Berkeley County, SC

Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 229,861. Its county seat is Moncks Corner, and the largest community is Goose Creek. After two previous incarnations of Berkeley County, the current county was created in 1882. Berkeley County is included in the Charleston, South Carolina metropolitan area.

History

Berkeley County was established in 1682. It was named after John and William Berkeley, co-owners of the Province of Carolina. It became part of the Charleston District in 1769. It did not exist as a District during most of the 19th century and generally was part of the Low Country culture. In 1882, after Democrats regained control of the state legislature following the Reconstruction era, they established the current incarnation of Berkeley County, with its seat at Mount Pleasant. The county seat was moved in 1895 to Moncks Corner. Berkeley is also known for Revolutionary War connections.
The Old Berkeley County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and , or 10.56%, is water.

National protected areas

* Francis Marion National Forest (part)
* Hell Hole Bay Wilderness
* Wambaw Creek Wilderness (part)

State and local protected areas/sites

* Bonneau Ferry Wildlife Management Area
* Canal Wildlife Management Area
* Childsbury Towne Heritage Preserve
* Cypress Gardens
* Hatchery Wildlife Management Area
* Moultrie Hunt Unit Wildlife Management Area
* Old Santee Canal Park
* Site of Francis Marion Tomb
* Wee Tee Wildlife Management Area (part)

Major water bodies

* Cooper River
* Goose Creek Reservoir
* Lake Marion
* Lake Moultrie
* Santee River
* South Santee River
* Wambaw Creek
* Wando River

Adjacent counties

* Georgetown County – east
* Williamsburg County – northeast
* Clarendon County – north
* Orangeburg County – northwest
* Dorchester County – west
* Charleston County – south

Major highways

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Major infrastructure

* Seed Orchard Helibase

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 229,861 people, 80,640 households, and 57,117 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 177,843 people, 65,419 households, and 47,141 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 73,372 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 66.5% white, 25.0% black or African American, 2.3% Asian, 0.6% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.8% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.0% of the population.

Of the 65,419 households, 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.9% were non-families, and 22.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age was 34.5 years.

The median household income was $50,777 and the median family income was $56,869. Males had a median income of $40,534 versus $30,997 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,865. About 9.9% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 142,651 people, 49,922 households, and 37,691 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 54,717 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 68.00% White, 26.63% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.87% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. 2.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.4% were of American, 10.0% German, 8.4% Irish and 7.7% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
Of the 49,922 households 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 19.40% of households were one person and 5.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.15.

The age distribution was 28.00% under the age of 18, 11.70% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.90% 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.20 males.

The median household income was $39,908 and the median family income was $44,242. Males had a median income of $31,583 versus $22,420 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,879. About 9.70% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

County government (as of 2025):

Berkeley County Council:
* District 1: Dan Owens (R)
* District 2: Jarrod Brooks (R)
* District 3: Phillip Obie II (R)
* District 4: Tommy Newell (R)
* District 5: Amy Stern (R)
* District 6: Marshall West (R)
* District 7: Caldwell Pinckney, Jr. (D)
* District 8: Steve Davis (D)

Other Elected Officials:
* 9th Circuit Solicitor: Scarlett A Wilson (R)
* County Auditor: Janet Brown Jurosko (R)
* County Supervisor: Johnny Cribb (R)
* Clerk of Court: Leah Guerry Dupree (R)
* County Coroner: Darnell Hartwell (R)
* Probate Judge: Hon. Keith Kornahrens (R)
* Register of Deeds: Cindy Forte (R)
* Sheriff: S. Duane Lewis (R)
* Treasurer: Carolyn Umphlett (R)

In 2020, Joe Biden received 43.3% of the vote, the best performance for a Democrat since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Economy

In 2022, the GDP of Berkeley County was $10.6 billion (approx. $46,147 per capita). In chained 2017 dollars, its real GDP was $9 billion (about $39,335 per capita). From 2022 through 2024, its unemployment rate has fluctuated around 3%.

, some of the largest employers in the county include Blackbaud, Booz Allen Hamilton, Nucor, Publix, Volvo Cars, and Walmart.

Education

All of the county is in the Berkeley County School District.
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Attractions

* Cypress Gardens
* Mepkin Abbey
* Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center

Communities

Cities

* Charleston (mostly in Charleston County)
* Goose Creek (largest community)
* Hanahan
* North Charleston (partly in Dorchester County and Charleston County)

Towns

* Bonneau
* Jamestown
* Moncks Corner (county seat)
* St. Stephen
* Summerville (partly in Dorchester County and Charleston County)

Census-designated places

* Bonneau Beach
* Ladson (partly in Charleston County and Dorchester County)
* Pimlico
* Pinopolis
* Russellville
* Sangaree

Unincorporated communities

* Bethera
* Cross
* Gumville
* Huger
* Pineville
* Pringletown
* Cane Bay

See also

* List of counties in South Carolina
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Berkeley County, South Carolina
* Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians, state-recognized tribe that resides in the county

References

External links

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Berkeley County history and images

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Charleston–North Charleston–Summerville metropolitan area
1882 establishments in South Carolina
Populated places established in 1882