Charleston County, South Carolina

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Charleston County
U.S. county
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
Founded	1769
Seat	Charleston
Area
• Total	1,358 sq mi (3,520 km2)
• Land	916 sq mi (2,370 km2)
• Water	442 sq mi (1,140 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	408,235
• Density	445/sq mi (172/km2)
Website	[[1] www.charlestoncounty.org/%20www.charlestoncounty.org]]

Charleston County is located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 408,235, making it the third-most populous county in South Carolina. The county seat is Charleston, which is also the largest city in the county.

History

Charleston County was created in 1769 by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly. The county was named after King Charles II of England. The area has a rich history, including significant events during the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War.

Geography

Charleston County is situated on the Atlantic coast and includes several barrier islands. The county has a total area of 1,358 square miles, of which 916 square miles is land and 442 square miles (32.5%) is water. The Ashley River and the Cooper River are significant waterways in the county.

Adjacent counties

• Berkeley County - north
• Georgetown County - northeast
• Colleton County - west
• Dorchester County - northwest

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Charleston County had a population of 408,235. The population density was 445 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was diverse, with a significant percentage of African American and Caucasian residents.

Economy

Charleston County has a diverse economy that includes tourism, manufacturing, and the military. The Port of Charleston is one of the largest ports in the United States and plays a crucial role in the local economy.

Education

Charleston County is served by the Charleston County School District, which is one of the largest school districts in South Carolina. The county is also home to several higher education institutions, including College of Charleston and The Citadel.

Government and politics

Charleston County is governed by a nine-member county council. The county has historically leaned towards the Republican Party in national elections but has shown a trend towards the Democratic Party in recent years.

Transportation

Charleston County is served by several major highways, including Interstate 26, U.S. Route 17, and U.S. Route 52. The county is also served by the Charleston International Airport.

Communities

Cities

• Charleston
• North Charleston
• Isle of Palms

Towns

• Mount Pleasant
• James Island
• Sullivan's Island

Census-designated places

• Johns Island
• Kiawah Island
• Seabrook Island

See also

• List of counties in South Carolina
• History of Charleston, South Carolina
• Geography of South Carolina
• Economy of South Carolina

External links

• Charleston County official website