Today, the Charleston County Sheriff's Office is one of the largest full-service Sheriff's Offices in the State of South Carolina. Charleston County is South Carolina's seventh largest county geographically and its third-most populous. As a political subdivision, Charleston County has been in existence since 1682, as one of three original counties in South Carolina. The Sheriff's Office serves a complex and diverse population which continues to experience steady population growth. Latest U. S. Census reports indicate a population of 365, 209 in an area of 916.0 square miles. Along with its cultural, recreational, and historical attractions, Charleston County boasts 90 miles of coastline and 192 miles of creeks and rivers. The agency is proud to be internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, the American Corrections Association, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care reflecting the commitment of the Sheriff's Office to continually improve the quality of law enforcement service provided to the citizens of Charleston County.