its present name in 1783. It moved to its
present location on Oyster Point in 1680 from a location on the west bank of
the Ashley River known as Albemarle Point. By 1690, Charles Towne was the fifth
largest city in North America, and it remained among the ten largest cities in
the United States through the 1840 census. With a 2010 census population of
120,080 (and a 2012 estimate of 125,583), current trends put Charleston as the
fastest-growing municipality in South Carolina. The Charleston Metropolitan
area, comprising Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, population was
counted by the 2012 estimate at 697,439 – the second largest in the state – and
the 78th-largest metropolitan statistical area in the United States.
Known for its rich history, well-preserved
architecture, distinguished restaurants, and mannerly people, Charleston has
received a large number of accolades, including "America's Most Friendly
[City]" by Travel + Leisure
in 2011 and in 2013 by Condé Nast
Traveler, and also "the most polite and hospitable city in
America" by Southern Living
magazine
