C h a n g e  o f  A d d r e s s USPS Online Address Change C o u n t y Charleston   A r e a   C o d e 843 G e o g r a p h y Charleston, a major East Coast port, is centrally located on South Carolina's Atlantic Coast, seven miles from the open ocean. Much of the city is situated on a peninsula, with the Cooper River to the east and the Ashley River to the west. The two rivers converge to form Charleston Harbor. Although the original city occupies only the peninsula, the present city limits extend across the Ashley River. Metropolitan Charleston includes Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties and is known as the Trident area. Municipalities in the immediate vicinity of Charleston include: Folly Beach Goose Creek Isle of Palms Mount Pleasant North Charleston Sullivan's Island Summerville Terrain of this region is generally flat, ranging in elevation from sea level to 25 feet above. In addition to the Cooper and Ashley rivers, Charleston Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean, major topographic features include the Wando and Stono rivers, Goose Creek Reservoir and many small creeks, bays, beaches and islands. Charleston County has approximately 91 miles of Atlantic coastline. The Charleston area is the site of a number of military installations. Primary facilities include the Charleston Air Force Base, Coast Guard Base, Naval Station, Naval Shipyard and Naval Weapons Station.   C l i m a t e The climate is temperate, modified by the proximity of the ocean. Average temperatures range from 25°F to 95°F. Average annual rainfall measures approximately 51 inches.   P o p u l a t i o n City: 80,414 County: 295,039 Metro Area: 506,875   G o v e r n m e n t City - Mayor/Council County - Council County Seat - Charleston Information about city and county government policies and procedures can be obtained from: Charleston City Hall 80 Broad Street Charleston 29401 724-3743 Charleston County Courthouse 2 Courthouse Square Charleston 29401 958-4000 Addresses and phone numbers for the other city and town halls are appended.   T a x e s Property tax rates may fluctuate yearly and vary according to location of residence. For information, contact the Charleston County Assessor's Office, phone 958-4100. L i c e n s e s State auto and driver licenses may be obtained from: State Department of Revenue & Taxation Motor Vehicle Division Driver's License & Vehicle Registration 800-442-1368 180 Lockwood Drive Charleston 29401 727-2140 3790 Leeds Avenue North Charleston 29405 740-6168   E c o n o m y   &   E m p l o y m e n t The primary contributors to the area's economy are the military/government, education and health care facilities. Also of importance are manufacturing, construction, tourism and the wholesale, retail and service industries. For information about current employment opportunities in the area, contact: State Employment Security Commission 176 Lockwood Charleston 29403 792-7046   H o u s i n g Because the availability and cost of homes and apartments change constantly, it is advisable to check the classified columns of the local newspapers, particularly the Sunday editions, for current information. Or, contact the following for assistance and/or names of realtors: Charleston-Trident Association of Realtors Inc. 5300 International Boulevard, Suite C105 North Charleston 29418 760-9400 Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce 81 Mary Street 29403 P.O. Box 975 Charleston 29402-0975 577-2510 U t i l i t i e s Water Charleston Water Department 103 St. Phillip Street Charleston 29403 727-6800 Gas & Electric South Carolina Electric & Gas Company 554-7234 Berkeley Electric Co-op (553-5020) supplies electric service in Goose Creek. Gas service is provided by South Carolina Electric & Gas. Cable Comcast Cablevision 554-4100 Dish Network 800-333-3474 Time Warner Cable 871-7000 Phone BellSouth 780-2355 (Within SC) 800-336-0014 (Outside SC) BellSouth serves the entire Charleston metro area. Refuse Charleston Sanitation Division 1950 Milford Street Charleston 29405 724-7364 The names and phone numbers of the water and refuse companies serving the metro area communities are appended.   E d u c a t i o n Elementary and secondary public school information may be obtained from: Berkeley County School District 229 East Main Street Moncks Corner 29461 723-4627 Charleston County School District 75 Calhoun Street Charleston 29401 937-6300 Dorchester County School District #2 102 Greenwave Boulevard Summerville 29483 873-2901 Colleges/Universities Public The Citadel (The Military College of South Carolina), College of Charleston, Medical University of South Carolina and Trident Technical College. Private Charleston Southern University, Johnson & Wales University, Limestone College and a number of business, professional, trade and technical schools. Several colleges and universities offer classes at Charleston Air Force Base. B a n k s The area has ten banks, two savings banks and eight credit unions. In order to transfer credit information, ask your present banker for assistance. New checking accounts may take ten working days to open. Grocery stores will not cash out-of-town checks. New residents may need traveler's checks, cash and/or credit cards. P l a c e s   o f   W o r s h i p The metropolitan area has three synagogues and numerous churches representing a variety of denominations. Additional information may be obtained from: Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce 81 Mary Street 29403 P.O. Box 975 Charleston 29402-0975 577-2510 Catholic Diocese of Charleston 119 Broad Street Charleston 29401 723-3488 N e w s p a p e r s Charleston's daily paper is the Post and Courier (mornings and Sunday). For home delivery service, contact: Post and Courier 134 Columbus Street Charleston 29403 853-7678 L i b r a r y Charleston County Main Library 68 Calhoun Street Charleston 29403 805-6930 In addition to the Main Library, there are 14 branch libraries located throughout the county. M e d i c a l   C a r e Hospitals in Charlotte include Bon Secours-St. Francis Xavier Hospital, Charleston Memorial Hospital, Medical University of South Carolina Medical Center, Roper Hospital, Roper Rehabilitation Hospital, Trident Medical Center and Veteran's Administration Medical Center. Other hospitals in the area include Roper Hospital North (North Charleston), Columbia Summerville Medical Center (Summerville) and East Cooper Regional Medical Center (Mt. Pleasant). For assistance in selecting a family doctor, contact: Charleston County Medical Society 198 Rutledge Avenue Charleston 29403 577-3613 For Medicare information, contact: Social Security Administration 800-772-1213 334 Meeting Street, Room 504 Charleston 29403 727-4345 4995 Lacross Road, Suite 2700 North Charleston 29406 747-1554 O r g a n i z a t i o n s A listing of local organizations can usually be obtained from the local chamber of commerce, the phone book, or your present chapter can usually refer you to the local organization in your in your new city. C u l t u r e Cultural organizations and activities include the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Ballet Theatre, Footlight Players Theatre and the Charleston Concert Association. Many cultural activities are held at the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium. The Spoleto Festival U.S.A., held from late May to early June, features traditional, contemporary and experimental forms of theater, dance, music and visual arts. The Gibbes Museum of Art and the Charleston Museum offers outstanding collections & exhibits. R e c r e a t i o n For information about municipal and county recreational programs and facilities, contact: Charleston City Recreation Department 724-7327 Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission 861 Riverland Drive Charleston 29412 762-2172 S h o p p i n g A number of antique shops, art galleries and specialty shops are located along several streets in the downtown area. Other major shopping areas and centers include Charles Towne Square, Citadel Mall and Northwoods Mall. Major Retail Outlets Allied, Belk's, Condon's, Dillard's, Dollar General, Family Dollar, K-Mart, Kerrisons, Marshalls, Montgomery Ward, J.C. Penney, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sam's Club, Sears, Service Merchandise, Super Ten, TJ Maxx and Wal-Mart. Chain Grocers Bi-Lo, Doscher's, Foodland, Food Lion, Harris-Teeter, IGA, Majik Market, The Pantry, Piggly Wiggly, Publix, 7-Eleven, Scotchman and Winn-Dixie. T r a n s p o r t a t i o n City and suburban bus service is furnished by Charleston City Bus Service; phone 747-0922 for routes, fares and schedules. Taxicabs and rental cars are also available throughout the area. Interstate passenger service is provided by Amtrak and Greyhound Bus Lines. Charleston International Airport, located 12 miles northwest of downtown, services a number of commercial airlines. A d d i t i o n a l  I n f o r m a t i o n A REVIEW OF CHARLESTON'S SUBURBS BERKELEY COUNTY Goose Creek (City of) Zip Code - 29445 Population - 24,692 Government - City Hall, 125 St. James Avenue, phone 797-6220. Water - Berkeley County Water & Sanitation Authority, 2111 Red Bank Road, phone 572-4400. CHARLESTON COUNTY Folly Beach (City of) Zip Code - 29439 Population - 1,398 Government - City Hall, 21 Center Street, phone 588-2447. Water - Folly Beach Water Department, 21 Center Street, phone 588-2447. Isle of Palms (City of) Zip Code - 29451 Population - 3,680 Government - City Hall, 1207 Palm Boulevard, phone 886-6428. Water - Isle of Palms Water & Sewer Commission, 1300 Palm Boulevard, phone 886-6148. Recreation - Isle of Palms Recreation Department, 24 28th Avenue, phone 886-8294. Mount Pleasant (Town of) Zip Code - 29464 Population - 30,108 Government - Town Offices, 100 Ann Edwards Lane, phone 884-8517. Water - Mount Pleasant Waterworks & Sewer Commission, 1619 Rifle Range Road, phone 884-9626. Recreation - Mt. Pleasant Recreation Department, Jones Recreation Center, 391 Egypt Road, phone 884-2528. North Charleston (City of) Population - 70,218 Government - City Offices, 4900 LaCross Road 29406, phone 554-5700. Water - City of North Charleston, 1021 Aragon Street 29405, phone 745-1026. Recreation - North Charleston Recreation and Parks Department, phone 740-2699 Sullivans Island (Town of) Zip Code - 29482 Population - 1,623 Government - Town Hall, 1610 Middle Street, phone 883-3198. Water - Sullivan's Island Water Department, 1610 Middle Street, phone 883-3947 DORCHESTER COUNTY Summerville (Town of) Population - 22,519 Government - Town Hall, 104 Civic Center 29483, phone 871-6000. Water - City of Summerville, phone 871-0810. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce 81 Mary Street 29403 P.O. Box 975 Charleston 29402-0975 577-2510 http://www.chamber.charleston.net/move/events.htm Greater Summerville-Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce 106 East Doty Avenue 29483 P.O. Box 670 Summerville 29484 873-2931 Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 905 Moncks Corner 2946 761-8238