Rank #23 by Population · Updated April 2026
South Carolina Population 2026
The population of South Carolina is 5,212,774 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 23rd-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $66,818, the median home value is $236,700, and the median age is 40.1.
South Carolina's population has grown 261.5% since 1910 (1,515,400 → 5,478,831).
5,212,774
Population
173
People / sq mi
$66,818
Median Income
40.1
Median Age
South Carolina covers 30,064 sq mi of land at a density of 173.4 people per square mile.
About South Carolina
South Carolina is a US state with a population of 5,212,774. It ranks #23 among US states by population. The median age is 40.1, older than the national median. The population is 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
The median household income in South Carolina is $66,818, below the US median of $74,580. 10.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $236,700, with monthly rent averaging $1,126. The homeownership rate of 71.4% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in South Carolina reflects 31.5% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 10.0% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 25.6 minutes each way.
South Carolina, #23 by population
South Carolina Population History (1910-2024)
The state of South Carolina had a population of 1,515,400 in 1910 and 5,478,831 in 2024, a 3.6× growth over 114 years. The peak was 5,478,831 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.26%.
5,478,831
Population (2024)
1,515,400
Population (1910)
5,478,831
Peak (2024)
1.26%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 1,515,400 |
| 1920 | 1,683,724 |
| 1930 | 1,738,765 |
| 1940 | 1,899,804 |
| 1950 | 2,117,027 |
| 1960 | 2,382,594 |
| 1970 | 2,590,516 |
| 1980 | 3,121,820 |
| 1990 | 3,486,703 |
| 2000 | 4,012,012 |
| 2010 | 4,625,364 |
| 2020 | 5,118,425 |
| 2020 | 5,132,249 |
| 2021 | 5,194,274 |
| 2022 | 5,287,935 |
| 2023 | 5,387,830 |
| 2024 | 5,478,831 |
Age Distribution
Male: 48.7% · Female: 51.3%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 64.1% |
| Black or African American | 25.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.3% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.3% |
Economy & Income
$66,818
Median Household Income
$37,993
Per Capita Income
10.1%
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Unemployment Rate
$92,833
Mean Household Income
56.6%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
South Carolina's overall price level is 93.7 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 6.3% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, South Carolina's median household income of $66,818 has the buying power of $71,273 in average-priced areas.
93.7
Price Level (US = 100)
$71,273
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$66,818
Nominal Median Income
Education
89.6%
High School Graduate+
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
57,820
Live Births (2022)
11.1
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
55.0%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 66.0% |
| Black or African American | 28.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 12.2% |
Housing
$236,700
Median Home Value
$1,126
Median Rent
2,401,638
Total Housing Units
71.4%
Owner-Occupied
28.6%
Renter-Occupied
13.8%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
91.8% of South Carolina residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in South Carolina:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 108,018 | 2.19% |
| 2 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 4,473 | 0.09% |
| 3 | Vietnamese | 3,901 | 0.08% |
| 4 | Polish | 3,674 | 0.07% |
| 5 | Tagalog (incl. Filipino) | 2,749 | 0.06% |
| 6 | Portuguese | 2,326 | 0.05% |
| 7 | Gujarati | 2,267 | 0.05% |
| 8 | Greek | 2,086 | 0.04% |
| 9 | French (incl. Cajun) | 2,022 | 0.04% |
| 10 | German | 1,594 | 0.03% |
Commute
0.4%
Drive Alone
1.7%
Carpool
10.0%
Work From Home
25.6 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston | 152,014 |
| 2 | Columbia | 138,019 |
| 3 | North Charleston | 117,460 |
| 4 | Mount Pleasant | 92,662 |
| 5 | Rock Hill | 74,769 |
| 6 | Greenville | 71,755 |
| 7 | Summerville | 51,262 |
| 8 | Goose Creek | 46,964 |
| 9 | Sumter | 43,065 |
| 10 | Florence | 40,205 |
| 11 | Greer | 39,191 |
| 12 | Spartanburg | 38,578 |
| 13 | Hilton Head Island | 37,805 |
| 14 | Myrtle Beach | 37,214 |
| 15 | Aiken | 32,334 |
| 16 | Bluffton | 31,323 |
| 17 | Anderson | 29,563 |
| 18 | Fort Mill | 28,281 |
| 19 | Carolina Forest | 26,373 |
| 20 | Conway | 26,082 |
Counties in South Carolina
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenville County | 537,575 | $74,624 |
| 2 | Richland County | 418,725 | $61,699 |
| 3 | Charleston County | 414,711 | $84,320 |
| 4 | Horry County | 368,937 | $64,623 |
| 5 | Spartanburg County | 338,096 | $64,195 |
| 6 | Lexington County | 300,370 | $75,014 |
| 7 | York County | 288,559 | $83,060 |
| 8 | Berkeley County | 238,723 | $82,327 |
| 9 | Anderson County | 207,218 | $64,683 |
| 10 | Beaufort County | 192,123 | $84,819 |
| 11 | Aiken County | 171,949 | $67,940 |
| 12 | Dorchester County | 164,322 | $76,896 |
| 13 | Florence County | 136,921 | $56,650 |
| 14 | Pickens County | 132,604 | $59,411 |
| 15 | Sumter County | 104,853 | $55,990 |
| 16 | Lancaster County | 100,905 | $74,751 |
| 17 | Orangeburg County | 83,531 | $43,214 |
| 18 | Oconee County | 79,566 | $60,193 |
| 19 | Greenwood County | 69,329 | $50,635 |
| 20 | Laurens County | 67,904 | $55,517 |
Compare South Carolina
Rankings for South Carolina
Read more about South Carolina
A complete guide to South Carolina demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
South Carolina Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in South Carolina
Congressional districts in South Carolina
Largest school districts in South Carolina
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about South Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
South Carolina has a population of 5,212,774 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 23rd-most populous state in the United States.
South Carolina is gaining population, with a +261.5% change over the available historical Census record. South Carolina's population has grown 261.5% since 1910 (1,515,400 → 5,478,831).
The median household income in South Carolina is $66,818, with a per capita income of $37,993. 10.1% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
64.1% of South Carolina's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 25.3% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 1.3% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
South Carolina is 64.1% White, 25.3% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 1.3% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in South Carolina is 40.1 years. The population is 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
South Carolina's population has grown 261.5% since 1910 (1,515,400 → 5,478,831).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. South Carolina's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.