North Charleston

About North Charleston

North Charleston is a thriving, rapidly-growing city in South Carolina's Tri-County Region, and one of the largest cities in the state. Located directly north of Charleston, North Charleston serves as a major center for industry and retail, surpassing every other South Carolina city in terms of retail sales. Historical landmarks, arts and cultural institutions, and excellent amenities have all contributed to attracting new people to the city.

The History of North Charleston

North Charleston got its start early in the 20th century, when it began as a planned industrial community. The E.P. Burton Lumber Co. was the first major industrial presence in North Charleston, followed by the Charleston Naval Shipyard and the General Asbestos and Rubber Co. In 1912, several businessmen purchased the tract of land and began to plan for development. The Park Circle community was among the first to be created, modeled after an English garden-style neighborhood.

Between World War II and the 1960s, many North Charleston locals wanted to have more input when it came to the development of their community, so they began to work toward incorporation. In June 1972, North Charleston was officially incorporated as a city.

Living in North Charleston

There are many reasons people flock to North Charleston. It offers close proximity to the Atlantic coast and easy access to Charleston. Charleston's rich history, particularly its fascinating port and its historical residential district, provide a wide variety of interesting places to explore. There are restaurants, theaters, public parks and other attractions in the area as well.

The Charleston Area Convention Center, North Charleston Coliseum and North Charleston Performing Arts Center are three major venues in the city, hosting a number of events and productions. The Performing Arts Center regularly sees national Broadway shows on its stage, while the Coliseum is home to the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays.

North Charleston's local parks, which include beach parks like Isle of Palms County Park and Folly Beach County Park, fishing piers, marinas, an equestrian center, and several water parks, are also popular spots. If you have a dog, you can visit several off-leash dog parks in the area.

North Charleston Schools

Charleston County School District oversees most of the schools in North Charleston and the surrounding area. You'll also find a number of private schools in the city, many of which are Christian-based campuses.

North Charleston also offers several options for higher education. Charleston Southern University and Trident Technical College are just two of the many colleges, universities and satellite campuses in the area.

Resources for Moving to North Charleston

Here are a few handy resources for planning your move to North Charleston:

• Utilities: North Charleston's major utilities providers include the Charleston Commissioners of Public Works, the North Charleston Sewer District, Dorchester County Water and Sewer, and South Carolina Electric & Gas.
• Garbage and Recycling: You can expect garbage collection on a weekly basis, with your assigned day dependent on your home's location.
• Transportation: The majority of North Charleston is included in the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority network, which offers a number of fixed routes across the city.

North Charleston Housing

You'll find a mix of older and newer homes in North Charleston, including single-family houses, town homes and apartments. North Charleston has attracted many people because it is far more affordable than its neighbor to the south, Charleston. The median home price here is below the national average and less than half of what you can expect to pay in Charleston.