Charleston Employment and Economic Development

Container ship in Charleston Harbor going under the Ravenel Bridge.The economic outlook for Charleston continues to be strong based on a very well-balanced financial foundation. Charleston is blessed with a combination of thriving industry, tourism, medical research and development, banking, trucking, real estate and sea trade. This tri-county region (Charleston, Berkley and Dorchester), is home to 670,000 people. Charleston ranks in the top three in states for doing business, business environment, and business climate in a survey conducted this year by consultants. Also, Under30CEO.com (2013) ranked Charleston #3 in Best City for young entrepreneurs. 

Fast Facts:

  • 303,000 - Size of Charleston's labor force in the Tri-County area
  • 113% Growth in computer science and math fields from 2000-2012
  • Top 5 Fastest growing job sectors in Charleston are: Computer and Mathematical, Health Care Practitioners and Technical occupations, Architecture and Engineering, Business and Financial and Personal Care and Service
  • 4.9 million visitors in 2012 up 8% over 2011
  • Conde Nast voted Charleston No. 1 city in the World in 2012 
  • Conde Nast voted Charleston No. 1 destination in the U.S.
  • Travel and Leisure voted Charleston No. 1 city in the U.S. and Canada
  • USTA voted Charleston "Best Tennis Town"
  • Best Hospitals U.S. News and World Report National: Ranked in 2 Specialities 2013-14
  • Best Children's Hospitals: Ranked in 3 Specialities 2013-14
  • MUSC is #1 hospital in the state and top 25% nationwide for Cancer, Cardiology, Diabetes, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Neurology, Orthopaedics, Pulmonology and Urology.

Technology Job Openings in Charleston area

Some of the areas fastest growing companies are Barling Bay, Level Wing, Select Health of South Carolina, Pegasus Steel, SCRA, Lindbergh & Associates, UEC Electronics, eGroup, and Sabal Homes.

The South Carolina Ports Authority alone bolsters the economy by $45 billion each year, with one of America’s busiest container-cargo facilities, with up to 2,000 ships Charleston's port at night.entering the port each year. There is also a busy service for car-carrying vessels from the BMW plant up state, as well as break-bulk ships and cruise lines. Plans are to deepen Charleston Harbor to accommodate the massive Post-Panamax ships more than 1,000 feet long, which can carry nearly 15,000 twenty-foot containers each.

Tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry in Charleston, which in 2012 was named by Conde-Nast magazine as the number one destination in the entire world. With five-star restaurants, world-class golf courses, pristine beaches and America’s greatest collection of historic buildings, the tourists are not going elsewhere any time soon, and with more and more flights into Charleston International Airport, such as the new direct service to Boston with Jet Blue, the city is more accessible to tourists than ever.

Industry thrives in South Carolina’s tax-friendly and right-to-work environment, and the Boeing Corporation is the latest of a number of major companies to relocate plants here with their 777 Dreamliner facility in North Charleston. Other major contributors to the local economy are Bayer, Bosch, and Westvaco.

With so much to enjoy in Charleston, it brings a demand for goods that have kept the trucking industry a major local player, and a traditionally- strong market in historic and luxury homes has been a big boost for realtors as well as bankers, and occupancy levels in downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant are surging.

The Medical University of South Carolina has been a major contributor in the fields of cancer research and immunology, and had among its distinguished research professors the late Albert Sabin, who helped save millions of lives in polio research.

The strong economic core helps provide an enviable array of consumer services in the many fine clothiers, restaurants, boutiques and galleries that are also a vibrant aspect of the city’s economy, and downtown areas such as Midtown have boomed in recent years with new stores and shops and a pulsating energy that shows business is good.

Featured Listings

Look at our Latest listed properties and check out the features on them. Contact Us today to schedule a showing any day of the week.

  • 7555 Ladys Secret Lane Awendaw $1,950,000.00

    7555 Ladys Secret Lane · Awendaw

    More photos soon. New construction on deep water with amazing sunset views! If you are looking for a

    $1,950,000.00 View Now
  • 150 Newton Road Summerville $515,000.00

    150 Newton Road · Summerville

    SELLER HIGHLY MOTIVATED! NO HOA! Available for a quick close. Hidden private gem! Welcome to coun

    $515,000.00 View Now
  • 453 Sea Rocket Court Kiawah Island $1,995,000.00

    453 Sea Rocket Court · Kiawah Island

    This recently renovated three-bedroom, two-bath cottage is located just off Eugenia Avenue in the Oc

    $1,995,000.00 View Now
  • 3896 James Bay Road Johns Island $594,000.00

    3896 James Bay Road · Johns Island

    Price Reduced PLUS Seller is offering a 2/1 Mortgage Buy down. Don't let interest rates get in th

    $594,000.00 View Now
  • 5887 Ryans Bluff Road North Charleston $950,000.00

    5887 Ryans Bluff Road · North Charleston

    Gorgeous Home on deep Water at all the time on the Ashley River with own Boardwalk to the River, Doc

    $950,000.00 View Now
  • 1210 Lake Mallard Boulevard Mount Pleasant $625,000.00

    1210 Lake Mallard Boulevard · Mount Pleasant

    Location, location, location! 1210 Lake Mallard is in a prime spot, just minutes to Sullivans Islan

    $625,000.00 View Now
  • 301 W Hudson Ave NULL Folly Beach $1,200,000.00

    301 W Hudson Ave NULL · Folly Beach

    Who's ready for the best investment on Folly? Steel frame construction. Original plans available. G

    $1,200,000.00 View Now
  • 102 Annie Circle Summerville $540,000.00

    102 Annie Circle · Summerville

    Welcome to this exquisite home nestled in the heart of Summerville, South Carolina. This stunning 4-

    $540,000.00 View Now
  • 305 Flowering Peach NULL Charleston $539,000.00

    305 Flowering Peach NULL · Charleston

    QUICK MOVE IN!! READY LATE 2023!New Under Construction Condominium by New Leaf Builders. This is the

    $539,000.00 View Now
  • 1757 Omni Boulevard Mount Pleasant $2,079,000.00

    1757 Omni Boulevard · Mount Pleasant

    Location, location, location ....Estate waterfront home minutes from beaches and town on just under

    $2,079,000.00 View Now