Charleston, SC
Full City Profile · South Carolina · Charleston County County
3.6
/5.0
B+
Good
152,014
Population
1,319/sq mi density
$90,038
Median Income
$58,583 per capita
$469,100
Home Value
$591,821 Zillow
$1,632
Median Rent
31.4% income on rent
67°F
Avg Temperature
359
Violent Crime/100K
2,035 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$90,038 median income, 3.4% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$469,100 home value, $1,632/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
359 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
57.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Charleston enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.3 inches. The area receives 0.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
51°F Jan (10°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 67.2°F |
| 24% above US avg | |
| January Average | 51°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Area | 109.0 sq mi (282.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,319/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.8280°N, 79.9729°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Charleston County County |
| Nearest Airport | Charleston Afb/International (CHS) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 73.5% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0396 ppm |
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 6.6 ppb |
| SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide) | 0.41 ppb |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 7.9 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 22.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 96.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1886 | CHARLESTON, SC | Earthquake | - | - | 8 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51°F (10°C) | 2.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 53°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | |
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 4.9 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 5.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 6.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 78°F (25°C) | 5.3 in | |
| October | 69°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 60°F (16°C) | 2.3 in | Driest |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 in |
Charleston has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 51°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.1") and November the driest (2.3").