Charleston, SC town hall & government
Charleston spent $463.1 million in the year to December 31, 2023, about $3,054 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Charleston's government.
Who runs Charleston
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Coming up at Charleston's town hall
No upcoming meetings are posted yet.
Recent meetings
- Aug 4Tue · 5:15 pmBoard of Zoning Appeals - ZoningBoard of Zoning Appeals - Zoning (BZA-Z) Meeting2 George Street, Public Meeting Room (First Floor) Meeting page ↗
- Jul 7Tue · 5:15 pmBoard of Zoning Appeals - ZoningBoard of Zoning Appeals - Zoning (BZA-Z) Meeting2 George Street, Public Meeting Room (First Floor) Meeting page ↗
- Jun 16Tue · 5:15 pmBoard of Zoning Appeals - ZoningBoard of Zoning Appeals - Zoning (BZA-Z) Meeting2 George Street, Public Meeting Room (First Floor) Meeting page ↗
- Jun 2Tue · 5:15 pmBoard of Zoning Appeals - ZoningBoard of Zoning Appeals - Zoning (BZA-Z) Meeting2 George Street, Public Meeting Room (First Floor) Meeting page ↗
Official listings from Charleston's agenda portal ↗, checked daily. Times are local. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check the portal before you go.
Where Charleston's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Utility sales 30%
- Other taxes & licenses 22%
- Property taxes 18%
- Sales taxes 11%
- Interest, fines & other 9%
- Fees & charges 8%
- From the state 1%
- From the federal government 1%
Who works for Charleston
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Charleston County School District
Charleston's K–12 school district, shared with Awendaw, Folly Beach, Hollywood, Isle of Palms, James Island and Kiawah Island. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from South Carolina districts overall: 45% local, 43% state, 13% federal
- Local 64%
- State 23%
- Federal 13%
Of the $18,199 per pupil, $9,517 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving Charleston: Berkeley County School District ($13,371 per pupil).
Which schools Charleston kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Charleston pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Charleston's government
Who represents Charleston
Charleston is represented in Congress by Senators Tim Scott and Darline Graham and Representatives Nancy Mace and James E. Clyburn. Henry McMaster is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.