Charleston Population 2026
Charleston has a population of 132,609, making it the #212 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in South Carolina. It is about 66× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
132,609
Rank in United States
#212
Coordinates
32.78°N, 79.93°W
~6 m elevation · America/New_York
Distance to capital (Washington)
729 km
453 miles, straight line
Other big cities in South Carolina
| City | Population | Rank in United States |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 142,416 | #196 |
| North Charleston | 108,304 | #291 |
| Mount Pleasant | 81,317 | #446 |
| Rock Hill | 71,548 | #534 |
| Greenville | 64,579 | #616 |
| Summerville | 48,848 | #901 |
| Sumter | 40,816 | #1089 |
| Goose Creek | 40,633 | #1096 |
Cities near Charleston
- Mount Pleasant81,317 people · ~7 km away
- North Charleston108,304 people · ~10 km away
- Hanahan17,997 people · ~18 km away
- Goose Creek40,633 people · ~25 km away
- Summerville48,848 people · ~35 km away
- Hilton Head37,099 people · ~99 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Charleston?
Charleston has a population of 132,609 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #212 biggest city in United States.
What state is Charleston in?
Charleston is located in South Carolina, United States.
Is Charleston the capital of United States?
No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 729 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
← All biggest cities in United States · United States population by year