North Charleston, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
North Charleston is the 3rd largest city in the U.S. state
of South Carolina
with incorporated areas in Berkeley
, Charleston
, and Dorchester counties. On June 12, 1972 the city of North Charleston incorporated and was the 9th largest city in South Carolina. According to the 2010 Census, North Charleston has a population of 97,471 with a current area of more than 76.6 square miles (198.4 km²). As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, North Charleston is included within the Charleston – North Charleston – Summerville metropolitan area and the Charleston-North Charleston urban area. The city is considered one of the state's major industrial cities and it is the state's major retail center.
, this area was occupied primarily by plantations. Some of the plantations located in what is now North Charleston were:
The large plantations were continually subdivided into smaller farms as the population began moving northward. After the Civil War, phosphate fertilizer plants began to spring up, with extensive strip mining occurring between the Ashley River and Broad Path (Meeting Street Road). The main route for transportation of these phosphates would eventually become known as Ashley Phosphate Road.
was established with agreements between the Federal Government and local Charleston city leaders. Shortly thereafter, the General Asbestos and Rubber Company built the world's largest asbestos mill under one roof.
In 1912, a group of businessmen from the city of Charleston formed a development company that bought the E.P. Burton Lumber Company tract and began to lay out an area for further development. The Park Circle area was one of the first to be designed and developed, allocating sections for industrial, commercial, and residential usage. Park Circle was planned as one of only two English Garden Style communities in the US and most of the original planning concept remains today. Some of the streets in the area still bear the names of these original developers: Durant, Buist, Mixon, Hyde, and O'Hear. During World War II, substantial development occurred as the military bases and industries expanded and people moved to the region to be closer to where they worked.
From World War II through the 1960s, many people who lived in this region (referred to by Charlestonians as the North Area) were unhappy about the way parts of their community were being developed. They wanted the citizens in the area to have direct control over future development. Many of their attempts to create an independent city were defeated via court rulings. As a means of bringing government closer to the people, an incorporation referendum was held on April 27, 1971. On June 12, 1972, after a series of legal battles, the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld the referendum results and North Charleston became a city with John E. Bourne Jr. as its first mayor.
In February 1973, North Charleston had doubled its area through annexation, and in March expanded into Berkeley County. In May 1973, the city launched its new police department, which included 21 officers and six cars. By the end of North Charleston’s first year, the population had increased from 22,000 to 53,000.
Through continued growth that included 20 churches, a 62 store shopping mall and other large tracts of residential neighborhoods, the city became the 3rd largest city in South Carolina on July 3, 1976.
On June 12, 1982, North Charleston had a population of 65,000 in a 30.5 miles (49.1 km) area. In ten short years the city's growth rate was 250 percent. It had made $15 million in capital investments; $1.95 million invested in parks and recreation facilities, and $2.28 million in economic development.
By 1986, North Charleston's population had reached 78,000 residents spanning 47 square miles (121.7 km²). A monument to honor Vietnam veterans was erected and dedicated in front of City Hall, where it stood for over 20 years before being moved to Patriots Point in 2008. The city celebrated its 15th anniversary the next year, marked by such events as the opening of the Northwoods Center shooping complex and the appearance of a beach in the middle of the city with the opening of Treasure Lake.
In September 1989, Hurricane Hugo
brought devastation to the area, causing over $2.8 billion in damage to the South Carolina Lowcountry.
In 1991, John E. Bourne, Jr. lost his bid for a sixth term as mayor to Bobby Kinard, who became the city's second mayor. Kinard's tenure as mayor was tumultuous and was marked by repeated conflict with the City Council, who went so far as to strip Kinard of his mayoral powers during a council meeting. Kinard would resign in 1994 on the grounds that his relationship with the council was damaged irreparably.
The area saw welcome expansion in 1993 when a squadron of the C-17 Globemaster III
aircraft was established at Charleston Air Force base. The North Charleston Coliseum
opened and the South Carolina Stingrays
of the ECHL
began play later that year.
Following Bobby Kinard's resignation in 1994, R. Keith Summey was elected the city’s third mayor to fill the vacant seat.
However, in the early 1990s, with the resolution of the Cold War and impending defense budget cuts, the Charleston Navy Base was once again on the chopping block. In 1993, the Charleston Naval Base was given a closure date of April 1, 1996. With an annual expenditure of approximately 1.4 Billion dollars the closing of the base was a blow to the entire Tri-County economy. Over the years, billions of dollars had flowed into the region's economy and hundreds of thousands of jobs were provided to military and civilian personnel, the vast majority being civilians. Many military personnel who worked at or passed through the base returned to the city to retire. Following the closure of the Charleston Naval Base and the Charleston Naval Shipyard, parts of the base and dry-docks were leased out to various government and private businesses. Community parks for North Charleston were established on old base grounds, to include Riverfront Park.
After years of development, community input and revisions, the Noisette Community Master Plan for the old naval base was finalized in a contractual agreement in early 2004. The plan sought to preserve historic architectural styles, neighborhood diversity and the area’s unique social fabric. It also intended to restore environmental stability and beauty, attract jobs, improve services like education and health care, reduce dependence on car travel, promote recreation, eliminate the foundations of crime and poverty, and strengthen residents' sense of pride.
In the following years, however, the plan failed to come to fruition. In 2005, city officials discovered that Noisette had borrowed $3 million against land on the former base without their knowledge. The next year, Noisette borrowed $23.7 million from Capmark Investing Group, using the majority of its remaining land on the base as collateral. Noisette failed to make timely repayment to Capmark, and the property went into foreclosure. Representatives of Noisette insisted at the time that they would be able to repay Capmark and make good on their vision for redeveloping the old Navy base.
Discussion between city and state officials regarding the industrial development of remaining portions of the former base stalled in 2009 primarily due to a dispute over rail access to a proposed intermodal terminal that would occupy the central portion of the area. Representatives of the state government sought to have rail access from both the north and south. This notion was directly contradicted by Mayor Summey, who insisted that the northern rail access be abandoned to avoid heavy rail traffic through the slowly revitalizing Park Circle neighborhood.
In October 2009, Boeing Aircraft announced the selection of North Charleston for its new 787 Dreamliner aircraft assembly and delivery prep center. This positioned North Charleston as one of the major aircraft centers of the world and paved the way for thousands of new jobs to provide quality work for residents of the city and the entire Tri-County area.
In a tragic series of events in June 2010, former mayor Bobby Kinard committed suicide after dealing with depression in the aftermath of his experiences in the Vietnam War
. In December of that year, a Delaware corporation with ties to former state Commerce Secretary Bob Faith bought the largest parcel (approximately 240 acre (0.9712464 km²) at the north end of the former base) of Noisette land. The corporation then transferred the deed for that land to the state's Commerce Department's Public Railways Division, giving them the impetus to move forward with their proposed rail yard with northern and southern access despite Mayor Summey's objections. The North Charleston mayor announced his intent to file a lawsuit against the state Commerce Department on the grounds that their plan violated the city's agreement with the State Ports Authority that no rail be run through the north end of the former base.
(Boeing
), Toulouse, France (Airbus
) and Voronezh
, Russia
(Ilyushin
).
North Charleston continues to be the State’s leader in retail sales for the sixteenth consecutive year. In calendar year 2007, gross retail sales exceeded $6.15 billion and surpassed its nearest competition, Columbia, South Carolina, by over $2 billion.
The city continues to expand its inventory of 4-star hotel accommodations. By the end of 2009, North Charleston had 7,246 rooms available for visitors to this region of South Carolina.
North Charleston is the home to the Global Financial Services - Charleston (US State Dept), located at the old Naval Station. Global Financial Services - Charleston is responsible overall for more than 200 bank accounts in over 160 countries and 169 different currencies. In 2005, it disbursed over $10 billion and purchased over $3 billion in foreign currency.
As part of an initiative by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide mail order prescriptions to veterans using computerization, at strategic locations, North Charleston is home to a Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy
(CMOP).
Since the construction of Palmetto Commerce Parkway, many businesses (including Venture Aerobearings, Daimler Vans Manufacturing, Cummins Turbo, and the VTL Group) have located and invested hundreds of millions of dollars in North Charleston’s local economy. Industrial hubs, such as this one, continue to provide high paying jobs in the area’s economy.
in the Coastal zone just north of Charleston
in South Carolina. According to the 2010 United States Census, the city has a total area of 76.6 square miles (160.8 km2).
of 2000, there were 79,641 people, 29,783 households, and 18,971 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,360.6 people per square mile (525.3/km2). There were 33,631 housing units at an average density of 574.5 per square mile (221.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 49.41% African American, 44.76% White, 0.44% Native American, 1.59% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.78% from other races
, and 1.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.97% of the population.
There were 29,783 households out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.0% were married couples
living together, 22.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city, the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 13.4% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,307, and the median income for a family was $32,868. Males had a median income of $26,681 versus $20,718 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,361. About 19.9% of families and 23.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.8% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.
system with the mayor acting as the chief administrator and the executive officer of the municipality. The mayor also presides over city council meetings and has a vote, the same as other council members. City government moved into a new, more centrally located city hall in 2009, centralizing offices that had been in numerous locations across the city.
The two departments were again merged in 1996 to become the North Charleston Fire Department. There were 10 fire stations, 10 engines, 3 ladder trucks and 2 squads at that time.
In the past 13 years, the department has grown to include new technology and new training. They have thermal imagers in each station, a confined-space rescue team, a hazardous materials team, a marine firefighting team, and each firefighter in the department is trained to a minimum of IFSAC Firefighter One.
Since 1999, the overall crime rate of North Charleston has begun to decline. The total violent crime index rate for North Charleston for 1999 was 1043.5 crimes committed per 100,000 people, with the United States average at 729.6 per 100,000. North Charleston had a total violent crime index rate of 612.4 per 100,000 for the year of 2009, versus a national average of 429.4 per 100,000.
According to the Congressional Quarterly Press 2009 City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America, North Charleston ranked as the 22nd most dangerous American city larger than 75,000 inhabitants. However, the entire Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville Metropolitan Statistical Area had a lower overall crime rate ranking at #35.
The 2010 Congressional Quarterly Press list of America's 400 most dangerous cities placed North Charleston at #63, a significant drop from the previous year. The homicide rate alone decreased by 61%, and the lower crime rate removed North Charleston from the company of such cities as Detroit
and St. Louis
, placing it more in line with average, medium-sized Southern cities like Columbia
and Chattanooga
. City officials attributed the drop to the hard work of the North Charleston Police Department and the cooperation of city residents.
and the Charleston Air Force Base
provide commercial and military air service for the region. The airport currently serves more than 1.1 million passengers annually and 14.9 million pounds of freight with a total of 108,438 flights. Commercial airlines include American Airlines
, Continental Airlines
, Delta Air Lines
, Northwest Airlines
, Southwest Airlines
, United Express
, and US Airways
. Airtran
previously provided service to the International Airport but ceased on December 3, 2009, citing concerns that the route was no longer "economically viable". Southwest Airlines
began local service March 13, 2011.
, Norfolk Southern, the CSX System and the South Carolina Railroad Commission provide passenger and freight rail service in North Charleston.
will consolidate a new train station, long haul and CARTA (local bus service)
at one location.
system, operated by the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority
(CARTA). The majority of the city is served by regional fixed route buses which are also equipped with bike racks as part of the system's Rack & Ride program.
Rural parts of North Charleston and the Tri-County metropolitan area are served by a different bus
system, operated by Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Rural Transportation Management Association (BCD-RTMA).
, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Bon Secours-St Francis Xavier Hospital and Roper Hospital, located in Charleston.
The East Cooper Regional Medical Center, located in Mount Pleasant
, is another local hospital serving residents.
(now Jenkins Institute For Children) left the city of Charleston and moved to 3923 Azalea Drive in what is now the city of North Charleston. The Institute is renowned for its contributions to the welfare of its charges and the Jenkins Orphanage Band.
The Performing Arts Center, the North Charleston Coliseum, the Charleston Area Convention Center are owned by the city of North Charleston and managed by SMG. Together with the co-located Embassy Suites
hotel, they help create an entertainment and cultural complex that serves the city of North Charleston and the entire region.
, an ECHL
(minor league professional ice hockey) team, have been affiliated with the Washington Capitals
of the National Hockey League
since 2004. The Stingrays play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum
.
Beach parks:
Fishing piers:
Marinas and boat landings:
Day parks:
Water parks:
Off-leash dog parks are offered at James Island, Palmetto Islands, and Wannamaker County Parks.
North Charleston is home to Charleston Southern University
and Trident Technical College
, Main Campus. In North Charleston, near the airport, the Lowcountry Graduate Center
offers satellite campus access to some of South Carolinas' most prestigious universities. Clemson
, University of South Carolina
, Medical University of South Carolina
, The Citadel
and the College of Charleston
all working together to provide lowcountry residents with access to graduate degree programs together in one convenient location. Webster University
maintains two locations, one at the Charleston AFB and another just off of International Blvd.
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Navy
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
with incorporated areas in Berkeley
Berkeley County, South Carolina
Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,651. The 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 151,673. Its county seat is Moncks Corner....
, Charleston
Charleston County, South Carolina
Charleston County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. According to a 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, its population was 330,368. Its county seat is Charleston. It is the third-most populous county in the state . Charleston County was created in 1901 by an act of the South...
, and Dorchester counties. On June 12, 1972 the city of North Charleston incorporated and was the 9th largest city in South Carolina. According to the 2010 Census, North Charleston has a population of 97,471 with a current area of more than 76.6 square miles (198.4 km²). As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, North Charleston is included within the Charleston – North Charleston – Summerville metropolitan area and the Charleston-North Charleston urban area. The city is considered one of the state's major industrial cities and it is the state's major retail center.
The plantations (1680–1901)
From the 17th century until the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, this area was occupied primarily by plantations. Some of the plantations located in what is now North Charleston were:
- Archdale Hall Plantation - dating from 1680, Archdale Hall was located on the Ashley RiverAshley River (South Carolina)The Ashley River is a blackwater / tidal river in South Carolina, rising from the Wassamassaw and Great Cypress Swamps in western Berkeley County. It consolidates its main channel about five miles west of Summerville, widening into a tidal estuary just south of Fort Dorchester...
. By 1783, it had grown to almost 3000 acres (12.1 km²). Its primary crops were indigo and rice. The plantation was the longest family owned plantation in South Carolina. It has since been redeveloped into the Archdale subdivision. (note: Archdale subdivision is not in corporate city limits of, but is surrounded by North Charleston)
- Camp Plantation - dating from 1705, Camp Plantation covered around 1000 acres (4 km²).
- Elms Plantation - dating from 1682, Elms Plantation was founded by Ralph Izard. Its principal crop was rice. It covered nearly 4350 acres (17.6 km²), stretching across parts of what are now the cities of Goose Creek and North Charleston. Charleston Southern UniversityCharleston Southern UniversityCharleston Southern University, founded in 1964 as Baptist College, is an independent comprehensive university located in North Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston Southern enrolls a maximum of 3,200 students. Affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, the university's mission is...
is located on part of the original plantation lands.
- French Botanical Garden - established between 1786 and 1796, this small plantation/garden area of 111 acre (0.44920146 km²) was owned and maintained by the French botanist André MichauxAndré MichauxAndré Michaux was a French botanist and explorer.-Biography:Michaux was born in Satory, now part of Versailles, Yvelines. After the death of his wife within a year of their marriage he took up the study of botany and was a student of Bernard de Jussieu...
. It was closed by Michaux's son in 1803. The garden was located near what is today the Charleston International AirportCharleston International AirportCharleston International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located in the city of North Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA. The airport serves the needs of the entire South Carolina Lowcountry. The airport has two runways and is operated under a joint-use agreement with...
, and the parkway connecting Dorchester Road with International Boulevard is named in his honor.
- Marshlands, Mons Repos and Retreat Plantations - the Retreat Plantation dates from 1672 and the Marshlands Plantation dates from 1682. Mons Repos came into being around 1798. All three plantations were combined in later years to form the Charleston Naval Base and Charleston Naval Shipyard. The Marshlands Plantations' main house has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and moved to Fort Sumter Drive on James Island.
- Oak Grove Plantation - dating from 1680, Oak Grove originally covered 960 acres (3.9 km²) along the Cooper RiverCooper River (South Carolina)The Cooper River is a mainly tidal river in the U.S. state of South Carolina. These cities are located along the river, Mt. Pleasant, Charleston, North Charleston, Goose Creek and Hanahan. Short and wide, it is joined first by the blackwater East Branch, then farther downstream, the tidal Wando River...
. By 1750, it had grown to about 1127 acres (4.6 km²).
- Tranquil Hill Plantation - started in 1683, Tranquil Hill was originally known as White Hall Plantation, a name it would keep until 1773. Its principal crop was rice. It encompassed about 526 acres (2.1 km²). It has since been redeveloped into the Whitehall subdivision.
- Windsor Hill Plantation - established in 1701, Windsor Hill was an inland rice plantation that covered nearly 1348 acres (5.5 km²), stretching across parts of what are now the cities of Goose Creek and North Charleston. General William Moultrie, victor at the Battle of Sullivan's Island in 1776 and governor from 1785–87 and 1792–94, was originally buried here but was exhumed and reburied at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island in 1977. The Windsor Hill Plantation subdivision occupies a portion of the eponymous plantation's property.
The large plantations were continually subdivided into smaller farms as the population began moving northward. After the Civil War, phosphate fertilizer plants began to spring up, with extensive strip mining occurring between the Ashley River and Broad Path (Meeting Street Road). The main route for transportation of these phosphates would eventually become known as Ashley Phosphate Road.
Birth of a city (1901–1972)
Since the early 20th century, the section of unincorporated Charleston County that later became the city of North Charleston had been designated by Charleston business and community leaders as a place for development of industry, military and other business sites. The first industry started in this area was the E.P. Burton Lumber Company. In 1901, the Charleston Naval ShipyardCharleston Naval Shipyard
Charleston Naval Shipyard was a U.S. Navy ship building and repair facility located along the west bank of the Cooper River, in North Charleston, South Carolina and part of Naval Base Charleston...
was established with agreements between the Federal Government and local Charleston city leaders. Shortly thereafter, the General Asbestos and Rubber Company built the world's largest asbestos mill under one roof.
In 1912, a group of businessmen from the city of Charleston formed a development company that bought the E.P. Burton Lumber Company tract and began to lay out an area for further development. The Park Circle area was one of the first to be designed and developed, allocating sections for industrial, commercial, and residential usage. Park Circle was planned as one of only two English Garden Style communities in the US and most of the original planning concept remains today. Some of the streets in the area still bear the names of these original developers: Durant, Buist, Mixon, Hyde, and O'Hear. During World War II, substantial development occurred as the military bases and industries expanded and people moved to the region to be closer to where they worked.
From World War II through the 1960s, many people who lived in this region (referred to by Charlestonians as the North Area) were unhappy about the way parts of their community were being developed. They wanted the citizens in the area to have direct control over future development. Many of their attempts to create an independent city were defeated via court rulings. As a means of bringing government closer to the people, an incorporation referendum was held on April 27, 1971. On June 12, 1972, after a series of legal battles, the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld the referendum results and North Charleston became a city with John E. Bourne Jr. as its first mayor.
The first 10 years (1972–1982)
When North Charleston incorporated on June 12, 1972, it consisted of several areas including the Russelldale, Ferndale, Morningside, Liberty Park, Palmetto Heights, Singing Pines, Dewey Hill, Liberty Homes and John C. Calhoun Homes neighborhoods. Within the first week of operation, the city passed a 61-page Code and signed a five year lease for 308 Montague Avenue for $300.00 per month. Also, during the month of June, the city hired a police chief, treasurer and annexed its first industry, which was Textone Incorporated Plywood, Westvaco. On June 21, a ribbon was cut on the first city park on Virginia Avenue. At the end of the first month, the city reached an agreement for garbage collection and fire protection by the local public service district. The month concluded with the city’s first big annexation, south of Bexley Street between Spruill Avenue and the Charleston Naval Shipyard. By December, North Charleston had become the 4th largest city in the state after annexing the Naval Base, the Air Force Base and the Charleston International Airport.In February 1973, North Charleston had doubled its area through annexation, and in March expanded into Berkeley County. In May 1973, the city launched its new police department, which included 21 officers and six cars. By the end of North Charleston’s first year, the population had increased from 22,000 to 53,000.
Through continued growth that included 20 churches, a 62 store shopping mall and other large tracts of residential neighborhoods, the city became the 3rd largest city in South Carolina on July 3, 1976.
On June 12, 1982, North Charleston had a population of 65,000 in a 30.5 miles (49.1 km) area. In ten short years the city's growth rate was 250 percent. It had made $15 million in capital investments; $1.95 million invested in parks and recreation facilities, and $2.28 million in economic development.
Growing pains (1982–1996)
In 1983, North Charleston became the first city in South Carolina to implement a computer aided dispatch system. Baker Hospital opened a new facility on the banks of the Ashley River. The following year, Wal-Mart announced plans to open one of the nation’s first Sam’s Clubs in North Charleston. Plans were revealed in 1985 for the 400 acres (1.6 km²) Centre Pointe development which included Sams Club, Wal-mart and Tanger Outlet Mall as anchors.By 1986, North Charleston's population had reached 78,000 residents spanning 47 square miles (121.7 km²). A monument to honor Vietnam veterans was erected and dedicated in front of City Hall, where it stood for over 20 years before being moved to Patriots Point in 2008. The city celebrated its 15th anniversary the next year, marked by such events as the opening of the Northwoods Center shooping complex and the appearance of a beach in the middle of the city with the opening of Treasure Lake.
In September 1989, Hurricane Hugo
Hurricane Hugo
Hurricane Hugo was a classical, destructive and rare Cape Verde-type hurricane which struck the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe, Montserrat, St. Croix, Puerto Rico and the USA mainland in South Carolina as a Category 4 hurricane during September of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season...
brought devastation to the area, causing over $2.8 billion in damage to the South Carolina Lowcountry.
In 1991, John E. Bourne, Jr. lost his bid for a sixth term as mayor to Bobby Kinard, who became the city's second mayor. Kinard's tenure as mayor was tumultuous and was marked by repeated conflict with the City Council, who went so far as to strip Kinard of his mayoral powers during a council meeting. Kinard would resign in 1994 on the grounds that his relationship with the council was damaged irreparably.
The area saw welcome expansion in 1993 when a squadron of the C-17 Globemaster III
C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
aircraft was established at Charleston Air Force base. The North Charleston Coliseum
North Charleston Coliseum
The North Charleston Coliseum is a 14,000-seat multi-purpose arena in North Charleston, South Carolina. It is part of the North Charleston Convention Center Complex, which also includes a Performing Arts Center, and is owned by the City of North Charleston and managed by SMG...
opened and the South Carolina Stingrays
South Carolina Stingrays
The South Carolina Stingrays are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Stingrays play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. They play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Carolina Ice Palace, also located in...
of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
began play later that year.
Following Bobby Kinard's resignation in 1994, R. Keith Summey was elected the city’s third mayor to fill the vacant seat.
An era ends; a city is reborn (1996–present)
The Charleston Naval Base remained the largest employer of civilians in South Carolina into the 1990s. The influence of Lowcountry legislators and the threat of nuclear attack played an important role in keeping North Charleston's bases open in the face of periodic attempts at closure.However, in the early 1990s, with the resolution of the Cold War and impending defense budget cuts, the Charleston Navy Base was once again on the chopping block. In 1993, the Charleston Naval Base was given a closure date of April 1, 1996. With an annual expenditure of approximately 1.4 Billion dollars the closing of the base was a blow to the entire Tri-County economy. Over the years, billions of dollars had flowed into the region's economy and hundreds of thousands of jobs were provided to military and civilian personnel, the vast majority being civilians. Many military personnel who worked at or passed through the base returned to the city to retire. Following the closure of the Charleston Naval Base and the Charleston Naval Shipyard, parts of the base and dry-docks were leased out to various government and private businesses. Community parks for North Charleston were established on old base grounds, to include Riverfront Park.
After years of development, community input and revisions, the Noisette Community Master Plan for the old naval base was finalized in a contractual agreement in early 2004. The plan sought to preserve historic architectural styles, neighborhood diversity and the area’s unique social fabric. It also intended to restore environmental stability and beauty, attract jobs, improve services like education and health care, reduce dependence on car travel, promote recreation, eliminate the foundations of crime and poverty, and strengthen residents' sense of pride.
In the following years, however, the plan failed to come to fruition. In 2005, city officials discovered that Noisette had borrowed $3 million against land on the former base without their knowledge. The next year, Noisette borrowed $23.7 million from Capmark Investing Group, using the majority of its remaining land on the base as collateral. Noisette failed to make timely repayment to Capmark, and the property went into foreclosure. Representatives of Noisette insisted at the time that they would be able to repay Capmark and make good on their vision for redeveloping the old Navy base.
Discussion between city and state officials regarding the industrial development of remaining portions of the former base stalled in 2009 primarily due to a dispute over rail access to a proposed intermodal terminal that would occupy the central portion of the area. Representatives of the state government sought to have rail access from both the north and south. This notion was directly contradicted by Mayor Summey, who insisted that the northern rail access be abandoned to avoid heavy rail traffic through the slowly revitalizing Park Circle neighborhood.
In October 2009, Boeing Aircraft announced the selection of North Charleston for its new 787 Dreamliner aircraft assembly and delivery prep center. This positioned North Charleston as one of the major aircraft centers of the world and paved the way for thousands of new jobs to provide quality work for residents of the city and the entire Tri-County area.
In a tragic series of events in June 2010, former mayor Bobby Kinard committed suicide after dealing with depression in the aftermath of his experiences in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. In December of that year, a Delaware corporation with ties to former state Commerce Secretary Bob Faith bought the largest parcel (approximately 240 acre (0.9712464 km²) at the north end of the former base) of Noisette land. The corporation then transferred the deed for that land to the state's Commerce Department's Public Railways Division, giving them the impetus to move forward with their proposed rail yard with northern and southern access despite Mayor Summey's objections. The North Charleston mayor announced his intent to file a lawsuit against the state Commerce Department on the grounds that their plan violated the city's agreement with the State Ports Authority that no rail be run through the north end of the former base.
North Charleston today
With the arrival of Boeing Aircraft, the city has gained international importance and stature as one of only four places in the world for the manufacture and assembly of wide-body commercial aircraft. The other three places are in and around Everett, WashingtonEverett, Washington
Everett is the county seat of and the largest city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. Named for Everett Colby, son of founder Charles L. Colby, it lies north of Seattle. The city had a total population of 103,019 at the 2010 census, making it the 6th largest in the state and...
(Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
), Toulouse, France (Airbus
Airbus
Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
) and Voronezh
Voronezh
Voronezh is a city in southwestern Russia, the administrative center of Voronezh Oblast. It is located on both sides of the Voronezh River, away from where it flows into the Don. It is an operating center of the Southeastern Railway , as well as the center of the Don Highway...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
(Ilyushin
Ilyushin
Open Joint Stock Company «Ilyushin Aviation Complex» , operating as Ilyushin or Ilyushin Design Bureau, is a Russian design bureau and aircraft manufacturer, founded by Sergey Vladimirovich Ilyushin. Ilyushin was established under the Soviet Union. Its operations began on January 13, 1933, by...
).
North Charleston continues to be the State’s leader in retail sales for the sixteenth consecutive year. In calendar year 2007, gross retail sales exceeded $6.15 billion and surpassed its nearest competition, Columbia, South Carolina, by over $2 billion.
The city continues to expand its inventory of 4-star hotel accommodations. By the end of 2009, North Charleston had 7,246 rooms available for visitors to this region of South Carolina.
North Charleston is the home to the Global Financial Services - Charleston (US State Dept), located at the old Naval Station. Global Financial Services - Charleston is responsible overall for more than 200 bank accounts in over 160 countries and 169 different currencies. In 2005, it disbursed over $10 billion and purchased over $3 billion in foreign currency.
As part of an initiative by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide mail order prescriptions to veterans using computerization, at strategic locations, North Charleston is home to a Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy
Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy
The Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy initiative of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs provides mail order prescriptions to veterans using facilities with highly automated distribution systems at strategic locations throughout the country.- History :During the 1970s and 1980s,...
(CMOP).
Since the construction of Palmetto Commerce Parkway, many businesses (including Venture Aerobearings, Daimler Vans Manufacturing, Cummins Turbo, and the VTL Group) have located and invested hundreds of millions of dollars in North Charleston’s local economy. Industrial hubs, such as this one, continue to provide high paying jobs in the area’s economy.
Geography
North Charleston is located near the Atlantic OceanAtlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
in the Coastal zone just north of Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
in South Carolina. According to the 2010 United States Census, the city has a total area of 76.6 square miles (160.8 km2).
Climate
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 79,641 people, 29,783 households, and 18,971 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,360.6 people per square mile (525.3/km2). There were 33,631 housing units at an average density of 574.5 per square mile (221.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 49.41% African American, 44.76% White, 0.44% Native American, 1.59% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.78% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.97% of the population.
There were 29,783 households out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 22.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city, the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 13.4% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,307, and the median income for a family was $32,868. Males had a median income of $26,681 versus $20,718 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $14,361. About 19.9% of families and 23.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.8% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The city is run by an elected Mayor-council governmentMayor-council government
The mayor–council government system, sometimes called the mayor–commission government system, is one of the two most common forms of local government for municipalities...
system with the mayor acting as the chief administrator and the executive officer of the municipality. The mayor also presides over city council meetings and has a vote, the same as other council members. City government moved into a new, more centrally located city hall in 2009, centralizing offices that had been in numerous locations across the city.
Mayor
- Current Mayor
- R. Keith Summey
- Previous Mayors
- John E. Bourne Jr.
- Robert Kinard
- Kenneth McClure (Interim Mayor)
Council members
- District 1 - Ed Astle
- District 2 - Rhonda Jerome
- District 3 - Bobby Jameson
- District 4 - Phoebe Miller
- District 5 - Steve Ayer
- District 6 - Dorothy Williams
- District 7 - Sam Hart
- District 8 - Robert King
- District 9 - Kurt Taylor
- District 10 - Michael Brown
Police department
The North Charleston Police Department was formed in 1973 with 21 officers and five support personnel. Today, the department employs over 300 sworn officers and 100 civilian employees.Fire department
The first fire department founded in the area to become North Charleston was the St. Phillip's and St. Michael's Fire Department in 1935. They had one station and one engine. The North Charleston Fire Department was formed in 1937 with only one station and one engine. In 1959, the departments merged to become the North Charleston Consolidated Fire Department. NCFD became a paid service in 1962. At which time all the volunteers were released and they formed the organization today known as the Charleston County Volunteer Rescue Squad.The two departments were again merged in 1996 to become the North Charleston Fire Department. There were 10 fire stations, 10 engines, 3 ladder trucks and 2 squads at that time.
In the past 13 years, the department has grown to include new technology and new training. They have thermal imagers in each station, a confined-space rescue team, a hazardous materials team, a marine firefighting team, and each firefighter in the department is trained to a minimum of IFSAC Firefighter One.
EMS
The Emergency Medical Services for the City of North Charleston are provided by Charleston County Emergency Medical Services and Dorchester County Emergency Medical Services. The city is served by both Charleston and Dorchester counties EMS and 911 services since the city is part of both counties.Crime
The following table shows North Charleston’s crime rate for CY2009 in six crimes that Morgan Quitno uses for their calculation for "America's most dangerous cities" ranking, in comparison to the national average. The statistics provided are for a crime rate based on the number of crimes committed per 100,000 people.| Crime | North Charleston (2009) | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Murder | 10.4 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 57.3 | 28.7 |
| Robbery | 391.7 | 133.0 |
| Assault | 575.1 | 262.8 |
| Burglary | 1066.9 | 716.3 |
| Automobile Theft | 631.4 | 258.8 |
Since 1999, the overall crime rate of North Charleston has begun to decline. The total violent crime index rate for North Charleston for 1999 was 1043.5 crimes committed per 100,000 people, with the United States average at 729.6 per 100,000. North Charleston had a total violent crime index rate of 612.4 per 100,000 for the year of 2009, versus a national average of 429.4 per 100,000.
According to the Congressional Quarterly Press 2009 City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America, North Charleston ranked as the 22nd most dangerous American city larger than 75,000 inhabitants. However, the entire Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville Metropolitan Statistical Area had a lower overall crime rate ranking at #35.
The 2010 Congressional Quarterly Press list of America's 400 most dangerous cities placed North Charleston at #63, a significant drop from the previous year. The homicide rate alone decreased by 61%, and the lower crime rate removed North Charleston from the company of such cities as Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
and St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, placing it more in line with average, medium-sized Southern cities like Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
and Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
. City officials attributed the drop to the hard work of the North Charleston Police Department and the cooperation of city residents.
Infrastructure and economy
- BoeingBoeing Charleston FactoryThe Boeing Charleston Factory located in North Charleston, South Carolina is the East Coast manufacturing, assembly and delivery site for Boeing Commercial Aircraft. The site is located adjacent to the Charleston Air Force Base / Charleston International Airport.The workers will have a building...
- Located adjacent to the Charleston International AirportCharleston International AirportCharleston International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located in the city of North Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA. The airport serves the needs of the entire South Carolina Lowcountry. The airport has two runways and is operated under a joint-use agreement with...
, Boeing has set up an East Coast facility in North Charleston for manufacturing fuselage components, assembling, and flight testing Boeing 787Boeing 787The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It seats 210 to 290 passengers, depending on the variant. Boeing states that it is the company's most fuel-efficient airliner and the world's first major airliner to use...
aircraft, ready for delivery to airlines. - Computer Sciences CorporationComputer Sciences CorporationComputer Sciences Corporation is an American information technology and business services company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, USA...
- Branch offices - IT/business services company. - Cummins Turbo TechnologiesCumminsCummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
- Corporate center and manufacturing plant (truck engine parts). Located on Palmetto Commerce Parkway. - Daimler Vans Manufacturing LLC - Plant for manufacturing Daimler Vans, employing 200 people. Located on Palmetto Commerce Parkway.
- Hess Gasoline Distribution CenterHess CorporationThe Hess Corporation is an integrated oil company based in New York City. The company explores, produces, transports, and refines crude oil and natural gas. Vertically completing the logistical chain, about 1,360 Hess branded filling stations market gasoline to consumers in 16 states along the...
- port facilities for tanker ships, serving the entire Tri-County Metro area Hess gas stations. Located off Virginia Avenue. - InterContinental Hotels GroupInterContinental Hotels GroupInterContinental Hotels Group plc is a global hotels company headquartered in Denham, United Kingdom. It is the largest hotels company in the world measured by rooms , and has over 4,500 hotels across over 100 countries...
- Call center of parent company for Holiday InnHoliday InnHoliday Inn is a brand of hotels, formally a economy motel chain, forming part of the British InterContinental Hotels Group . It is one of the world's largest hotel chains with 238,440 bedrooms and 1,301 hotels globally. There are currently 5 hotels in the pipeline...
hotels, employing more than 400 people. Located on Ashley Phosphate Road. - iQorIQoriQor, Inc., based in New York City , is a business process outsourcing company that provides call center services -- including customer care, customer retention and revenue recovery services to large and mid-sized companies...
- Call center providing outsourced customer service, retention, and revenue recovery services to large and mid-sized companies. Employs 360 workers. Located on Dorchester Road. - Kapstone Paper and PackagingKapstoneKapStone Paper and Packaging is an American pulp and paper company based in Northbrook, IL.The company has Kraft paper manufacturing facilities in Roanoke Rapids, NC and North Charleston, SC as well as a lumber mill in Summerville, SC...
- Kraft paper mills employing 1,100 workers. Located on the Cooper River. - Robert Bosch CorporationRobert Bosch GmbHRobert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
- Manufacturer of diesel injector components, located off Dorchester Road. (note: Robert Bosch is not in corporate city limits of, but is surrounded by North Charleston) - Verizon WirelessVerizon WirelessCellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, is one of the largest mobile network operators in the United States. The network has 107.7 million subscribers as of 2011, making it the largest wireless service provider in America....
- Call center of parent company for Verizon, employing 700 workers. Located on Mall Drive. - Venture Aerobearings - Plant manufactures bearings for jet engines. Located on Palmetto Commerce Parkway.
U.S.P.S. Zip Codes
The City of North Charleston is served by these Zip Codes:- 29404
- 29405
- 29406 - This zip code is incorrectly listed by U.S.P.S. as serving the City of Charleston. It only serves the City of North Charleston
- 29418
- 29420
- 29456
- 29485
Major highways
U.S. Route 52U.S. Route 52 in South CarolinaU.S. Route 52 is a North–South U.S. Highway that runs from Charleston to the North Carolina state line near Cheraw. It serves as a strategic highway through the central South Carolina.-Route description:U.S. 52 enters South Carolina northeast of Cheraw...
(I-26 exit 209, I-526 exit 18)
U.S. Route 78 (I-26 exit 205)
SC 61South Carolina Highway 61South Carolina Highway 61 is a long highway in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The highway is designated on an east–west direction, from U.S. Route 78 near Branchville to South Carolina Highway 30 in Charleston. The portion of Highway 61 from Church Creek Bridge and ten miles north is...
- Ashley River Road at Watson Hill.svg.png)
Interstate 26Interstate 26 in South CarolinaInterstate 26 is a South Carolina Interstate highway running generally east–west to U.S. Route 17 in the Atlantic Coast at Charleston, South Carolina to Landrum in Spartanburg County.-Route description:...
(I-526 exit 17).svg.png)
I-526Interstate 526Interstate 526 or the Mark Clark Expressway is a beltway, Interstate Highway of Interstate 26 in Berkeley and Charleston counties in South Carolina, USA.-Route description:...
(I-26 exit 212)
Business Spur 526
SC 165South Carolina Highway 165South Carolina Highway 165 is a 22.5 mile highway that connects U.S. 17 in Ravenel to U.S. 17 Alt. just north of Summerville. From Ravenel to S.C. 61, the highway is very rural, only to become a congested urban highway to its junction with U.S. 17 Alt.....
- Delemar Highway, at Watson Hill
SC 7South Carolina Highway 7South Carolina Highway 7 is a major state highway in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The route runs 5.85 mi from Johns Isl. to N. Charleston.-Route description:...
- Cosgrove Avenue (I-26 exit 216)
SC 642South Carolina Highway 642South Carolina Highway 642, also known as Dorchester Road, is a major state highway in North Charleston and Summerville. The road runs for 19.1 miles from U.S. 78 in North Charleston, SC to U.S. 17 Alt southwest of Summerville, SC. Dorchester Road is a heavily congested highway during morning and...
- Dorchester Road, from U.S. 52 to U.S. 17 (I-26 exit 215)
Other major thoroughfares
- Ashley Phosphate Road - from SC 642 to U.S. 52 (I-26 exit 209)
- Aviation Avenue - from S. Aviation Road (Charleston Air Force BaseCharleston Air Force BaseJoint Base Charleston is a United States military facility located in North Charleston, South Carolina. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 628th Air Base Wing, Air Mobility Command...
access) to U.S. 52 (I-26 exit 211) - International Boulevard - from Charleston International AirportCharleston International AirportCharleston International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located in the city of North Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA. The airport serves the needs of the entire South Carolina Lowcountry. The airport has two runways and is operated under a joint-use agreement with...
to Montague Avenue (I-526 exit 16) - Ladson Road - from SC 642 to U.S. 78
- Michaux Parkway - from SC 642 to International Boulevard (to Charleston International Airport)
- Montague Avenue - from SC 642 to Virginia Avenue through Park Circle (I-26 exit 213, I-526 exit 16)
- Rhett Avenue - from Liberty Hall Road (Goose CreekGoose Creek, South CarolinaGoose Creek is a city in Berkeley county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 35,938 at the 2010 census. Most of the Naval Weapons Station Charleston is in Goose Creek. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
) to U.S. 52 through Park Circle (I-526 exits 19 and 20) - Remount Road - from S. Aviation Road to Virginia Avenue (I-26 exit 211)
Airlines
Charleston International AirportCharleston International Airport
Charleston International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located in the city of North Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA. The airport serves the needs of the entire South Carolina Lowcountry. The airport has two runways and is operated under a joint-use agreement with...
and the Charleston Air Force Base
Charleston Air Force Base
Joint Base Charleston is a United States military facility located in North Charleston, South Carolina. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 628th Air Base Wing, Air Mobility Command...
provide commercial and military air service for the region. The airport currently serves more than 1.1 million passengers annually and 14.9 million pounds of freight with a total of 108,438 flights. Commercial airlines include American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
, Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
, Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
, Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines, Inc. was a major United States airline founded in 1926 and absorbed into Delta Air Lines by a merger approved on October 29, 2008, making Delta the largest airline in the world...
, Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline based in Dallas, Texas. Southwest is the largest airline in the United States, based upon domestic passengers carried,...
, United Express
United Express
United Express is a brand name under which eight regional airlines operate feeder flights for United Airlines. They primarily connect smaller cities with United's domestic hub airports and “focus cities,” although they offer some point-to-point service such as Sacramento to Eureka.As of Sept...
, and US Airways
US Airways
US Airways, Inc. is a major airline based in the U.S. city of Tempe, Arizona. The airline is an operating unit of US Airways Group and is the sixth largest airline by traffic and eighth largest by market value in the country....
. Airtran
AirTran
AirTran may refer to:* AirTran Airways, a low cost airline* AirTran Holdings, an airline holding company* AirTran JetConnect, an outsourced and defunct brand operated by Air Wisconsin* Airtrans APM, an automated people mover system...
previously provided service to the International Airport but ceased on December 3, 2009, citing concerns that the route was no longer "economically viable". Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline based in Dallas, Texas. Southwest is the largest airline in the United States, based upon domestic passengers carried,...
began local service March 13, 2011.
Motor freight
North Charleston is home to many motor carriers servicing routes throughout the US.Port facilities
The South Carolina State Ports Authority has four intermodal facilities, one of which is located in North Charleston. A new intermodal facility is being built on the former Charleston Naval Base. Each facility handles container, bulk, and break bulk cargo. With more than 2000000 square feet (185,806.1 m²) of warehouse and storage space, the port terminals can accommodate more than 17 vessels at a time. Veterans Terminal is designed mainly for bulk/break bulk cargo.Railroads
AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
, Norfolk Southern, the CSX System and the South Carolina Railroad Commission provide passenger and freight rail service in North Charleston.
Intermodal Transportation Center
The North Charleston Intermodal Transportation CenterNorth Charleston Intermodal Transportation Center
North Charleston Intermodal Transportation Center is a new passenger train station, a long haul inter-city bus, and regional bus station, soon to be built in the City of North Charleston, South Carolina. It will replace the current passenger station...
will consolidate a new train station, long haul and CARTA (local bus service)
Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority provides area residents and visitors public transportation within parts of Charleston and Dorchester Counties. This would include the City of Charleston, City of North Charleston , Mt...
at one location.
Bus transportation
North Charleston is served by a busBus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
system, operated by the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority
Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority provides area residents and visitors public transportation within parts of Charleston and Dorchester Counties. This would include the City of Charleston, City of North Charleston , Mt...
(CARTA). The majority of the city is served by regional fixed route buses which are also equipped with bike racks as part of the system's Rack & Ride program.
Rural parts of North Charleston and the Tri-County metropolitan area are served by a different bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
system, operated by Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Rural Transportation Management Association (BCD-RTMA).
Hospitals
The Trident Regional Medical Center is the major hospital located in North Charleston. There are several hospitals located throughout the area serving city residents. These hospitals are the Medical University of South CarolinaMedical University of South Carolina
The Medical University of South Carolina opened in Charleston, South Carolina in 1824 as a small private college for the training of physicians. It is one of the oldest continually operating school of medicine in the United States and the oldest in the Deep South...
, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Bon Secours-St Francis Xavier Hospital and Roper Hospital, located in Charleston.
The East Cooper Regional Medical Center, located in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Mount Pleasant is a large affluent suburban town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. It is a member of the Charleston–North Charleston–Summerville Metropolitan Statistical Area, for statistical purpose only, as designated by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget....
, is another local hospital serving residents.
Orphanage
In 1937 the Jenkins OrphanageJenkins Orphanage
The Jenkins Orphanage was established in 1891 by Rev. Daniel J. Jenkins in Charleston, South Carolina. Jenkins was a former slave turned minister who, upon stumbling across homeless youths, decided to organize an orphanage for young African American children...
(now Jenkins Institute For Children) left the city of Charleston and moved to 3923 Azalea Drive in what is now the city of North Charleston. The Institute is renowned for its contributions to the welfare of its charges and the Jenkins Orphanage Band.
Museums, historical sites, and other attractions
- The H.L. HunleyH. L. Hunley (submarine)H. L. Hunley was a submarine of the Confederate States of America that played a small part in the American Civil War, but a large role in the history of naval warfare. The Hunley demonstrated both the advantages and the dangers of undersea warfare...
Museum is located at the old Naval Base in North Charleston. The Civil War era submarine, recovered from the ocean floor August 8, 2000, is undergoing restoration and examination. There are scores of artifacts that have been recovered from the submarine on display. The Hunley bears the distinction of being the first successful combat submarine in the world.
- The Greater Charleston Naval Memorial is located at Riverfront Park on the old Navy Yard. It features sculptures of the different types of ships built and serviced at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, and also features full-size replicas of the Lone SailorThe Lone SailorThe Lone Sailor, a 1987 bronze sculpture, is a tribute to all the personnel of the sea services. The sculpture was created by Stanley Bleifeld for the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C....
and HomecomingThe Homecoming (statue)The Homecoming is a statue expressing the joy of reunion between a family when the sailor returns from a long period at sea. The statue honors the sacrifices made by families and members of all the sea services during long separations....
sculptures.
- The American LaFrance Fire Museum & Educational Center is located between Tanger outlet mall and the North Charleston Coliseum. The museum is filled with one of a kind and antique vehicles and fire equipment (some from as early as the mid 18th century) and utilizes multiple interactive displays.
Charleston Area Convention Center
From its establishment in August 1999, the Convention Center has attracted millions of guests and visitors to North Charleston and contributed significantly to the local and regional economy. The Complex includes exhibition halls, ballrooms and meeting rooms.Coliseum and Performing Arts Center
- The North Charleston ColiseumNorth Charleston ColiseumThe North Charleston Coliseum is a 14,000-seat multi-purpose arena in North Charleston, South Carolina. It is part of the North Charleston Convention Center Complex, which also includes a Performing Arts Center, and is owned by the City of North Charleston and managed by SMG...
is located near the Charleston International AirportCharleston International AirportCharleston International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located in the city of North Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA. The airport serves the needs of the entire South Carolina Lowcountry. The airport has two runways and is operated under a joint-use agreement with...
. The coliseum is one of the largest venues in South Carolina with 13,295 seats. The coliseum also hosts many special events, concerts, and local graduations. The coliseum is home to the South Carolina StingraysSouth Carolina StingraysThe South Carolina Stingrays are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Stingrays play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. They play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Carolina Ice Palace, also located in...
hockey team of the ECHLECHLThe ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
.
- The North Charleston Performing Arts Center seats up to 2,341 and hosts major Broadway shows as well as national and world renowned musical and theatrical performers.
The Performing Arts Center, the North Charleston Coliseum, the Charleston Area Convention Center are owned by the city of North Charleston and managed by SMG. Together with the co-located Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites Hotels
'Embassy Suites Hotels is a chain of upscale all-suite hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide. As of Feb. 22, 2011, there are 200 Embassy Suites Hotels in the United States, plus 8 Embassy Suites Hotels internationally. Similar to other Hilton brands, most Embassy Suites hotels are independently...
hotel, they help create an entertainment and cultural complex that serves the city of North Charleston and the entire region.
Sports
The South Carolina StingraysSouth Carolina Stingrays
The South Carolina Stingrays are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Stingrays play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. They play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Carolina Ice Palace, also located in...
, an ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
(minor league professional ice hockey) team, have been affiliated with the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
since 2004. The Stingrays play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum
North Charleston Coliseum
The North Charleston Coliseum is a 14,000-seat multi-purpose arena in North Charleston, South Carolina. It is part of the North Charleston Convention Center Complex, which also includes a Performing Arts Center, and is owned by the City of North Charleston and managed by SMG...
.
Nearby cities and towns
- City of CharlestonCharleston, South CarolinaCharleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
- City of Folly BeachFolly Beach, South CarolinaFolly Beach is a city, located on historic Folly Island, in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,117 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- City of Goose CreekGoose Creek, South CarolinaGoose Creek is a city in Berkeley county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 35,938 at the 2010 census. Most of the Naval Weapons Station Charleston is in Goose Creek. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- City of HanahanHanahan, South CarolinaHanahan is a city in Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 12,937 at the 2000 census. Portions of the Naval Weapons Station Charleston, including the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston, are located in Hanahan. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and...
- City of Isle of PalmsIsle of Palms, South CarolinaIsle of Palms is a city in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population on the island was 4,133. Isle of Palms is a barrier island on the South Carolina coast. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- City of WalterboroWalterboro, South CarolinaWalterboro is a city in Colleton County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 5,153 at the 2000 census . It is the county seat of Colleton County.-History:...
- Town of AwendawAwendaw, South CarolinaAwendaw is a small fishing town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,195 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- Town of CottagevilleCottageville, South CarolinaCottageville is a town in Colleton County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 707 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Cottageville has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
- Town of HollywoodHollywood, South CarolinaHollywood is a town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,946 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- Town of McClellanvilleMcClellanville, South CarolinaMcClellanville is a small fishing town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 459 at the 2000 census. It is situated on the Atlantic coast, on land surrounded by Francis Marion National Forest and has traditionally derived its livelihood from the sea and coastal...
- Town of MeggettMeggett, South CarolinaMeggett is a town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,230 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- Town of Mount PleasantMount Pleasant, South CarolinaMount Pleasant is a large affluent suburban town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. It is a member of the Charleston–North Charleston–Summerville Metropolitan Statistical Area, for statistical purpose only, as designated by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget....
- Town of RockvilleRockville, South CarolinaRockville is a town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States that was founded in 1784. The population was 137 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- Town of Sullivan's IslandSullivan's Island, South CarolinaSullivan's Island is a town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, on a similarly named island at the entrance to Charleston Harbor. The population was 1,911 at the 2000 census. It is also the site of a major battle of the American Revolution at Fort Sullivan on June 28, 1776. As...
- Town of SummervilleSummerville, South CarolinaSummerville is a town in the U.S. state of South Carolina situated mostly in Dorchester County with small portions in Berkeley, and Charleston counties. It is part of the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville Metropolitan Statistical Area as designated for statistical purposes by the U.S. Office...
Other unincorporated areas
- Dewees IslandDewees IslandDewees Island is a barrier island about 11 miles north of Charleston, South Carolina. The island is over 1,200 acres .The island is privately owned and accessible only by ferry or private boat....
- Edisto Island
- James IslandJames Island, South CarolinaJames Island is a former town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. It is located in the central and southern parts of James Island. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- Johns IslandJohns Island, South CarolinaJohns Island, also spelled John's Island, is the largest island in the U.S. State of South Carolina. It is one of the many Sea Islands along the coast of South Carolina.-Background:...
- LadsonLadson, South CarolinaLadson is a census-designated place in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 13,264 at the 2000 census....
- Wadmalaw Island
- Yonges Island
Parks
- Danny Jones Complex
- MWV/Kapstone Park
- Northwoods Park
- Park South
- Park Circle
- Quarterman Park
- Ralph M. Hendricks Park
- Riverfront Park
County parks
The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) operates numerous facilities within Charleston County.Beach parks:
- Folly Beach County Park, Folly Beach, South CarolinaFolly Beach, South CarolinaFolly Beach is a city, located on historic Folly Island, in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,117 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- Isle of Palms County Park, Isle of Palms, South CarolinaIsle of Palms, South CarolinaIsle of Palms is a city in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population on the island was 4,133. Isle of Palms is a barrier island on the South Carolina coast. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- Kiawah Beachwalker County Park, Kiawah Island, South CarolinaKiawah Island, South CarolinaKiawah is a sea island, or barrier island, on the Atlantic coast of the United States. Located south of Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina, it is operated today largely as a beach and golf resort — the Kiawah Island Golf Resort — with spacious villas, beaches, large and acclaimed golf...
Fishing piers:
- Folly Beach Fishing Pier, Folly Beach, South CarolinaFolly Beach, South CarolinaFolly Beach is a city, located on historic Folly Island, in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,117 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- Mt. Pleasant Pier, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Marinas and boat landings:
- Cooper River Marina
- Multiple county-wide boat landings
Day parks:
- Caw Caw Nature and History Interpretive Center, Ravenel, South CarolinaRavenel, South CarolinaRavenel is a town in Charleston County and Dorchester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,214 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- James Island County Park, Charleston, South CarolinaCharleston, South CarolinaCharleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
- Mullet Hall Equestrian Center, Johns Island, South CarolinaJohns Island, South CarolinaJohns Island, also spelled John's Island, is the largest island in the U.S. State of South Carolina. It is one of the many Sea Islands along the coast of South Carolina.-Background:...
- Wannamaker County Park, North Charleston, South Carolina
- Palmetto Islands County Park, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Water parks:
- Splash Island at Palmetto Islands County Park
- Splash Zone at James Island County Park
- Whirlin' Waters at Wannamaker County Park
Off-leash dog parks are offered at James Island, Palmetto Islands, and Wannamaker County Parks.
Schools, colleges, and universities
North Charleston is served by the Charleston County School District and Dorchester School District II.North Charleston is home to Charleston Southern University
Charleston Southern University
Charleston Southern University, founded in 1964 as Baptist College, is an independent comprehensive university located in North Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston Southern enrolls a maximum of 3,200 students. Affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, the university's mission is...
and Trident Technical College
Trident Technical College
Trident Technical College is a two-year college based in the City of North Charleston, Charleston and Dorchester counties in South Carolina. It is part of the South Carolina Technical College System. Enrollment for each semester is approximately 12,000 students working their way toward college...
, Main Campus. In North Charleston, near the airport, the Lowcountry Graduate Center
Lowcountry Graduate Center
The Lowcountry Graduate Center is a public higher education consortium located in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Lowcountry Graduate Center was established in 2001 to expand opportunities for graduate education in the Charleston region. The LGC continually assesses the educational needs of...
offers satellite campus access to some of South Carolinas' most prestigious universities. Clemson
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
, University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
, Medical University of South Carolina
Medical University of South Carolina
The Medical University of South Carolina opened in Charleston, South Carolina in 1824 as a small private college for the training of physicians. It is one of the oldest continually operating school of medicine in the United States and the oldest in the Deep South...
, The Citadel
The Citadel
-Places:*The Citadel , a 201 m skyscraper in the United Arab Emirates*The Citadel , the old fortified city of Gozo, Malta*The Citadel , a shopping mall in Colorado*The Citadel , a diving spot in Martinique...
and the College of Charleston
College of Charleston
The College of Charleston is a public, sea-grant and space-grant university located in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, United States...
all working together to provide lowcountry residents with access to graduate degree programs together in one convenient location. Webster University
Webster University
Webster University is an American non-profit private university with its main campus in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Webster University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools...
maintains two locations, one at the Charleston AFB and another just off of International Blvd.
Armed forces
Air Force- Joint Base Charleston Charleston Air Force BaseCharleston Air Force BaseJoint Base Charleston is a United States military facility located in North Charleston, South Carolina. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 628th Air Base Wing, Air Mobility Command...
- 437th Airlift Wing437th Airlift WingThe 437th Airlift Wing is an active unit of the United States Air Force, assigned to 18th Air Force, Air Mobility Command. It is the mission wing at Charleston Air Force Base, Joint Base Charleston, in the City of North Charleston, South Carolina....
(Joint Base Charleston) - 315th Airlift Wing315th Airlift WingThe 315th Airlift Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force Reserve. It is stationed at Charleston Air Force Base, in the City of North Charleston, South Carolina...
(Joint Base Charleston) - 628th Air Base Wing (Joint Base Charleston)
- 1st Combat Camera Squadron (Joint Base Charleston)
- 373rd Training Squadron Det 5 (Joint Base Charleston)
- 412th Logistics Support Squadron OL-AC (Joint Base Charleston)
- Air Force ROTC Det 772
- Civil Air Patrol - Charleston Composite Squadron
- 437th Airlift Wing
Coast Guard
- USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716)USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716)The USCGC Dallas , is a Coast Guard high endurance cutter commissioned in 1967 at the Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans. She is the sixth ship or boat to bear the name of Alexander J. Dallas, the Secretary of the Treasury under President James Madison...
, berthed at Pier Papa. - USCGC Gallatin (WHEC-721)USCGC Gallatin (WHEC-721)USCGC Gallatin is a U.S. Coast Guard Hamilton-class high endurance cutter based out of Charleston, South Carolina. Built at Avondale Shipyards near New Orleans, Louisiana, Gallatin was named for Albert Gallatin, the fourth and longest serving United States Secretary of the Treasury.-External...
, berthed at Pier Papa. - USCGC OAK (WLB-211), berthed at Pier Papa.
Marine Corps
- C Company 4th Landing Support Battalion (Marine Corps Reserves) - Vector Avenue, 29406 next to Charleston International Airport.
Navy
- Charleston Naval Hospital - This has been replaced by the Naval Health Clinic Charleston at the Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek, South Carolina.
Broadcast television
These TV stations have studios in and broadcast from North Charleston, South Carolina.- WJNI-LPWJNI-LPWJNI-LP channel 31 is a low-powered television station in North Charleston, South Carolina, affiliated with the America One Television network....
(31 Digital, America One, Independent) owned by Jabar Communications - WAZS-LPWAZS-LPWAZS-LP channel 29 is an Azteca America broadcasting affiliate in North Charleston, South Carolina. WAZS is owned and operated by Jabar Communications out of North Charleston, which owns several radio stations, including WAZS-AM and FM. The company also owns one other TV station,...
(29 Digital, Azteca AmericaAzteca AméricaAzteca América is a broadcast television network marketed toward Spanish-speaking families residing in the United States. As a rapidly-growing Spanish language network, Azteca América now reaches 89% of the Hispanic households in the U.S., operating in sixty-two markets nationwide. Wholly owned by...
Independent) owned by Jabar Communications - WTAT-TV (24, FoxFox Broadcasting CompanyFox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
): owned by Cunningham Broadcasting Company - WMMP-TV (36, My Network Television) owned by Sinclair Broadcasting Company.
External links
- City of North Charleston
- Dorchester County GIS showing City of North Charleston in Dorchester County
- Online - City of North Charleston, South Carolina, interactive zoning and boundary map. http://72.159.158.79/zoning/index.html