State
South Carolina
South Carolina. South Carolina had 5,570,274 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 8.8% since 2020, faster than the United States (+3.1%). 475 places (271 incorporated and 204 census-designated) in 46 counties; 30,064 square miles of land.
Residents, 2025 estimate
5,570,274
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,118,425
Median household income
$69,324
±$570 (90% margin)
Median home value
$259,000
±$1,421 (90% margin)
Median gross rent
$1,180
±$9 (90% margin)
How many people live in South Carolina?
The 2020 Census counted 5,118,425 residents in South Carolina. The Census Bureau estimates 5,570,274 for July 1, 2025, up 8.8% since 2020, faster than the United States (+3.1%). 50.1% of residents live in an incorporated place or a census-designated place; the rest live outside any place.
South Carolina is the 23rd-most populous of the 50 states by the July 2025 estimates (every state ranked).
| Measure | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,296,225 | +275,419 |
| Households | 2,117,989±5,782 | +196,127 |
| Average household size | 2.44±0.01 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 2,443,039±311 | +156,213 |
South Carolina's population since 2000
From 4,012,012 in 2000 to 5,570,274 in 2025: up 38.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025; 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What are the largest cities in South Carolina?
Charleston is South Carolina's largest place with 159,423 residents in 2025, followed by Columbia (147,035 residents in 2025) and North Charleston (129,245 residents in 2025).
| Place | Residents | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 159,423 | $92,414 |
| Columbia | 147,035 | $55,529 |
| North Charleston | 129,245 | $62,956 |
| Mount Pleasant | 95,469 | $124,755 |
| Rock Hill | 75,911 | $68,771 |
| Greenville | 75,310 | $71,472 |
| Summerville | 53,177 | $81,046 |
| Goose Creek | 52,010 | $88,178 |
| Greer | 50,007 | $82,626 |
| Sumter | 43,094 | $55,592 |
| Florence | 41,231 | $56,143 |
| Myrtle Beach | 40,937 | $60,394 |
| Spartanburg | 39,978 | $51,964 |
| Fort Mill | 38,673 | $121,823 |
| Hilton Head Island | 38,196 | $94,657 |
| Bluffton | 36,807 | $111,281 |
| Aiken | 33,808 | $76,746 |
| Mauldin | 31,465 | $82,331 |
| Anderson | 31,323 | $46,933 |
| Conway | 30,627 | $56,650 |
| Simpsonville | 28,459 | $82,457 |
| Easley | 27,319 | $66,299 |
| North Augusta | 26,982 | $86,092 |
| Carolina Forest | 26,263 | $74,436 |
| Lexington | 25,729 | $87,126 |
Source: PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025); American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Census population estimates
What counties are in South Carolina?
South Carolina has 46 counties. Greenville County is the largest with 583,125 residents in 2025; Allendale County is the smallest with 7,355.
Source: PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025), U.S. Census Bureau · Census population estimates
Who lives in South Carolina?
The median resident of South Carolina is 40.2 years old; 21.4% are under 18 and 18.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 61.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 24.6%. 5.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.2±0.2 | +0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 21.4%±0.1 pts | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.9%±0.1 pts | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.4%±0.1 pts | +1.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 61.9%±0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 24.6%±0.1 pts | −2.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.1 pts | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.1 pts | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.8%±0.1 pts | +0.8 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.4%±0.1 pts | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.3%±0.1 pts | – |
| With a disability | 14.6%±0.2 pts | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.6%±0.2 pts | −0.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.1%±0.2 pts | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.1%±0.3 pts | +4.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.3%±0.2 pts | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.7%±0.1 pts | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in South Carolina earn?
Half of South Carolina's 2,117,989 households earn less than $69,324 a year (±$570). In 2015-2019 the median was $65,472 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,852 after inflation. 14.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,324±$570 | +$3,852 |
| Mean household income | $95,567±$698 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,236±$299 | +$3,022 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.1%±0.2 pts | −1.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.4%±0.6 pts | −2.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.5%±0.2 pts | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.8%±0.2 pts | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in South Carolina?
Owners occupy 71.9% of South Carolina's occupied homes and renters 28.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $259,000 by its owner (±$1,421). The median renter pays $1,180 a month including utilities, and 42.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $259,000±$1,421 | +$59,258 |
| Median gross rent | $1,180±$9 | +$80 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.8%±0.7 pts | +2.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,529±$7 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.9%±0.3 pts | +2.5 pts |
| Housing units | 2,443,039±311 | +156,213 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.1 pts | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.3%±0.3 pts | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.5%±0.2 pts | – |
| Mobile homes | 14.2%±0.2 pts | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.7%±0.1 pts | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.6%±0.1 pts | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is South Carolina building?
Builders took permits for 45,862 new housing units in South Carolina in 2025 (39,897 single-family), 8.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files summed by state, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in South Carolina get to work?
76.3% of South Carolina's workers drive alone and 11.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.5%±0.2 pts | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±0.1 pts | −0.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.3%±0.3 pts | – |
| Carpooled | 8.5%±0.2 pts | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.1 pts | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±0.1 pts | – |
| Worked from home | 11.5%±0.2 pts | +7.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.6 min±0.1 | +0.6 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections