Charleston Population Continues Slow Bleed, 2016 Census Shows

By Ali Schmitz Charleston’s population continues to decline. U.S. Census estimates for 2016 released Thursday show Charleston’s population has dipped to 49,138 — down almost 600 people from 2015’s population estimate of 49,736. Last year was the first time estimates showed that Charleston’s population had dipped below 50,000 since the 1920 census. Charleston’s population was at its highest, with more than 85,000 people living in the city, during the 1960 census. Charleston Mayor Danny Jones said he’s not too concerned by last year’s drop.