South Carolina

State

Add Comparison

2020 Population

5.09M

1.41% 1-year growth

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

39.7

0.761% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

14.7%

3.48% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$54,864

3.13% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$170,100

4.81% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

2.22M

1.39% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, South Carolina had a population of 5.09M people with a median age of 39.7 and a median household income of $54,864. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of South Carolina grew from 5.02M to 5.09M, a 1.41% increase and its median household income grew from $53,199 to $54,864, a 3.13% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in South Carolina are White (Non-Hispanic) (63.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (26.3%), White (Hispanic) (3.07%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.23%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.75%).

7.36% of the households in South Carolina reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.1% of the residents in South Carolina are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in South Carolina are University of South Carolina-Columbia (9,815 degrees awarded in 2020), Clemson University (7,207 degrees), and College of Charleston (2,549 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in South Carolina was $170,100, and the homeownership rate was 70.1%. Most people in South Carolina drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.1 minutes. The average car ownership in South Carolina was 2 cars per household.

South Carolina borders Georgia and North Carolina.

About the photo: Sunset on Hilton Head Island

Photo by Lee Coursey

United States

Diversity

South Carolina is home to a population of 5.09M people, from which 97.1% are citizens. As of 2020, 5.17% of South Carolina residents were born outside of the country (263k people).

In 2020, there were 2.42 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (3.23M people) in South Carolina than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.34M Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 156k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common non-English languages spoken as the primary langauge in households in South Carolina are Spanish (221,714 households), German (12,601 households), and Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) (11,894 households).

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in South Carolina

White (Non-Hispanic)
3.23M ± 1.87k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
1.34M ± 3.49k
White (Hispanic)
156k ± 3.85k

5.83%

Hispanic Population

297k people

5.83% of the people in South Carolina are hispanic (297k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in South Carolina as a share of the total population.

Non-English Households

Most Common Non-English Languages

Spanish
221,714 households (4.62%)
German
12,601 households (0.263%)
Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)
11,894 households (0.248%)

7.36% of the households in South Carolina reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language, which is lower than the national average of 21.5%. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

In 2020, the most common non-English language spoken in households in South Carolina was Spanish. 4.62% of the households in South Carolina reported speaking Spanish at home as the primary shared language between all members living in the household.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

5.17%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

263k people

5.03%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

253k people

As of 2020, 5.17% of South Carolina residents (263k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in South Carolina was 5.03%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in South Carolina compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.4

In 2020, the median age of all people in South Carolina was 39.7. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 39, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in South Carolina are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all South Carolina residents was 39.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Mexico
62,463 ± 6,098 people
India
16,261 ± 3,126 people
Honduras
12,981 ± 2,794 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 62,463 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 16,261 and Honduras with 12,981.

Citizenship

97.1%

2020 Citizenship

97.1%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 97.1% of South Carolina residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in South Carolina was 97.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in South Carolina compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
122,054 ± 2,307
Gulf War (2001-)
76,862 ± 2,286
Gulf War (1990s)
59,783 ± 2,186

South Carolina has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.59 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in South Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in South Carolina. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in South Carolina.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of South Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in South Carolina is $54,864. In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income in South Carolina was Beaufort County, SC with a value of $71,430, followed by York County, SC and Charleston County, SC, with respective values of $68,555 and $67,182.

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.37 times higher than the average income of females, which is $45,267. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.462, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of South Carolina employs 2.22M people. The largest industries in South Carolina are Restaurants & Food Services (161,099 people), Elementary & secondary schools (138,610 people), and Construction (135,915 people), and the highest paying industries are Aerospace products & parts manufacturing ($168,476), Professional & commercial equipment & supplies merchant wholesalers ($96,750), and Not specified metal industries ($95,827).

Wages

Median Household Income

$54,864

2020 value

± $343

3.13%

1 Year Growth

± 0.788%

Households in South Carolina have a median annual income of $54,864, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $53,199 in 2019, which represents a 3.13% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in South Carolina compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

$62,242

Average Male Salary in South Carolina

± $1,580

$45,267

Average Female Salary in South Carolina

± $1,127

In 2020, full-time male employees in South Carolina made 1.37 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in South Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in South Carolina

Asian
$61,019 ± $9,586
White
$53,104 ± $1,170
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$45,743 ± $14,232

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of South Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.15 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in South Carolina.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in South Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

0.462

2020 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.461

2019 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2020, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.462 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.305% growth from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in South Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in South Carolina was Beaufort County, SC with a value of $71,430, followed by York County, SC and Charleston County, SC, with respective values of $68,555 and $67,182.

The following map shows all of the counties in South Carolina colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

14.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in South Carolina (726k out of 4.95M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 55 - 64.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
346,694 ± 5,218
Black
311,319 ± 4,976
Hispanic
69,992 ± 2,277

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in South Carolina is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

2.22M

2020 Value

1.39%

1 Year growth

± 1.39%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in South Carolina grew at a rate of 1.39%, from 2.19M employees to 2.22M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in South Carolina, are Elementary & middle school teachers (56,277 people), Cashiers (55,049 people), and Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (53,585 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of South Carolina.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of South Carolina, by number of employees, are Elementary & middle school teachers (56,277 people), Cashiers (55,049 people), and Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (53,585 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other states, South Carolina has an unusually high number of residents working as Textile machine setters, operators, and tenders (6.26 times higher than expected), Tire builders (5.44 times), and Military enlisted tactical operations & air/weapons specialists & crew members (3.57 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of South Carolina, by average salary, are Surgeons ($300,233), Physicians ($239,588), and Magnetic resonance imaging technologists ($189,744).

Industries

Employment by Industries

2.22M

2020 Value

1.39%

1 Year growth

± 1.39%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in South Carolina grew at a rate of 1.39%, from 2.19M employees to 2.22M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in South Carolina, are Restaurants & Food Services (161,099 people), Elementary & secondary schools (138,610 people), and Construction (135,915 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of South Carolina, though some of these residents may live in South Carolina and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in South Carolina, by number of employees, are Restaurants & Food Services (161,099 people), Elementary & secondary schools (138,610 people), and Construction (135,915 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other states, South Carolina has an unusually high number of Tire manufacturing (11.5 times higher than expected), Fabric mills, except knitting mills (9.25 times), and Fiber, yarn, & thread mills (6.52 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in South Carolina, by average salary, are Aerospace products & parts manufacturing ($168,476), Professional & commercial equipment & supplies merchant wholesalers ($96,750), and Not specified metal industries ($95,827).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $38.2B, followed by Plastics/rubber ($32.1B) and Machinery ($26.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound South Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Carolina.

$285B

2020 Value in South Carolina

$613B

Projected 2050 Value in South Carolina

115% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Carolina trade was $285B. This is expected to increase 115% to $613B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound South Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

North Carolina
$30.1B
Georgia
$22.4B
Texas
$13.2B

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $30.1B, followed by Georgia with $22.4B and Texas and $13.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that South Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 55.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.11%). The most partisan county was Allendale County, SC with 75.6% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing the state of South Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (55.1%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.11%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 55.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.11%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for South Carolina

55.1% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in South Carolina

Allendale County, SC
75.6% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Pickens County, SC
74.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Oconee County, SC
73% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in South Carolina was Allendale County, SC with 75.6% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in South Carolina colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from South Carolina

Lindsey Graham

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2003

Tim Scott

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2013
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Jim DeMint.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing South Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in South Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from South Carolina

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for South Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in South Carolina awarded 58,613 degrees. The student population of South Carolina is skewed towards women, with 94,303 male students and 143,808 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in South Carolina are White (39,029 and 68.3%), followed by Black or African American (10,916 and 19.1%), Hispanic or Latino (2,816 and 4.93%), and Two or More Races (1,826 and 3.2%).

The largest universities in South Carolina by number of degrees awarded are University of South Carolina-Columbia (9,815 and 16.7%), Clemson University (7,207 and 12.3%), and College of Charleston (2,549 and 4.35%).

The most popular majors in South Carolina are Liberal Arts & Sciences (5,418 and 9.24%), General Business Administration & Management (3,702 and 6.32%), and Registered Nursing (3,047 and 5.2%).

The median tuition costs in South Carolina are $20,961 for private four year colleges, and $10,954 and $22,050 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
1,545 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
2,395 degree-majorss awarded
General Biological Sciences
1,577 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in South Carolina was Registered Nursing with 1,545 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in South Carolina according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of South Carolina-Columbia
9,815 degrees awarded
Clemson University
7,207 degrees awarded
College of Charleston
2,549 degrees awarded

$10,954

Median In-State Public

$20,961

Median Private

In 2020, the South Carolina institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of South Carolina-Columbia with 9,815 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

23,765

Degrees Awarded to Men

34,848

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 23,765 men were awarded degrees from institutions in South Carolina, which is 0.682 times less than the 34,848 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 institutions in South Carolina by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
39,029 degrees awarded
Black or African American
10,916 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
2,816 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in South Carolina was White students. These 39,029 degrees mean that there were 3.58 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 10,916 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in South Carolina was $170,100 in 2020, which is 0.74 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $162,300 to $170,100, a 4.81% increase. The homeownership rate in South Carolina is 70.1%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in South Carolina have an average commute time of 25.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in South Carolina is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$170,100

2020 Median

± $818

$162,300

2019 Median

± $627

In 2020, the median property value in South Carolina grew to to $170,100 from the previous year's value of $162,300.

The following charts display, first, the property values in South Carolina compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In South Carolina the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$54,864

Median Household Income

± $343

1.96M

Number of Households

± 11,864

In 2020, the median household income of the 1.96M households in South Carolina grew to $54,864 from the previous year's value of $53,199.

The following chart displays the households in South Carolina distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in South Carolina distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In South Carolina the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

70.1%

2020 Homeownership

69.4%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 70.1% of the housing units in South Carolina were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69.4%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in South Carolina compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

25.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in South Carolina have a shorter commute time (25.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2% of the workforce in South Carolina have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in South Carolina compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (81.5%)
Carpooled (8.92%)
Worked At Home (5.64%)

In 2020, 81.5% of workers in South Carolina drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.92%) and those who worked at home (5.64%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in South Carolina distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in South Carolina have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

89.6% of the population of South Carolina has health coverage, with 43.6% on employee plans, 16% on Medicaid, 13% on Medicare, 14.5% on non-group plans, and 2.53% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in South Carolina was $7,311 in 2014. This is a 4.15% increase from the previous year ($7,020).

Primary care physicians in South Carolina see 1494 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.267% decrease from the previous year (1498 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1767 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 546 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Williamsburg County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (23.4%). Additionally, Union County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (46.8%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,494 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in South Carolina

Primary care physicians in South Carolina see an average of 1,494 patients per year. This represents a 0.267% decrease from the previous year (1,498 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in South Carolina in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

$7,311

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in South Carolina

$4,235

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,491

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,298

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in South Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.15%, from $7,020 to $7,311.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

10.4%

Uninsured

43.6%

Employer Coverage

16%

Medicaid

13%

Medicare

14.5%

Non-Group

2.53%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in South Carolina declined by 0.706% from 10.5% to 10.4%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in South Carolina changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.