BERKELEY COUNTY

The largest of the three Metro area counties, is situated in the southeastern part of South Carolina, and is home to seven municipal governments: Bonneau, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Jamestown, Moncks Corner, St. Stephen, and Daniel Island. It is one of the fastest growing counties in the state – just check out the statistics: a population of 163,622 in 2007 is expected to increase to an astonishing 172,940 by the year 2015!

Since its establishment in the late 17th century, Berkeley County has remained a center of commerce and industry The county’s economy, however, is rapidly changing. While agriculture remains important, the manufacturing sector now provides the county with the largest employment opportunities. Companies like Amoco, DuPont, and Bayer Corporation are among the 75+ manufacturing facilities presently operating in Berkeley County.

The expanding economy is not the only factor drawing new residents to the area. A combination of the county’s mild climate year-round, its close proximity to the Atlantic coastline, and the Francis Marion National Forest present an invitation for active lifestyles and a high quality of life.

The Francis Marion National Forest lies predominately in Berkeley County with great opportunities for hunting, bird watching, camping, biking, or exploring. Two of the Palmetto Trail’s most exciting and diverse sections run through Francis Marion Forest and around Lake Moultrie.

Head to Lakes Marion and Moultrie to enjoy any number of outdoor activities. Along the beautiful shorelines and amongst an abundance of wildlife, guests find passages to hike the Palmetto Trail while water lovers can take their boat and enjoy fishing, swimming, diving, or skiing.

Seek the charm of the past by visiting any of the historic sites scattered throughout the county, some dating back to the time of the first European settlers. For example, visit the Rice Hope Plantation, a bed and breakfast on a broad expanse of old rice fields, and the Nesbitt House, an 18th-century dwelling that now houses the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, in Moncks Corner.

Take the family to the Berkeley Museum, located on the grounds of Stony Landing Plantation. See 13,000 years of history in exhibits and artifacts that spotlight General Francis Marion, the first Americans (the Archaic Indians), colonial life, the Civil War, early medicine, rural electrification, early education, and Francis Marion National Forest. Don’t miss the Little David Torpedo Boat, the first semi-submersible torpedo boat used in an October 1863 Civil War harbor attack.

Bonneau is a quiet, friendly community of 354 located seven miles north of Moncks Corner in popular Santee Cooper Country. It is surrounded by Francis Marion National Forest and includes the Dennis Wildlife Center and Bayless Hatchery.

Daniel Island is a traditional town with charming neighborhoods, beautiful parks and tree-lined streets. Residents here enjoy a vibrant community and the gentle pace of a small town living. With an expanding business community, education system, and diverse recreational activities, Daniel Island offers residents an unbeatable quality of life.

Goose Creek is the largest city in Berkeley County with a population of more than 31,900. Its planned developments are the model for new single-family homes in the Metro region, offering amenities from private boat docks to bicycle and jogging paths. The community offers numerous parks, tennis courts, ball fields, and a country club.

As the Berkeley County Seat, the town of Moncks Corner presently has a population of more than 6,800 people. Only 30 minutes from the bustle of downtown Charleston, Moncks Corner offers residents and tourists a quiet refuge. With Lake Moultrie, a 60,400-acre man-made lake nearby, residents enjoy outdoor activities such as boating, swimming, skiing, hunting, and fishing.

St. Stephen is located in northern Berkeley County, 15 miles north of Moncks Corner and four miles east of Lake Moultrie. Lake Moultrie and nearby Lake Marion were created in the early 1940s by the Santee Cooper Project and are famous for a fish population which has produced several world records. This town is home to more than 1,700 people.