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STATE · ADMITTED 1788 · 2020 ACS

South Carolina

5,118,425 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 $54,864. Population has grown 28% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $170,100.

SC
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,118,425
+28%since 2000
from 4,012,012 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
170 / sq mi
+28%since 2000
from 133 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.5
+14%since 2000
from 35.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3.3M3.8M4.4M4.9M5.5M1990201020202024South Carolina
20245.3M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,864
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,082 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,727
+63%since 2000
from $18,795 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
36.0%
+10.7 ptssince 2009
from 25.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 14.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade13.4%
US avg: 10%
Information11.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$170,100
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $83,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$918
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $510 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.7%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 72.2% in 2000
30.3% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+38%since 2000
from 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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic62.1%(3,178,552)
Black24.8%(1,269,031)
Hispanic / Latino6.9%(352,838)
Asian1.7%(89,394)
Other2.8%(145,347)
Diversity Score66.5%(3,403,221)
Diversity Score
66
+15%since 2000
from 58 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.0%
+8.6 ptssince 2000
from 20.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.3%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 76.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
10.8%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.1 min
+56%since 2000
from 16.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 81.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.5%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.4%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 62.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.8%
−26.5 ptssince 2009
from 62.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
51.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
5.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.4%
−73.0 ptssince 2013
from 83.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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 5,118,425 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in South Carolina?

The typical household in South Carolina earns about $54,864 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 $170,100, and the typical rent is about $918 a month.

How educated are people in South Carolina?

About 29.0% 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 14.7% of people in South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,631,722 residents, a change of about 47 percent over that period.

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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 →