Population in Charleston, SC

Population in Charleston, SC was 159,423 in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is up 0.4% from 2024. That is the 1st highest of 43 cities in 2025.

2025, persons159,423
Change on 2024+0.4%
Series high159,4232025
Series low151,2252020

Population in Charleston, SC, 2020 to 2025

150K152K154K156K158K160K2020202120222023202420252020: 151,225 persons2021: 152,328 persons2022: 154,665 persons2023: 156,771 persons2024: 158,791 persons2025: 159,423 persons
persons. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual estimates of the resident population for incorporated places, 1 July (Population Estimates Program, subcounty totals). Retrieved 2026-10-12, published 2026-05-14.
All 6 values
Periodpersons
2025159,423
2024158,791
2023156,771
2022154,665
2021152,328
2020151,225

Compared with South Carolina and United States

Place2025
Charleston, SC159,423
South Carolina5,570,274
United States341,784,857

Rankings

Definition

Resident population. Spain and the EU: 1 January, with Spanish figures from the official municipal register (Padrón). Norway: Statistics Norway, 1 January. United States: Census Bureau population estimates for 1 July. United Kingdom regions and local authorities: Office for National Statistics estimates for 30 June. Other countries and the World: World Bank mid-year estimates, which count all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

The World Bank series exists for every country, so use it (through compare) to rank countries on one basis.

How to cite

U.S. Census Bureau. Annual estimates of the resident population for incorporated places, 1 July (Population Estimates Program, subcounty totals). https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/. Retrieved 2026-10-12.

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Questions

What is the population in Charleston, SC?

Population in Charleston, SC was 159,423 in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is up 0.4% from 2024. That is the 1st highest of 43 cities in 2025.

Where does this figure come from?

U.S. Census Bureau. Annual estimates of the resident population for incorporated places, 1 July (Population Estimates Program, subcounty totals). Retrieved by Invokely on 2026-10-12.

What was the highest population in Charleston, SC?

159,423 in 2025, the highest value since 2020 in this series.

Population elsewhere in South Carolina

All statistics for Charleston, SC