Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat.
• More men: YouTube, Reddit, X, LinkedIn.
• Facebook and Instagram are still close to balanced overall, with a slight tilt toward women; LinkedIn and Reddit tilt male.

Behavioral trends specific to Charleston County

• Hyperlocal groups rule: Heavy reliance on Facebook Groups/Nextdoor for traffic, school updates, flooding/hurricane info, lost-and-found pets, and neighborhood services.
• Event discovery and FOMO: Instagram/TikTok Stories and Reels drive attendance for Spoleto Festival USA, SEWE, Charleston Wine + Food, Cooper River Bridge Run; Facebook Events still widely used.
• Tourism + hospitality amplification: High volume of visitor UGC around historic downtown, beaches, restaurants; Instagram/TikTok influence dining and activity choices; strong role for Google Maps reviews + IG geotags.
• Food and lifestyle content: Local influencers and restaurants perform well with short-form video, before/after renovations, and “hidden gem” lists.
• Seasonal spikes: Hurricane season (Aug–Oct) pushes engagement with local news (Post and Courier, Live 5, ABC News 4), emergency management, and municipal accounts; storm/flood updates dominate.
• College segment: College of Charleston and The Citadel students skew to Instagram/Snapchat/TikTok; late-evening and weekend engagement peaks; campus and nightlife content drives shares.
• Real estate and relocation: Inbound movers use Facebook Groups and YouTube neighborhood walkthroughs; high interest in schools, commute, and flood zones; Nextdoor adoption higher among homeowners.

Sources and method

• US Census Bureau 2023 population estimates (for base counts).
• Pew Research Center, Social Media Use in 2024 (for platform adoption rates). Local figures are modeled by applying national rates to Charleston County’s adult population; treat as directional, not exact.