A stroll through Charleston reveals a living museum of historic architecture, cobblestone streets, and gas-lit alleyways blended with a vibrant modern culture. From its rich history and Southern hospitality to its award-winning food scene and scenic waterfront, Charleston offers an experience unlike any other city.
Culturally, Charleston is renowned for its well-preserved architecture, historic landmarks, and rich Gullah heritage, alongside vibrant culinary, music, and arts scenes. Popular attractions include the historic City Market, Fort Sumter National Monument, and antebellum homes along the Battery and Rainbow Row.
It has 3 fantastic beaches within easy driving distance of the main historic area, and there's gorgeous architecture wherever you turn. You could spend 2 days in Charleston and have a wonderful time, or you could spend 2 months here. In both situations, you'd never run out of things to do.
The 5 largest ethnic groups in Charleston, SC are White (Non-Hispanic) (70.6%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (17.3%), Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) (2.78%), White (Hispanic) (2.3%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.17%).
7 Things I WISH I KNEW Before Moving to CHARLESTON SC
Why is Charleston so wealthy?
Rice plantations shaped and reshaped the lowcountry geography and economy, making Charleston one of the richest cities in the world, but it was a wealth built primarily on slave labor. Tending History.
Charleston's core tourist areas, it's perfectly safe to walk around during the day and into the evening, as long as you use normal precautions (stay in well-traveled areas, avoid dark empty side streets, etc.).
Who is SC's richest resident of 2025? Earlier this year, the Greenville News reported that two South Carolina residents appeared on Forbes' billionaire list. One of them was Anita Zucker of Charleston, the current CEO of chemical manufacturer InterTech Group founded by late husband Jerry Zucker in 1982.
Our favorite city is also famous for another reason, its walkability. Unlike most major cities in the U.S., Charleston is quite accessible by foot, for those who enjoy walking as their form of transportation. When exploring downtown, you'll almost always see a group of people attending a walking tour.
At worst, capture of a port would allow a British base from which the Regulars and smaller numbers of Loyalists could conduct raids inland. The American Patriots, meanwhile, well understood the importance of Charleston as the largest port and city in the Southern Colonies.
Check out must-see sights and activities: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Middleton Place, City Tours, Day Cruises. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
The Charlestown housing market is very competitive. The median sale price of a home in Charlestown was $1.1M last. The median sale price per square foot in Charlestown is $919, up 7.1% since last year.…
From beachfront estates to historic mansions, discover what makes these places—like Sullivan's Island and Kiawah—the top destinations for the wealthy. Charleston's cobblestone streets and Southern charm are only the beginning.
More than 4,268 people were experiencing homelessness in South Carolina during the 2020 point in time count, with Charleston county ranked the 4th highest in the state for number of individuals experiencing homelessness. Mental health disorders often contribute to or result from housing insecurity.
Is It Expensive to Live in Charleston, SC? Charleston, SC costs a little more than the average U.S. city to live in, but the difference isn't too much. Much of the 11.5% above-average cost of living is due to housing, which runs about 14.8% higher than average.
From transportation and energy to health and technology, the city is a mixture of well-established brands and fast-growing industries in new fields. Several of the top industries supporting Charleston's thriving economy include aerospace, energy, automotive, life sciences, and IT and defense.
Charleston, SC has a slightly higher overall crime rate (35.75 per 1000 people) compared to the national average (33.37 per 1000 people), with both violent and property crime rates also exceeding national averages.
People from all over the world flocked to Charleston for religious freedom, so you'll find several different Protestant denominations in addition to Roman Catholic congregations here.
There's so much to do in the city that spending 3 days is recommended to get the full Charleston experience. From historic sites to restaurants and more, we've got you covered so you can start planning the best Charleston vacation.
With its remarkable history and eclectic mix of fashion, art, antiques, home décor, and extraordinary food, King Street is the most vibrant and distinctive downtown in America. King Street is a perfect blend of local, regional, and national shops that remains the place to be for retailers of all types.
Solo visitors can comfortably explore Charleston using a mix of walking, biking, and the free DASH trolleys. It's safe, compact, and lively — perfect for navigating without a car. If you decide to visit spots beyond downtown, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are always available.
