North Charleston, South Carolina Income Statistics
North Charleston Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
North Charleston Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | North Charleston | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $64,619 | $69,383 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $47,882 | $52,934 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 6.0% | 5.0% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.3% | 10.5% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 6.1% | 8.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in North Charleston is about 7% lower than in South Carolina. Income has been growing faster in North Charleston (6.0%/yr) than in South Carolina (5.0%/yr).
About 8% of adults in North Charleston earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the South Carolina average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in North Charleston, South Carolina grew by 75.8% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $64,619 in 2024. That's an average of about 6.0% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in North Charleston
| Metric | North Charleston | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.524 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $56,061 | $62,655 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $46,416 | $49,387 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.2% | 21.2% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In North Charleston, it is 0.524, lower than South Carolina's 0.547, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 21% more than women's income in North Charleston, South Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $337,575 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in North Charleston, South Carolina has narrowed from about 18% to 17% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 22% in 2021, and was narrowest at 14% in 2014. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,543 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | North Charleston | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.4% | 11.5% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 2,856 people are unemployed in North Charleston, South Carolina.
The average commute time in North Charleston is 22 minutes, about the same as in South Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in North Charleston, South Carolina has fallen from 11.0% to 4.1% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 12.2% in 2012 and fell as low as 3.9% in 2020.
North Charleston, SC Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How North Charleston, SC compares with the 2 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston, SC | 123,884 | $64,619 #3/3 | 6.0%/yr #1/3 | 4.1% #3/3 | 0.524 #3/3 |
| Hanahan, SC | 21,136 | $84,455 | 5.8%/yr | 2.5% | 0.501 |
| Goose Creek, SC | 42,757 | $89,525 | 5.1%/yr | 2.4% | 0.496 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, North Charleston, South Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with South Carolina, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in North Charleston, South Carolina.
How Rich Is North Charleston, South Carolina?
North Charleston has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $64,619, about 7% lower than the South Carolina average of $69,383.
Are incomes growing in North Charleston, South Carolina?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in North Charleston, South Carolina rose 76%, from $36,756 to $64,619. Over the same years, income here outpaced South Carolina as a whole: +76% against +59%.
What was the median household income in North Charleston in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in North Charleston, South Carolina was $62,827, up 7% from $58,479 in 2022. The South Carolina median that year was $66,973.
What was the median household income in North Charleston in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in North Charleston, South Carolina was $47,669. By 2024 it had risen 36% to $64,619.
What is the Gini coefficient in North Charleston, South Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in North Charleston is 0.524. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in North Charleston, South Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in North Charleston, South Carolina has narrowed from about 18% to 17% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 22% in 2021, and was narrowest at 14% in 2014. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,543 since 2009.
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