CHARLESTON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

In 2000, according to the Census Bureau, Charleston County, SC was home to nearly 310,000 residents. It is South Carolina’s third most heavily populated county. Charleston County is also part of a three county area that makes up the Charleston Metropolitan Statistical Area. This tri-county area includes Berkeley and Dorchester counties. Census estimates in 2005 suggest this massive region is home to nearly 600,000 individuals. Cities and towns encompassing Charleston County, SC include Awendaw, Folly Beach, Hollywood, Isle of Palms, James Island, Kiawah Island, Lincolnville, McClellanville, Meggett, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Ravenel, Rockville, Seabrook Island, Sullivan's Island and Wadmalaw Island.

The city of Charleston, population 96,650, serves as the seat and center of commerce for Charleston County. Charleston, SC also exists within portions of the county of Berkeley. Charleston is a lovely colonial city with all the charms of early America. The historic downtown area features cobblestone streets surrounded with lines of beautiful oak trees that often host horse-drawn carriage tours. Museums such as the Gibbes Museum of Art and the Charleston Museum, along with historic sites that include Fort Sumter and the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, bring thousands of tourists to the area each year. Additional sites of interest in Charleston include the Audubon Swamp Garden, Charles Towne Landing, Cypress Gardens and the South Carolina Aquarium.

Charleston County, South Carolina boasts a thriving economy driven primarily by technology and tourism. The city of Charleston is home to the world’s second largest port, which makes significant contributions to the region’s financial base. Charleston, SC boasts a dynamic biotechnology and medical research community, where, until recent years, the Medical University of South Carolina provided the bulk of local jobs. In addition, the military operations in the area provide a wealth of career and education opportunities for Charleston County, SC residents. Since 2004, the SPAWAR (US Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command) facility surpassed the medical community as Charleston Metropolitan Area’s largest employer. In 2000, the median household income for Charleston County, South Carolina was $37,810; the national average in 2000 was $41,994.

Residents in the Charleston County communities have many opportunities for a well-rounded lifestyle complete with picturesque scenery and a temperate, subtropical climate. The cost of living is affordable, there is a wealth of housing possibilities and the rate of crime is low. Students in Charleston County, SC at the primary and secondary levels also have a top-notch public school system and several private schoo l options from which to choose. Facilities for higher learning in Charleston County include the Charleston School of Law, Charleston Southern University, the Citadel, the College of Charleston, the Charleston campus of ECPI College of Technology, Medical University of South Carolina and Trident Technical College.

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