Berkeley County

As of the 2020 Census, Berkeley County, SC, has a population of approximately 229,861. The racial composition is 67.78% White, 21.75% African American, 1.64% Asian, 0.48% Native American, 5.04% from other races, and 3.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals account for 9.58% of the population. The county has 89,969 households, with an average household size of 2.78. The median household income is $66,598, and the poverty rate stands at around 10.7%. Educational attainment shows that 89.3% are high school graduates, with 27.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher.

As of 2023, Berkeley County, SC, has a median home value of approximately $305,000. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,200 per month. The homeownership rate stands at 75%, with an annual property tax rate of about 0.63%. The area has experienced a year-over-year home price increase of 7.8%. Berkeley County boasts a growing population, currently estimated at 240,000, and strong demand for housing driven by economic growth and local amenities.

Berkeley County, South Carolina, typically participates in various elections, such as federal, state, and local elections.

For 2022, the key electoral contests included county council races, school board elections, and state legislative positions. In county council elections, several seats were contested. Notably:

• District 2 saw Republican Josh Whitley running unopposed.
• District 4 featured Republican Tommy Newell also running unopposed.
• District 6 had Republican Steve Davis challenged by Independent Tim Callanan.

The Berkeley County School Board elections included multiple contested seats, reflecting local concerns about education policies.

At the state level, Berkeley County voters participated in races for the South Carolina House of Representatives. For example, District 15 saw Republican Samuel Rivers Jr. against Democrat Jay Jordan.

Local election results and candidate lists can be found on the Berkeley County official website or the South Carolina Election Commission website for detailed information.

As of the most recent data, Berkeley County, SC, has a high school graduation rate of approximately 89%, which is slightly above the national average of around 85% and aligns closely with the South Carolina state average. About 23% of Berkeley County residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of approximately 32% and the state average of roughly 27%. The county's education system includes a mix of public, private, and charter schools, along with Trident Technical College, providing vocational and higher education opportunities. In general, Berkeley County's educational attainment is slightly below the national average when it comes to higher education but demonstrates a robust high school completion rate.

As of the most recent data available, Berkeley County, SC, boasts a relatively low unemployment rate of around 3.2%, below the national average of 3.7% and the state average of 3.4%. The county's workforce is approximately 100,000 strong.

Top industries in Berkeley County include manufacturing, healthcare, retail trade, and construction, with manufacturing and healthcare being particularly prominent. Manufacturing employs about 18% of the workforce, significantly higher than the national average of 10%, bolstered by major employers such as Boeing and Volvo. Healthcare and social assistance make up around 14%, lower than the national level of 16%.

Retail trade, contributing 12%, is comparable to the national average of 11%. Construction employs about 8%, also higher than the national average of 6%, reflecting the county’s rapid growth and development. Overall, Berkeley County shows a strong industrial base with manufacturing leading the economic landscape.

As of the latest data, Berkeley County, SC has an average household income of approximately $67,500. In comparison, the national average household income is around $97,000, while South Carolina's average is about $60,000.

Berkeley County's average income is higher than the state average but significantly lower than the national average. This suggests a relatively higher economic standing within the state context yet a dependency on broader national economic improvements for continued growth.

As of the most recent data, Berkeley County, SC has a crime rate that reflects various types of criminal activity. Here's a brief overview in terms of incidents per 100,000 people:

Berkeley County has a higher property crime rate compared to violent crime. Efforts to improve public safety continue, focusing on community policing and crime prevention initiatives. This data can vary yearly, so it's crucial to refer to the latest reports for updated information.