Charleston continues to rank among the Southeast’s fastest-growing housing markets, but the story behind that growth is evolving. Population gains remain strong, yet the types of households forming — and the needs of future buyers — are beginning to shift in meaningful ways.
For home shoppers, understanding how Charleston is growing helps explain why certain home types are becoming more common and why demand continues to stay strong even as the population ages.
Population Growth Remains Strong — but the Region Is Aging
Charleston’s population grew from approximately 803,000 in 2020 to 865,000 in 2024, with nearly another 9% growth expected by 2029. At the same time, the region’s demographics are gradually shifting older. The share of residents age 65 and older has increased from 16% to more than 17% and is projected to reach 19% by 2029.
An aging population doesn’t necessarily slow housing demand, but it does influence the types of homes and communities buyers are looking for.
Household Growth Is Driving Housing Demand
What matters most for housing is that household growth is outpacing overall population growth. Charleston added more than 27,000 new households between 2020 and 2024, with another 34,000 or more expected by 2029.
Most of these households are smaller in size. One- and two-person households already make up nearly two-thirds of the market, and by 2029, the fastest-growing group is expected to be householders age 75 and older.
For buyers, this helps explain why demand remains strong even when inventory feels tight — more households are forming, even as average household size declines.
What This Means for Buyers
As Charleston grows, buyers may notice more homes designed for smaller households or aging-in-place needs. Rapid household formation can also make inventory feel limited, since new demand is entering the market quickly.
Importantly, a maturing population does not mean housing demand is slowing. Instead, demand is shifting toward different home sizes, layouts, and community features.
The Bottom Line
Charleston’s growth story is less about rapid population expansion and more about changing household needs. As the market evolves, flexible housing types, smaller floorplans, and thoughtfully designed communities are likely to play a larger role in meeting future demand.
The insights in this article were taken from more in-depth demographic reports published in Zonda’s National Outlook.
