📊 Charleston-North Charleston, SC Market Demographics
Population
816,000
🟢 Census ACS 2023
Median Household Income
$68,100
🟢 ACS Table B19013
Median Age
37.2 yrs
🟢 ACS Table B01002
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
🟢 BLS LAUS
Homeownership Rate
63.8%
🟢 ACS Table B25003
📋 Market Analysis: Why Charleston for Franchising?
Income & purchasing power. Charleston's median household income of $68,100 is 9% below the national median of $75,149. Markets near the national income median support a broad range of franchise categories — neither constrained to budget concepts nor reliant on premium positioning.
Labor market conditions. The unemployment rate in Charleston is 3.8%, 0.2pp above the national average of 3.6%. A labor market near the national average provides balanced conditions for franchise operations — neither constrained by labor shortages nor burdened by weak demand.
Homeownership & service demand. At 63.8%, homeownership in Charleston is 1.4pp below the national rate of 65.2%. Homeownership near the national average supports moderate demand across both home services and consumer-facing franchise categories.
Top opportunity: Home Services. With a Penetration Index of 44 (56% below the national average), Home Services has the highest Opportunity Score of 87/100 in Charleston. The market has an estimated 80 existing units versus 180 expected based on population — a gap of roughly 100 units that represents white-space opportunity for new entrants.
How Charleston compares. Demographically similar metro areas include Allentown, North Port, Boise City. Comparing franchise penetration across peer markets can reveal whether Charleston's opportunity gaps are local (untapped demand) or structural (category fit for the region). Explore each peer market for side-by-side franchise category analysis.
#1
🏠
Home Services
Cleaning, landscaping, HVAC, plumbing, and home improvement service franchises
87
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
44
56% below avg
Est. Units (Charleston)
80
vs 180 expected
Avg Investment
$80,000–$300,000
typical range
56% below peer-market average — 80 estimated units vs 180 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD disclosures + IFA annual report
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Charleston →
#2
🚗
Automotive Services
Oil change, auto repair, detailing, and specialty automotive service franchises
83
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
48
52% below avg
Est. Units (Charleston)
31
vs 65 expected
Avg Investment
$180,000–$450,000
typical range
52% below peer-market average — 31 estimated units vs 65 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from Census business patterns (NAICS 8111)
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Charleston →
#3
💪
Fitness & Wellness
Gyms, boutique fitness studios, yoga, martial arts, and wellness centers
76
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
57
43% below avg
Est. Units (Charleston)
56
vs 98 expected
Avg Investment
$200,000–$600,000
typical range
42% below peer-market average — 56 estimated units vs 98 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from IFA membership data + FDD Item 20
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Charleston →
#4
⚕️
Healthcare & Medical
Urgent care, physical therapy, dental, vision, and medical staffing franchises
76
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
57
43% below avg
Est. Units (Charleston)
28
vs 49 expected
Avg Investment
$300,000–$900,000
typical range
42% below peer-market average — 28 estimated units vs 49 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from CMS provider data + FDD Item 20
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Charleston →
#5
🍔
Fast Food / QSR
Quick-service restaurants including burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and ethnic fast food
75
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
58
42% below avg
Est. Units (Charleston)
188
vs 326 expected
Avg Investment
$250,000–$800,000
typical range
42% below peer-market average — 188 estimated units vs 326 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD Item 20 + Census business patterns
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Charleston →
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📈 Peer Market Comparison — Similar Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Population | Median HHI |
|---|
| 📍 Charleston-North Charleston, SC (this market) | 816,000 | $68,100 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ |
847,000 |
$67,700 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL |
855,000 |
$69,700 |
| Boise City, ID |
801,000 |
$64,200 |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best franchise categories to open in Charleston?
Based on our data analysis, the top franchise categories in Charleston by Opportunity Score are: 1. Home Services (Score: 87/100), 2. Automotive Services (Score: 83/100), 3. Fitness & Wellness (Score: 76/100), 4. Healthcare & Medical (Score: 76/100), 5. Fast Food / QSR (Score: 75/100). These scores are based on population demographics from US Census ACS 2023 and franchise unit count estimates from FDD Item 20 disclosures.
How many people live in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area?
According to the US Census American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates, the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metropolitan statistical area has a population of 816,000.
What is the median household income in Charleston?
The median household income in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $68,100, according to US Census ACS 2023 estimates (ACS Table B19013).
How many Home Services franchise units are in Charleston?
Based on FDD Item 20 disclosures and Census business pattern data, Charleston has an estimated 80 Home Services franchise units, compared to 180 expected based on the metro's population. This gives a Penetration Index of 44 — indicating a potentially underserved market.
How does the Charleston market compare to similar metro areas for franchising?
Charleston has a population of 816,000 and median household income of $68,100, which is -9% below the national median. Comparable metro areas include Allentown, North Port, Boise City. We recommend comparing opportunity scores across peer metros before selecting a territory, as penetration gaps vary significantly between demographically similar markets.
What factors should I consider before opening a franchise in Charleston?
Key factors include: (1) local income levels — Charleston's $68,100 median HHI determines which franchise price points the market supports, (2) category saturation — check the Penetration Index for your target category, (3) labor availability — the 3.8% unemployment rate affects staffing costs, and (4) real estate — homeownership at 63.8% influences both commercial lease availability and home services demand. Use our Territory Opportunity Finder for a complete category-by-category analysis.
📚 Data Sources & Methodology
This analysis is based on:
- US Census American Community Survey 2023 (5-year estimates)
- Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD Item 20) through 2024
- International Franchise Association (IFA) market data
How Opportunity Scores are calculated: Scores combine franchise category penetration (estimated from FDD Item 20 data),
local income levels, unemployment, and regional market factors. A score of 80+ indicates strong underpenetration;
50–79 indicates moderate opportunity; below 50 indicates a saturated or challenging market.
What "estimated" means: Unit counts marked 🟡 are derived from FDD disclosures for major franchisors
and Census business pattern data. They are directional estimates, not precise counts. Verify through individual FDD Item 20 research.
Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only.
It does not constitute investment advice. Past market data does not guarantee future franchise performance.
Full methodology →
Last updated: April 1, 2026 · Data: US Census ACS 2023 · FDD through 2024
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