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The City of North Charleston is located in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester Counties in the southeastern part of South Carolina. It is just northwest of the City of Charleston. Incorporated in 1972, it is South Carolina's youngest city of any size. Over the past 32 years North Charleston has experienced rapid growth. That is one of the key reasons the metropolitan area (including the City of Charleston and the City of North Charleston) is among the fastest growing Sunbelt areas.

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According to the 2000 census, the City of North Charleston had a population 79,641 residents and covered approximately 59 square miles. The City is the State's third largest municipality in population and area. An aggressive annexation strategy has increased the City's population to 91,000 and some 76 plus square miles.  North Charleston has been growing to the west and the north into Dorchester County. This property was primarily undeveloped, but now Dorchester is one of the fastest growing counties in South Carolina.

Annexation has allowed the extension of infrastructure. This, along with the City being located in the geographic and population center of the metropolitan area and its position as the transportation hub of the region has contributed to rapid growth.