Incorporated in June 1972, North Charleston had a population of 21,000 and an area of seven square miles. Since that time, the city has tripled its population to nearly 80,000 and now encompasses more than 76.6 square miles.
As of the census 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/sq mi (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.
North Charleston has many highways, including Interstate 26 and 526, US Highways 78 and 52 and State Highways 7 and 642. Charleston International Airport and Charleston Air Force Base are located in the city limits. North Charleston is also a port and rail city.
Centrally located near the intersection of Interstate 26 and 526, Charleston International Airport provides 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 inlcude AirTran, AmericanAirlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, United Express, and US Airways.
The metropolitan area is served by approximately 100 motor carriers servicing routes throughout the US.
The South Carolina State Ports Authority has four intermodal facilities, one of which is located in North Charleston. Each facility handles container, bulk, and break bulk cargo. With more than 2 million square feet of warehouse and storage space, the port terminals can accommodate more than 17 vessels at a time.
Amtrak, Norfolk Southern, the CSX System and the South Carolina Railroad Commission serve the region.
The city is also served by a bus system, operated by the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA). The majority of the urban area 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 the city and metropolitan area are served by a different bus system, operated by Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Rural Transportation Management Association (BCD-RTMA).