Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 2025
Mount pleasant is a city in South Carolina, United States. Located on the Atlantic coast of South Carolina, Mount Pleasant lies between the Charles River and the Wakendaw River. The city is 25 minutes north of Charleston. At the 2020 census, the population was 93,222, up from 67,843 in 2010. Mount Pleasant is part of the Charleston – North Charleston – Summerville metropolitan statistical area. It is the third – largest municipality in South Carolina, and the 103rd – largest in the united states.
Population
At the 2020 census, there were 93,222 people, 38,654 households, and 25,438 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,791.4 people per square miles (692.6/km2). There were 42,319 housing units at an average density of 666.6 per square mile (257.3/km2). The racial composition of the city was 83.45% White, 12.86% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 2.65% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.38% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latinos, of any race, were 7.24% of the population.
Culture
The town is known for its recreational amenities, boutique shopping, and dining. Nexton, a planned community located within the town limits that broke ground in 2015 features many attractions. The town's famous Sweetgrass Festival, named after Mount Pleasant's iconic sweetgrass baskets, takes place every spring at Boone Hall Plantation.
Special Events
Mount Pleasant hosts many events throughout the year, including:
1. Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival: This annual spring event draws visitors from around Charleston, featuring a seafood feast, live music, and a boat parade along the Cooper River.
2. Sweetgrass Festival: Mount Pleasant's signature event, the Sweetgrass Cultural Festival, highlights Mount Pleasant's rich history and African – American heritage through music, dance, and arts & crafts. Its held at Boone Hall Plantation, a 160 – acre (0.65 km2) historic site.
3. Taste of Charleston: Hosted annually by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association Inc., the event showcases Lowcountry cuisine, live music, and the "Waiters' Race."
4. Music on the Mount: Held annually at the Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, this event offers a free – family concert series where attendees can bring picnics and lawn chairs to enjoy a diverse range of music.
5. Lowcountry Oyster Festival: Taking place every January, this event is the world's largest oyster festival.
6. Cooper River Bridge Run: Billed as the largest 10K race in South Carolina, this event attracts over 40,000 runners, walkers, and fitness enthusiasts.
7. MOJA Arts Festival: An 11 – day celebration of local, regional, and national artists, this festival includes music, dance, film, theater, poetry, and visual arts.
8. Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade: This annual parade runs from the intersection of Coleman Boulevard and Whilden Street, continues on Coleman Boulevard toward the intersection of Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, and right onto Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, ending at the intersection of Mathis Ferry Road.
Local Attractions
1. Charles Pinckney National Historic Site: Charles Pinckney National Historic Site was established to preserve the plantation house of Charles Pinckney (1750 – 1824), a Founding Father of the United States who was born in South Carolina.
2. Boone Hall Plantation: In 1936, Boone Hall Plantation was opened to the public and has since become a well – known tourist attraction in the region.
3. Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site: It features a natural history museum and outdoor exhibits including a replicated 17th – century Indian village, a 1680 – 1730s trading post, a plantation house, and demonstration gardens.
4. Palmetto Islands County Park: This park consists of 943 acres of forest land, 256 acres of ponds, and marshes, and 23 acres of undeveloped wetlands. There are 10 miles of woodland and paved trails for hiking and bicycling that include a segment of the Lone Tree Creek Trail. The trails provide opportunities to see alligators, birds, fish, herons and turtles, deer, and ducks. The park is open from dawn to dusk.
5. Nature Center and Butterfly Pavilion: The Mount Pleasant Nature Center consists of nature trails, bird feeding areas, and a butterfly pavilion.
6. Memorial Waterfront Park: The 11 – acre waterfront park features walking trails, picnic sites, benches, swings, and playgrounds. Held here are outdoor concerts and other public events.
Food
The city offers a diverse selection of national restaurant chains and unique to Mount. Pleasant locales, including:
1. Toast of the Town: Voted "Best Place for Brunch" by Charleston Digest, the restaurant offers breakfast and brunch menus.
2. Vga French Bakery and Deli: This small French bakery serves traditional breakfast and lunch cuisine from France and Italy.
3. Gerald’s Place: An Italian bakery and deli, this family – owned restaurant serves a full menu of pasta, rice, and meat dishes, along with a variety of European pastries.
4. MI – BO’s Fresh Seafood: This family owned seafood restaurant has been serving the Charleston community fresh local and international seafood for over 20 years.
5. La Tabella: Homespun Italian fare, this restaurant serves up family – style pasta, antipasti, saltimbocca, and outdoor seating.
6. Basico Restaurant: Known for their modern American cuisine, this restaurant sources ingredients from local farms and purveyors.
7. Tin Roof: This entertainment restaurant offers live music, trivia nights, and activities for all ages.
8. The Boro Brew Pub: Family owned pub offering a selection of microbrews, burgers, sandwiches, and salads.
9. The Wicked Tuna: A sushi – bar – style restaurant, this location offers a full – service bar with cocktails and a raw bar with the fresh catch of the day.
People
Ranked as the 78th fastest growing, small, city in America, Mount Pleasant has a population of 93,222. In 2020, the population had a median age of 43, a household income of $81,659, a median house value of $326,900, and a median gross rent of $1,177.
History
The first visitors to the area were the Sewee people, who occupied the land between the Ashley and Wakendaw rivers. They hunted and fished along the creeks and rivers of the area and established several small villages. Captain Francis Nicholls, an English officer, was the first to explore the area in 1670. The Captain named the creek, which is now known as Town Creek, after the abundant tobacco farms in the area. He named the river the Ashley and the land between the two rivers, Nassau. For over 100 years, neither the English nor the Sewee people established any settlements in the area.
In 1725, Paul Pinkney, a wealthy plantation owner, founded the town. During the next several decades, plantations sprung up along the rivers. The planters harvested cotton, indigo, sugar cane, and other crops. The 375 – foot tall Mount Pleasant Tower serves as a landmark in the heart of the town. The Mount Pleasant Historical Society is located at the east end of the town.
Over the years, the area of Mount Pleasant grew, from 29 square miles in