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STATE · ADMITTED 1788 · 1990 CENSUS

South Carolina

3,486,703 residents · 46 counties · 475 cities · 1,323 census tracts
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The short version

South Carolina has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $26,256. Population has declined 13% since 2000. Median home value is $60,700.

SC
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,486,703
−13%vs 2000
vs 4,012,012 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
116 / sq mi
−13%vs 2000
vs 133 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
32.1
−9%vs 2000
vs 35.4 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
3.3M3.8M4.4M4.9M5.5M1990201020202024South Carolina
20245.3M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,256
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $37,082 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$11,897
−37%vs 2000
vs $18,795 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
15.4%
+1.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 14.1% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$60,700
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $83,100 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$376
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $510 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
69.9%
−2.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 72.2% in 2000
30.1% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+3%vs 2000
vs 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in South Carolina on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic66.1%(2,652,291)
Black29.4%(1,178,486)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(95,076)
Asian0.9%(35,568)
Other0%
Diversity Score57.8%(2,319,805)
1990
White, non-Hispanic69.1%(2,407,683)
Black29.8%(1,040,010)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(28,334)
Asian0.6%(21,298)
Other0.5%(17,712)
Diversity Score55.4%(1,931,424)
Diversity Score
55
−4%vs 2000
vs 58 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.6%
−3.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 20.4% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
68.3%
−8.0 ptsvs 2000
vs 76.3% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
5.4%
−1.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 6.9% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.4 min
+20%vs 2000
vs 16.1 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Section 02

Largest cities

1.Charleston159,423
2.Columbia147,035
3.North Charleston129,245
4.Mount Pleasant95,469
5.Rock Hill75,911
6.Greenville75,310
7.Summerville53,177
8.Goose Creek52,010
9.Greer50,007
10.Sumter43,094
11.Florence41,231
12.Myrtle Beach40,937
Frequently asked

How many people live in South Carolina?

South Carolina has about 3,486,703 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in South Carolina?

The typical household in South Carolina earns about $26,256 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is South Carolina expensive?

In South Carolina, the median home is worth about $60,700, and the typical rent is about $376 a month.

How educated are people in South Carolina?

About 16.6% of adults age 25 and over in South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in South Carolina?

About 15.4% of people in South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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Explore from here

Largest cities
CharlestonColumbiaNorth CharlestonMount PleasantRock HillGreenvilleSummervilleGoose Creek
All 46 counties
Greenville CountyCharleston CountyRichland CountyHorry CountySpartanburg CountyLexington CountyYork CountyBerkeley CountyAnderson CountyBeaufort CountyAiken CountyDorchester CountyPickens CountyFlorence CountyLancaster CountySumter CountyOconee CountyOrangeburg CountyKershaw CountyLaurens CountyGreenwood CountyGeorgetown CountyDarlington CountyCherokee CountyChesterfield CountyNewberry CountyColleton CountyJasper CountyChester CountyClarendon CountyEdgefield CountyWilliamsburg CountyMarion CountyDillon CountyUnion CountyMarlboro CountyAbbeville CountyBarnwell CountyFairfield CountySaluda CountyHampton CountyLee CountyCalhoun CountyBamberg CountyMcCormick CountyAllendale County
Metro areas
GreenvilleCharlestonColumbiaMyrtle BeachSpartanburgHilton Head IslandFlorenceSumterGreenwoodSenecaOrangeburgMurrells Inlet
Rankings
Highest income cities in South CarolinaFastest growing citiesAll US state rankings

DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →