How long is the commute from Charleston, SC?
Workers who live in Charleston, SC take an average of 24.2 minutes to get to work (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
66.2% of workers drive alone to work.
0.7% take public transportation.
3.5% of workers walk to work.
19.4% work from home.
7.2% of households have no vehicle.
Figures last updated on .
- Average commute
- 24.2 minutes (±1.0)
- Public transportation
- 0.7%
- Work from home
- 19.4%
- Households without a car
- 7.2%
How people in Charleston get to work
| Means of transportation | Charleston | Charleston County | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone | 66.2% (±2.0 points) | 69.0% | 76.3% | 68.8% |
| Carpooled | 7.2% (±1.2 points) | 8.5% | 8.5% | 8.5% |
| Public transportation | 0.7% (±0.4 points) | 0.9% | 0.4% | 3.2% |
| Walked | 3.5% (±0.5 points) | 1.9% | 1.6% | 2.4% |
| Other means (bicycle, taxi, motorcycle) | 3.0% (±0.8 points) | 2.0% | 1.7% | 2.0% |
| Worked from home | 19.4% (±1.6 points) | 17.7% | 11.5% | 15.1% |
In Charleston, the average commute is not measurably different from Charleston County (25.1 minutes).
It is also lower than in South Carolina (25.6 minutes).
It is lower than the national figure (26.4 minutes).
In Charleston, the share commuting by public transportation is not measurably different from Charleston County (0.9%).
It is not measurably different from South Carolina (0.4%).
It is lower than the national figure (3.2%).
In Charleston County, Charleston ranks 14 of 16 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest average commute.
Statewide, it ranks 235 of 376.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Cars per household in Charleston
| Vehicles available | Charleston | Charleston County | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 7.2% (±0.9 points) | 5.9% | 5.7% | 8.4% |
| 1 vehicle | 38.2% (±1.7 points) | 36.3% | 32.2% | 33.1% |
| 2 vehicles | 41.0% (±1.7 points) | 40.4% | 38.5% | 36.6% |
| 3 or more vehicles | 13.6% (±1.1 points) | 17.4% | 23.6% | 21.9% |
In Charleston, the share of households without a vehicle is higher than in Charleston County (5.9%).
It is also higher than in South Carolina (5.7%).
It is lower than the national figure (8.4%).
Working from home and internet access in Charleston
| Charleston | Charleston County | South Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers working from home | 19.4% (±1.6 points) | 17.7% (±0.9 points) | 11.5% (±0.2 points) | 15.1% |
| Households with a computer | 97.5% (±0.6 points) | 96.3% (±0.4 points) | 94.5% (±0.1 points) | 95.5% |
| Households with broadband internet | 92.8% (±1.1 points) | 88.9% (±0.8 points) | 88.8% (±0.2 points) | 91.0% |
In Charleston, the share of households with a broadband subscription is higher than in Charleston County (88.9%).
It is also higher than in South Carolina (88.8%).
It is higher than the national figure (91.0%).
Average commute in places near Charleston
| Place | Distance | Average commute | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | — | 24.2 minutes (±1.0) | — |
| Mount Pleasant | 6.4 mi | 24.9 minutes (±1.2) | Not measurably different |
| James Island | 6.7 mi | 22.5 minutes (±2.2) | Not measurably different |
| Hanahan | 7.3 mi | 23.9 minutes (±1.3) | Not measurably different |
| North Charleston | 8.2 mi | 24.5 minutes (±0.8) | Not measurably different |
| Sullivan's Island | 9.1 mi | 17.6 minutes (±2.0) | Lower |
| Folly Beach | 11 mi | 26.9 minutes (±7.7) | Not measurably different |
| Goose Creek | 12 mi | 26.7 minutes (±1.6) | Higher |
| Isle of Palms | 13 mi | 27.9 minutes (±4.1) | Not measurably different |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Sullivan's Island, SC (17.6 minutes).
Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Goose Creek, SC (26.7 minutes).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Average commute across Charleston County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Average commute |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Isle of Palms | 27.9 minutes (±4.1) |
| 9 | Ravenel | 27.6 minutes (±6.9) |
| 10 | Folly Beach | 26.9 minutes (±7.7) |
| 11 | Rockville | 25.5 minutes (±6.5) |
| 12 | Mount Pleasant | 24.9 minutes (±1.2) |
| 13 | North Charleston | 24.5 minutes (±0.8) |
| 14 | Charleston | 24.2 minutes (±1.0) |
| 15 | James Island | 22.5 minutes (±2.2) |
| 16 | Sullivan's Island | 17.6 minutes (±2.0) |
Showing 9 of 16 places in Charleston County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Charleston
How long is the average commute in Charleston?
Workers who live in Charleston, SC take an average of 24.2 minutes each way (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Can you live in Charleston without a car?
7.2% of households in Charleston have no vehicle, and 0.7% of workers commute by public transportation.
How many people work from home in Charleston?
19.4% (±1.6 points) of workers who live in Charleston worked from home, and 92.8% of households have a broadband subscription.
Sources
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Charleston city, South Carolina
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Charleston city, South Carolina
- Selected Social Characteristics (DP02), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Charleston city, South Carolina
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Charleston city, South Carolina (place:13330, in state:45).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP03_0018E, DP03_0018M, DP03_0025E, DP03_0025M, DP03_0019PE, DP03_0019PM, DP03_0020PE, DP03_0020PM, DP03_0021PE, DP03_0021PM, DP03_0022PE, DP03_0022PM, DP03_0023PE, DP03_0023PM, DP03_0024PE, DP03_0024PM, DP04_0058PE, DP04_0058PM, DP04_0059PE, DP04_0059PM, DP04_0060PE, DP04_0060PM, DP04_0061PE, DP04_0061PM, DP02_0153PE, DP02_0153PM, DP02_0154PE, DP02_0154PM
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
Related
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- Renters and owners in Charleston
- Income and affordability in Charleston
- Home values in Charleston
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- Property taxes in Charleston
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- Population growth in Charleston
- How long people stay in Charleston
- Crowding and facilities in Charleston
- Fair Market Rent in Charleston
- South Carolina landlord and tenant rules
- Housing across Charleston County
- South Carolina places ranked by commute time
- Housing data for every place in South Carolina