The 2010 census counted 664,607 people in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, about 116,000 more than in 2000, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures released Wednesday.
The bureau delivered South Carolina’s detailed redistricting data to the governor and legislative leaders, the first look at population counts for cities, towns and other small areas.
Charleston was the state’s second-largest city, with 120,083 residents, up 24.2% since 2000, the bureau said. Columbia remained the largest at 129,272, up 11.2%. North Charleston ranked third with 97,471 people, up 22.4%.
Mount Pleasant grew fastest of the five largest places, up 42.5% to 67,843. That made it fourth, ahead of Rock Hill’s 66,154.
Charleston County had 350,209 residents, third among the state’s counties behind Greenville and Richland. It grew 13% over the decade, the bureau said.
The two suburban counties grew faster. Berkeley County reached 177,843 people, up from 142,651 in 2000, a gain of about 25%, according to census counts. Dorchester County reached 136,555, up from 96,413, a gain of nearly 42%.
Together the three counties grew about 21%.
Summerville, which spans Dorchester, Berkeley and Charleston counties, counted 43,392 residents, up 56% from 27,752 in 2000, census figures show. Goose Creek grew 23% to 35,938.
Housing kept pace in the largest county. Charleston County had 169,984 housing units, up 20.5% from 141,031 in 2000, census figures show.
The redistricting file also includes counts by race, Hispanic origin and voting age. State lawmakers will use the data to redraw congressional and legislative districts, the bureau said.
