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Charleston has roughly 150,000 residents, with a white majority and a historically central African American community. The Lowcountry region is home to the Gullah/Geechee people, descendants of enslaved Africans who preserved their own language, cuisine, and traditions in areas such as James Island, Johns Island, and Wadmalaw Island.

Over the past decade, the city has seen a wave of domestic migration from the American Northeast and California, drawn by the climate, lower cost of living, and jobs in tech and industry. The Hispanic community is still proportionally small in the urban core but is growing rapidly in North Charleston and Summerville.

English is dominant, but Spanish is heard increasingly in North Charleston and working-class neighborhoods. Religious traditions range from historic Episcopal and Baptist churches, some of the oldest in the country, to Catholic parishes and newer evangelical congregations.

Downtown and South of Broad are the most expensive and sought-after areas, with colonial homes that can cost millions of dollars. Rental apartments exist in the center, but prices are high. Neighborhoods such as Wagener Terrace, Hampton Park Terrace, and Wraggborough offer somewhat more accessible options while still on the peninsula.

West Ashley, James Island, and Johns Island sit just across the rivers and concentrate families and young professionals in single-family homes and townhouses. Daniel Island and the neighboring city of Mount Pleasant are the premium options, with strong school districts and proximity to the water.

North Charleston and Summerville are more affordable alternatives, with many new apartment complexes. Most leases are annual, with standard deposits and requirements for proof of income and U.S. credit history. New arrivals without an established credit history often need a co-signer or a larger deposit.

Higher education in Charleston centers on the College of Charleston, founded in 1770 and one of the oldest institutions in the United States; the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), a leading health sciences university; and The Citadel, a traditional military college. Charleston Southern University and Trident Technical College in North Charleston round out the offerings.

The public system is the Charleston County School District, one of the largest in the state, with well-regarded magnet schools such as Academic Magnet High School and School of the Arts. Quality varies considerably across neighborhoods, and many families use the magnet and charter school systems to choose a school outside their home zone.

Traditional private schools such as Porter-Gaud, Ashley Hall, and Bishop England High School carry high academic reputations along with high tuition. ESL programs in public schools are available where Hispanic immigrant populations are concentrated.

Charleston has the profile of a tourist city with a well-patrolled and safe Downtown, day and night, especially in areas with bars, restaurants, and hotels. Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, West Ashley, and James Island are considered quiet, family-friendly neighborhoods.

Areas that warrant more caution include parts of the Upper Peninsula, around Reynolds Avenue in North Charleston, and certain pockets of the East Side, where thefts and nighttime incidents are more frequent. These are not areas to avoid during the day but call for attention after dark.

Traffic is the greatest practical risk: rapid expansion has left major corridors such as Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, Folly Road, and Coleman Boulevard congested during peak hours. For hurricanes, the city maintains clear evacuation routes and an active emergency plan.

Summer is long and heavy, with highs near 91°F (33°C) from June through September and very high humidity. Convective storms in the late afternoon are nearly daily, and air conditioning is essential in every home and vehicle.

Winter is short and mild, with highs around 61°F (16°C) in January and lows rarely dropping below freezing. Snow is rare, and a medium-weight coat handles most cold days between December and February.

Hurricane season runs from June through November, peaking between August and October. Charleston maintains an active evacuation plan, and residential insurance typically covers storm damage. Spring is the most pleasant season, with azaleas and dogwoods in bloom.

The tourist heart is the circuit running from the Battery and White Point Garden through Rainbow Row, Meeting Street, and the Charleston City Market. Along the way stand historic churches such as St. Michael's and St. Philip's, and museums including the Gibbes Museum of Art and the International African American Museum (IAAM), which opened in 2023.

For nature and beach, Folly Beach is the local favorite, Sullivan's Island is more family-oriented, and Isle of Palms offers dunes and good restaurants. Historic plantations such as Boone Hall, Magnolia Plantation, and Middleton Place illuminate the region's agricultural past and the history of slavery.

The Charleston Tea Garden on Wadmalaw Island and the South Carolina Aquarium round out the itinerary. For those interested in military history, Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, is accessible by ferry from Liberty Square.