House Plan Realty - Charleston, South Carolina

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Wages

Wages

Climate

Climate

Airport

Airport

Cost of Living

Cost of Living in the Charleston Area

Population

Population Trends

The "Greater Charleston Area"

Here are the areas often considered to be part of the Greater Charleston Area:

Dorchester County
Charleston County
Berkeley County
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West Ashley
James Island
Folly Beach
Johns Island
Wadmalaw Island
Seabrook Island
Kiawah Island
Edisto Island
Edisto Beach
North Charleston
East of the Cooper (Mt Pleasant)
Sullivan's Island
Isle of Palms
Wild Dunes
Dewees Island
Awendaw
Charleston Peninsula
Summerville
Ladson
Hanahan
Goose Creek
Moncks Corner
Pinopolis
Daniel Island
Cainhoy
Wando
Megget
Hollywood
Ravenel
Mcclellanville

"The Islands"

Charleston Islands

Have you ever wondered how the many islands around Charleston got their names? Take a look.

MSNBC Article: Southern Charm in South Carolina

Official Charleston Site

Map of the Area

Events

Taxes and Employement

Hotels

Pet Friendly Hotels

Chris DeLoach, ABR

843-270-1272
877-773-9370 (Toll Free)
Chris @houseplanrealty.com

Population 603,178

Growth rate 9.9%

Median age 35.4

Total area 3163 mi.²

Average household income 57,700

Unemployment rate 5.2%

Visitors each year 5.1 million

Economic impact of tourism 5.4 billion

Reviews of Charleston

Discover Charleston

Parks

Through out the world, Charleston South Carolina and the surrounding areas are recognized for rich culture, beautiful architecture, passionate history and unmatched Southern hospitality. It all began in the spring of 1670 when English and Irish colonists arrived at Albermarle Point on the Ashley River and established “Charles Town” in honor of King Charles II.

Today, Charleston is an incredible place to work and to live.

Whether you enjoy water sports, playing a round of world-class golf, sailing under a colorful spinnaker, watching a professional tennis match, enjoying a carriage ride through the French Quarter, or just taking a leisurely walk on the beach at sunset, the outdoor activities are endless and the weather is great.

Enjoy easy access to miles of pristine beach along the barrier islands. Visit one of our many parks in Charleston's 4,586 acre county park system - truly among the nation’s very best. Explore early settlements at Charlestowne Landing and Fort Dorchester State Parks.

From Fort Moultrie, scene of the first decisive American victory of the Revolution, to Fort Sumter, where the first cannon ball exploded starting the Civil War, to the CS Hunley, the world’s first combat submarine, recently raised from the ocean floor and now on display, for the history buff, Charleston is unmatched. The cobble stone alleys, the horse drawn carriages and the church bells tolling on the hour transport you to a different time as you stroll the streets lined with antebellum homes. The arts fan is rarely disappointed here.

Each spring, it all begins anew with the opening ceremonies of the renowned Spoleto Festival USA on the steps of the Customs House. For a mesmerizing 10 days the city comes alive with the sights and sounds of internationally famous performing artists. Festivals and celebrations continue through out the year as Charleston is a natural choice for enthusiasts of nature, history, arts, and culture.

Plus, Charleston boasts numerous art galleries, museums, landmark churches and open-air markets. Even Charleston itself is a living museum, filled with beautifully preserved 18^th century homes and plantations. If sports are your interest, Charleston is represented by great semi-pro soccer, baseball, hockey, basketball and indoor football teams.

Our economy is diverse and strong so employment opportunities abound. In recent years, the Charleston area, especially Berkeley County, has successfully expanded an already diverse industrial base.

Major employers include the Medical University of South Carolina, the U.S. Navy and Air Force, area hospital systems, Westvaco Corporation, Robert Bosch Corporation, and the Charleston Ports. During the last decade, Charleston's median family income increased 54%. Home sales last year alone soared to 18,870 with sales increasing by 49% in just four years.

As you would expect for a city of such beauty, tourism plays a major role in our economy also. For the 14th consecutive year,Conde' Nast Traveler Magazine honored Charleston in the Top 10 travel destinations (#3) in North America. Plus, for the 11th consecutive year, Charleston has been ranked the #1 best mannered city in the nation.

Quality educational institutions such as The Medical University of South Carolina, The College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University, and The Citadel attract top students worldwide.

Our public education system has been recognized nationally for innovation, progress and high standards. South Carolina is now ranked 3rd in the nation for numbers of Nationally Board Certified Teachers - the highest credential available in the teaching profession.

This is a wonderful place to live, to work and to raise a family. In recent years, more and more people are discovering this is also a great place to retire. I don’t know of any other place that offers so much.

Discover Charleston!

Firsts for America

Charleston Firsts:

First European settlement – 1526

First slave revolt – November 1526

First American-built ship to cross the Atlantic – 1563

First public library – November 16, 1700

First professional female artist – 1707

First opera performed – February 18, 1735

First fire insurance company – February 3, 1736

First building constructed solely for use as a theater – February 12, 1736

First systematic, scientific recording of weather information – April 1737

First major slave insurrection – September 9, 1739

First musical society – 1762

First cotton exported to England – 1764

First public museum – January 1773

First black Baptist Church – 1773

Oldest municipal Chamber of Commerce in continuous operation – December 9, 1773

First business publication – July 30, 1774

First independent government in the colonies – March 1776

First major naval battle of the Revolutionary War – June 28, 1776

First treaty between two US states – May 20, 1777

First eminent architect born in America – 1781

First golf club – September 29, 1786

First cotton mill – 1789

First ice transported commercially – 1799

First tea planted – 1802

First fireproof building – 1823

First Reform Jewish Congregation – November 21, 1824

First regularly scheduled rail passenger service – December 25, 1830

First municipal college – 1836

First trial in a worker's compensation lawsuit – July 1838

First building to be used solely as a college library – May 6, 1840

First patent for a mechanical refrigerator – May 6, 1851

First state to secede – December 20, 1860

First shot fired in the Civil War – January 9, 1861

First black Civil War regiment – November 1862

First black to earn a Medal of Honor – July 18, 1863

First submarine to sink a ship in battle – February 17, 1864

First black state supreme court associate justice – February 1, 1870

First commercial tea farm – 1890

First totally electric textile plant – 1893

First textile school established in a college – 1899

First rivetless cargo ship – February 1930

First Historical Zoning Ordinance – Oct 13, 1931

First US senator elected by write-in vote – November 2, 1954

First Independent Flag of the Colonies - 1775
First Golf Course - 1786
First Music Store - 1819
First Female Pirate
First Fire proof Building
First Landscaped Gardens
First Drug Store
First Artificial Ice

Charleston Trivia

Charleston has a long list of accolades and an even longer list of admirers. Here is a sample of some ratings that underscore why Charleston is loved by hosts of residents and visitors alike.

#1 Best Mannered City in America (etiquette expert Marjabelle Young Stewart)

#2 Best Retirement Cities (Macmillan Travel)

#2 Top Cities for Small Business (Entrepreneur and D&B)

#3 Best City for Family Vacations (Family Fun magazine - Disney publication )

#3 Best US City to Visit (Conde Nast)

#3 Best Retirement Place (AARP)

#3 Best Retirement Places (Retirement Places Rated)

#4 Top Ten Cities in the United States (Travel and Leisure Magazine)

#4 Best Places to Retire (Sperling’s Best Places)

#5 Best Places to Reinvent Your Life (AARP)

#6 Best Golf Town in America (Golf Digest)

The New York Times - Charleston is the, "new capital for regional cuisine"

Reader’s Choice Awards from Southern Living Magazine: Dream Getaway, Historic Site, Romantic Getaway, and Weekend Getaway

Rated among Forbes “Finest Places”

Has 2 of the 100 greatest golf courses in the world (Golf Magazine)

“…among the nation's best” cities for golf (Golf Digest).

Outside Online: Charleston is one of, "The New American Dream Towns"

Neighborhoods

West Ashley neighborhoods include Albemarle Point, Ashley Bridge District, Ashley Harbor, Ashley Hall, Avondale, Byrnes Down, Carolina Bay, Charlestowne Estates, Edgewater Park, Farmfield, Grand Oaks Plantation, Hunt Club, Maclaura Hall, Moreland, Northbridge Terrace, Oak Forest, Parkshore, Parkwood Estates, Poplar Grove, Sandhurst, Shadowmoss, Schievling Plantation, South Windermere, Stone Creek, The Crescent, Stono Ferry, Village Green, Wappoo Heights, Wespanee Plantation and Windermere. James Island neighborhoods include Affirmation Oaks, Country Club Estates, Fort Johnson Estates, Harbor Woods, Lawton Bluff, Lighthouse Point, Marlborough, Parrot Bluff, Parrot Creek, Riverland Terrace, Seaside Plantation, Stiles Point Plantation and Woodward Point. Johns Island neighborhoods include Chisolm Green, Gift Plantation, Grimball Gates, Headquarters, Hope Plantation/ Kiawah River Estates, Rushland, Shoreline Farms and Villages in St. Johns Woods. North Charleston neighborhoods include Antler Point, Lake Palmetto, Mixson Ave, Northwoods Estates, Oak Terrace Preserve, Park Circle, Runnymeade Farms and The Elms. Goose Creek neighborhoods include Brickhope Greens, Coker's Crossing, Crowfield Plantation, Devon Forest, Kennsington, Liberty Hall and Longleaf. Moncks Corner neighborhoods include Berkeley Country Club, Foxbank Plantation, Moss Grove Plantation, Pimlico, Spring Grove Plantation and Stoney Creek. Hanahan neighborhoods include Dominion Hills, Eagle Landing, Hanahan Plantation, Indigo Island Reserve, Otranto and Tanner Plantation. Wando/Cainhoy neighborhoods include Beresford Commons, Beresford Creek Landing, Beresford Hall, Nelliefield Plantation, Peninsula, River Reach Point and Shell Ring. The Charleston Area Beaches include the communities of Edisto Beach, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Sullivans Island and Wild Dunes Resort. Mount Pleasant neighborhoods include Belle Hall, Brickyard Plantation, Center Lake, Charleston National, Darrell Creek, Dunes West, Grassy Creek, Hamlet Square, Hamlin Plantation, Hobcaw Creek, Hidden Cove, Hidden Lakes, Horlbeck Creek, I’on, Ivy Hall, Longpoint, Molasses Creek, Olde Park, Old Village, Park West, Planter’s Point, Raven’s Run, Rivertowne, Seaside Farms, Snee Farm, Sweetgrass and Wakendaw. Summerville neighborhoods include Archdale, Ashborough, Ashborough East, Branch Creek, Brandymill, Briarwood, Bridges of Summerville, Brookwood, Cantering Hills, Cedar Grove, Coosaw Creek, Corey Woods, Crestwood, FieldView, Gadsden, Gahagan, Historic District, Highwood Plantation, Huntington Farms, Indian Springs, Indigo Field, Irongate, Kings Grant, Legend Oaks, Marsh Hall, Myers Mill, Newington, Pine Forest Country Club, Plum Creek, Quail Arbor, Reminisce, Sangaree, Scott’s Mill, Shepard Park, South Pointe, Southern Magnolias, Summer Trace, Summerville Place, Summerwood, Tea Farm, The Farm, The Glen at Summerset, The Refuge, The Summit, Trotters Ridge, Villas at Charleston Park, Walnut Farms, Weatherstone, Westcott Plantation, White Gables, Whitehall and Windsor Hill. Daniel Island neighborhoods include Barfield Park, Center Park, Cochran Park, Codner's Ferry Park, Daniel Island Park, Etiwan Park, Pierce Park and Smythe Park. Historic Charleston neighborhoods include Ansonborough, Cannonborough, Elliotborough, French Quarter, Hampton Park, Harleston Village, Mazyck-Wraggborough, Radcliffeborough, South of Broad and Wagener Terrace.