Chapter ED Intelligence · Chapter Report
ARC of Lowcountry South Carolina
Southeast and Caribbean Division · South Carolina Region
SC · 9 counties · HQ North Charleston, SC · FEMA Region IV
1,222,685
People
495,380
Households
39.3%
Households below the ALICE survival threshold
9
Counties · 7,499 sq mi
Nearly 39% of households across this chapter live below the ALICE survival threshold — the working families one disaster away from crisis.
In this report · Economic vulnerability · Who lives here · Home fire mission (FLARE) · mission delivery & the bespoke relationship strategy to follow
Sources: American Red Cross geography + 2023 demographics reference table; United Way ALICE + poverty (latest county year).
Geography & Footprint
The chapter's footprint.
9
Counties
7,499
Square miles
1,222,685
People
South Carolina Region
Southeast and Caribbean Division
| County | People | Sq mi | % of chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 428,215 | 987 | 35.0% |
| Berkeley | 248,852 | 1,229 | 20.4% |
| Beaufort | 194,358 | 615 | 15.9% |
| Dorchester | 169,183 | 576 | 13.8% |
| Georgetown | 65,084 | 848 | 5.3% |
| Colleton | 38,550 | 1,075 | 3.2% |
| Jasper | 31,182 | 669 | 2.6% |
| Williamsburg | 30,348 | 937 | 2.5% |
| Hampton | 16,913 | 563 | 1.4% |
HQ: North Charleston, SC · FEMA Region IV. Counties sorted by population.
Who Lives Here
The people of this chapter.
40
Median age
$71,303
Median household income
17.4%
Age 65+
29.8%
Renter households
Age distribution
Race & ethnicity
Hispanic / Latino (any race): 8.8% of residents.
Source: American Red Cross 2023 demographics reference table. Chapter figures aggregate the 9 counties; median age and income are population-weighted.
Economic Vulnerability
Where the need is greatest.
| County | People | Median HH income | ALICE | Poverty | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton | 16,913 | $38,796 | 37.2% | 20.9% | 58.1% |
| Williamsburg | 30,348 | $41,212 | 30.4% | 27.3% | 57.6% |
| Colleton | 38,550 | $43,421 | 34.6% | 17.1% | 51.7% |
| Jasper | 31,182 | $47,817 | 25.6% | 20.1% | 45.8% |
| Dorchester | 169,183 | $72,822 | 30.4% | 12.3% | 42.6% |
| Georgetown | 65,084 | $60,020 | 28.0% | 14.0% | 42.0% |
| Berkeley | 248,852 | $76,908 | 30.2% | 9.4% | 39.6% |
| Beaufort | 194,358 | $73,100 | 28.6% | 9.8% | 38.4% |
| Charleston | 428,215 | $75,982 | 23.8% | 10.8% | 34.7% |
Combined = households in poverty plus ALICE households (above poverty, below the cost of basics), as a share of all county households. Source: United Way ALICE, latest county year.
Risk & Disaster History
What this chapter is up against.
$1346.8M
Expected annual loss, all hazards
Charleston
Highest-risk county
70.9%
Avg social vulnerability (SVI)
8
FEMA declarations, 5 yr (top county)
| County | NRI risk | Exp. annual loss | SVI %ile | FEMA 5yr | FEMA all |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | Relatively High | $499.8M | 43.4% | 6 | 27 |
| Beaufort | Relatively High | $255.6M | 46.9% | 8 | 24 |
| Berkeley | Relatively High | $213.5M | 54.5% | 8 | 30 |
| Dorchester | Relatively Moderate | $175.8M | 63.1% | 7 | 26 |
| Georgetown | Relatively Moderate | $90.2M | 53.0% | 7 | 30 |
| Colleton | Relatively Moderate | $37.8M | 96.6% | 8 | 28 |
| Williamsburg | Relatively Moderate | $30.2M | 96.3% | 7 | 30 |
| Jasper | Relatively Low | $28.8M | 88.3% | 8 | 24 |
| Hampton | Relatively Low | $15.1M | 96.2% | 8 | 25 |
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index 2025 (risk rating, expected annual loss), CDC/ATSDR SVI 2022 (social-vulnerability percentile), FEMA disaster declarations — via the Red Cross national county database.
Disaster History
A chapter shaped by disaster.
35
Federal disaster declarations
18
Hurricanes
Hurricane
Most common type
2026
Most recent
By incident type
Most recent declarations
| FY | Disaster | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm |
| 2024 | Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm |
| 2024 | Hurricane Helene | Hurricane |
| 2024 | Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm |
| 2024 | Hurricane Debby | Tropical Storm |
| 2023 | Hurricane Idalia | Hurricane |
| 2023 | Hurricane Ian | Hurricane |
| 2022 | Hurricane Ian | Hurricane |
| 2020 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Straight-Line Winds | Severe Storm |
| 2020 | Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 — county-level, deduplicated to unique disasters.
Home Fire Mission · FLARE 2024
Every home fire is a Red Cross moment.
559
Home fires (2024)
35.4%
Red Cross care rate
264
Fires with no Red Cross notification
4.6
Fires per 10,000 residents
Red Cross cared for 35% of home fires — but 264 (47%) happened with no Red Cross notification: the prevention, smoke-alarm, and response opportunity, county by county.
Source: FLARE Fire Incidents 2024 (American Red Cross, public layer). “With care” = Red Cross provided assistance; “no notification” = the Red Cross was never alerted to the fire.
Home Fire · Respond & Prevent
Red Cross shows up — and prevents.
4,674
Home-fire calls answered (RC response)
4,128
Single-family fire responses
8,396
Free smoke alarms installed
546
Multi-family fire responses
Red Cross answered 4,674 home-fire calls and installed 8,396 free smoke alarms across the chapter — response and prevention, county by county.
Sources: DRO National 800-RedCross Calls by County (RC fire responses); Smoke Alarm Installs FY15–FY24 (American Red Cross).
Blood & BioMed
The blood mission's local footprint.
85,288
Blood units collected (FY22–26)
3,782
Blood drives held
593
Drives in FY2026
9
Counties with drives
Blood drives are active in 9 of the chapter's 9 counties — every county without one is an employer or civic opening: a host site, a sponsored drive, a standing partnership.
Source: BioMed Collections FY22–FY26 (American Red Cross). Drives = collection events; units = products collected.
Red Cross Facilities
The chapter's physical footprint.
6
Red Cross facilities
0
Owned
6
Leased / licensed
2
BioMed sites
By type / function
BioMed facilities
Mt Pleasant SC Blood Donation CenterPlatelets & Red Cells
West Ashley Blood Donation CenterPlatelets & Red Cells
Sources: Red Cross real-estate portfolio (reintel.jbf.com) + BioMed facilities (biomed.jbf.com).
Locations, types and functions only — no cost, square footage, or lease terms are disclosed.
Red Cross Philanthropy · Major Donors
Who gives here.
Major-donor giving across the chapter — three fiscal years. Internal planning data.
$3,932,981
Total giving, 3-year
139
Major donors
$634,701
Current FY · ▼ 73% vs prior FY
$2,356,832
Top: Charleston
| County | Major donors | Total giving, 3-year |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 71 | $2,356,832 |
| Beaufort | 44 | $972,905 |
| Berkeley | 13 | $430,587 |
| Georgetown | 5 | $65,661 |
| Dorchester | 3 | $53,475 |
| Jasper | 1 | $37,500 |
| Colleton | 1 | $11,020 |
| Williamsburg | 1 | $5,000 |
Source: Red Cross major-donor giving by county, three fiscal years.
Internal / executive-director planning use — not donor-facing.
County Deep Dive
Charleston County
428,215
People
$75,982
Median HH income
34.7%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively High
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age38.5
ALICE households43,777
Poverty households19,917
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$499.8M
Social vulnerability (SVI)43.4%
FEMA declarations (all time)27
Home fires, CY2024153
Fires, no RC notification80
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$2,356,832
Charleston County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Berkeley County
248,852
People
$76,908
Median HH income
39.6%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively High
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age37.5
ALICE households29,508
Poverty households9,210
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$213.5M
Social vulnerability (SVI)54.5%
FEMA declarations (all time)30
Home fires, CY202488
Fires, no RC notification38
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$430,587
Berkeley County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Beaufort County
194,358
People
$73,100
Median HH income
38.4%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively High
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age43
ALICE households24,891
Poverty households8,539
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$255.6M
Social vulnerability (SVI)46.9%
FEMA declarations (all time)24
Home fires, CY202472
Fires, no RC notification52
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$972,905
Beaufort County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Dorchester County
169,183
People
$72,822
Median HH income
42.6%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age37.6
ALICE households19,910
Poverty households8,038
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$175.8M
Social vulnerability (SVI)63.1%
FEMA declarations (all time)26
Home fires, CY202487
Fires, no RC notification33
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$53,475
Dorchester County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Georgetown County
65,084
People
$60,020
Median HH income
42.0%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age50.5
ALICE households7,455
Poverty households3,716
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$90.2M
Social vulnerability (SVI)53.0%
FEMA declarations (all time)30
Home fires, CY202446
Fires, no RC notification19
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$65,661
Georgetown County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Colleton County
38,550
People
$43,421
Median HH income
51.7%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age43.3
ALICE households5,520
Poverty households2,731
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$37.8M
Social vulnerability (SVI)96.6%
FEMA declarations (all time)28
Home fires, CY202433
Fires, no RC notification15
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$11,020
Colleton County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Jasper County
31,182
People
$47,817
Median HH income
45.8%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age36.9
ALICE households3,184
Poverty households2,501
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$28.8M
Social vulnerability (SVI)88.3%
FEMA declarations (all time)24
Home fires, CY202416
Fires, no RC notification8
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$37,500
Jasper County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Williamsburg County
30,348
People
$41,212
Median HH income
57.6%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age42.4
ALICE households3,691
Poverty households3,316
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$30.2M
Social vulnerability (SVI)96.3%
FEMA declarations (all time)30
Home fires, CY202437
Fires, no RC notification13
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$5,000
Williamsburg County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Hampton County
16,913
People
$38,796
Median HH income
58.1%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age41.2
ALICE households2,644
Poverty households1,484
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$15.1M
Social vulnerability (SVI)96.2%
FEMA declarations (all time)25
Home fires, CY202427
Fires, no RC notification6
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr—
Hampton County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
Your Live Tools
The chapter's Experience Builder apps & federal tools.
Red Cross Intelligence Briefing
Chapter risk, hardship, hazards & county drilldowns
experience.arcgis.com
Disaster Response Intelligence
Spatial disaster-response intelligence
Experience Builder app
Red Cross Real Estate
Facilities & market intelligence
experience.arcgis.com
Service Area Planning
Service-area geography & planning
Experience Builder app
Community Mobilization V
Local resource & mobilization map
experience.arcgis.com
Biomed
Blood & BioMed footprint
experience.arcgis.com
FEMA RAPT
Resilience analysis & planning
www.fema.gov
Census Community Resilience
People & resilience context
www.census.gov
Red Cross Experience Builder apps give the live, drill-down companion to this report; federal tools add official context.
Sources & Methodology
Every number, traceable.
Tools produce facts; humans own decisions. Each figure in this report traces to a named source and vintage.
| Metric | Source | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| geography + 2023 demographics | ALICE master / Red Cross reference table | 2023 |
| ALICE + poverty households | MASTER counties ALICE+demographics | 2023 |
| flare | flare_fire_incidents (public AGOL, CY24) | CY2024 |
| smoke_alarms | GIS_MAP_FY15_to_FY24 (AGOL item b09f21d9…) | FY15–24 |
| lives_saved | Lives_Saved_Map_30_Apr_2026 (AGOL item ff313330…) | 2026 |
| blood | Biomed Collections 22-26 by chapter/county | FY22–26 |
| risk + disaster history | FEMA NRI 2025 · CDC SVI 2022 · FEMA declarations (red-cross-data county master) | FEMA NRI 2025 · SVI 2022 |
| fema disaster history | FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 | 2026 |
| facilities / real estate (no costs) | Red Cross facilities portfolio — reintel.jbf.com (locations, types & ownership only; no cost/lease terms) | FY25 |
| home-fire RC responses (SFF/MFF) | DRO National 800-RedCross Calls by County (org AGOL) | FY24–26 |
Geography: American Red Cross chapter↔county reference. The full machine-readable source ledger ships with the data bundle.
Appendix · County Data
Full county table.
| County | Pop | Households | Hardship | NRI risk | Exp. annual loss | Fires '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 428,215 | 183,176 | 34.7% | Relatively High | $499.8M | 153 |
| Berkeley | 248,852 | 93,142 | 39.6% | Relatively High | $213.5M | 88 |
| Beaufort | 194,358 | 79,957 | 38.4% | Relatively High | $255.6M | 72 |
| Dorchester | 169,183 | 63,276 | 42.6% | Relatively Moderate | $175.8M | 87 |
| Georgetown | 65,084 | 28,204 | 42.0% | Relatively Moderate | $90.2M | 46 |
| Colleton | 38,550 | 15,911 | 51.7% | Relatively Moderate | $37.8M | 33 |
| Jasper | 31,182 | 12,361 | 45.8% | Relatively Low | $28.8M | 16 |
| Williamsburg | 30,348 | 12,330 | 57.6% | Relatively Moderate | $30.2M | 37 |
| Hampton | 16,913 | 7,023 | 58.1% | Relatively Low | $15.1M | 27 |
One row per county. Combined hardship = poverty + ALICE households. Fires = FLARE CY2024.