South Carolina

State

Add Comparison

Population

5.08M

1.19% 1-year growth

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

Median Age

39.7

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Household Income

$52,306

3.43% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$170,800

5.56% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

2.24M

2.21% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, South Carolina had a population of 5.08M people with a median age of 39.7 and a median household income of $52,306. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of South Carolina grew from 5.02M to 5.08M, a 1.19% increase and its median household income grew from $50,570 to $52,306, a 3.43% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in South Carolina are White (Non-Hispanic) (63.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (26.5%), White (Hispanic) (3.5%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.01%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.6%). 7.37% of the people in South Carolina speak a non-English language, and 97.1% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in South Carolina are University of South Carolina-Columbia (9,467 degrees awarded in 2017), Clemson University (6,082 degrees), and Trident Technical College (2,892 degrees).

The median property value in South Carolina is $170,800, and the homeownership rate is 69.3%. Most people in South Carolina commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 23.9 minutes. The average car ownership in South Carolina is 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

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

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

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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Impact on Employment

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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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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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 54.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (40.7%), followed by Gary Johnson (2.34%). The most partisan county was Allendale County, SC with 76.1% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton 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

Voting results not available for South Carolina. Showing the available data for South Carolina.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (54.9%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (40.7%)
Democratic Party
Gary Johnson (2.34%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for South Carolina

54.9% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in South Carolina

Allendale County, SC
76.1% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Pickens County, SC
73.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Oconee County, SC
71.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in South Carolina was Allendale County, SC with 76.1% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton 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 2, 2013

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, 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.

Diversity

South Carolina is home to a population of 5.08M people, from which 97.1% are citizens. As of 2018, 4.73% of South Carolina residents were born outside of the country (240k people).

In 2018, there were 2.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (3.23M people) in South Carolina than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.35M Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 178k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common foreign languages spoken in South Carolina are Spanish (222,917 speakers), German (17,620 speakers), and Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) (13,110 speakers).

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in South Carolina

White (Non-Hispanic)
3.23M ± 2.2k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
1.35M ± 8.96k
White (Hispanic)
178k ± 8.21k

5.79%

Hispanic Population

295k people

5.79% of the people in South Carolina are hispanic (295k people).

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

Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

Spanish
222,917 speakers (4.65%)
German
17,620 speakers (0.367%)
Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)
13,110 speakers (0.273%)

7.37% of South Carolina citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is lower than the national average of 21.9%. In 2018, the most common non-English language spoken in South Carolina was Spanish. 4.65% of the overall population of South Carolina are native Spanish speakers. 0.367% speak German and 0.273% speak Spanish, the next two most common languages.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.73%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

240k people

4.73%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

238k people

As of 2018, 4.73% of South Carolina residents (240k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in South Carolina was 4.73%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

± 0.1

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1

In 2018, 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 than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in South Carolina are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all South Carolina residents was 39.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Mexico
62,118 ± 6,082 people
India
17,415 ± 3,234 people
Germany
13,326 ± 2,830 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 62,118 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 17,415 and Germany with 13,326.

Citizenship

97.1%

2018 Citizenship

97.3%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 97.1% of South Carolina residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in South Carolina was 97.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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
125,597 ± 4,630
Gulf War (2001-)
77,043 ± 5,862
Gulf War (1990s)
58,224 ± 4,749

South Carolina has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.63 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in South Carolina is $52,306. In 2018, the county with the highest Median Household Income in South Carolina was Dorchester County, SC with a value of $66,438, followed by Beaufort County, SC and York County, SC, with respective values of $65,607 and $64,319.

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,129. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.464, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of South Carolina employs 2.24M people. The largest industries in South Carolina are Restaurants & Food Services (160,857 people), Elementary & secondary schools (140,919 people), and Construction (135,469 people), and the highest paying industries are Water transportation ($119,826), Scientific research & development services ($107,314), and Offices of other health practitioners ($107,247).

Wages

Median Household Income

$52,306

2018 value

± $631

3.43%

1 Year Growth

± 1.55%

Households in South Carolina have a median annual income of $52,306, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $50,570 in 2017, which represents a 3.43% 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 Gender in Common Jobs

$59,728

Average Male Salary in South Carolina

± $1,565

$44,129

Average Female Salary in South Carolina

± $1,115

In 2018, full-time male employees in South Carolina made 1.35 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-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
$58,374 ± $10,504
White
$51,299 ± $1,155
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$40,072 ± $12,512

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of South Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.14 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

0.464

2018 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.466

2017 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2018, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.464 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.279% decline from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2018, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in South Carolina was Dorchester County, SC with a value of $66,438, followed by Beaufort County, SC and York County, SC, with respective values of $65,607 and $64,319.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

16% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in South Carolina (771k out of 4.81M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

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
372,896 ± 4,690
Black
331,866 ± 4,353
Hispanic
74,200 ± 2,120

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

2.24M

2018 Value

2.21%

1 Year growth

± 2.21%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in South Carolina grew at a rate of 2.21%, from 2.19M employees to 2.24M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in South Carolina, are Elementary & middle school teachers (61,576 people), Cashiers (58,565 people), and Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (56,909 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 (61,576 people), Cashiers (58,565 people), and Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (56,909 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other states, South Carolina has an unusually high number of residents working as Textile machine setters, operators, and tenders (8.12 times higher than expected), Tire builders (7.17 times), and Military enlisted tactical operations & air/weapons specialists & crew members (3.98 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of South Carolina, by average salary, are Surgeons ($295,249), Physicians ($231,996), and Legal support workers, all other ($191,272).

Industries

Employment by Industries

2.24M

2018 Value

2.21%

1 Year growth

± 2.21%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in South Carolina grew at a rate of 2.21%, from 2.19M employees to 2.24M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in South Carolina, are Restaurants & Food Services (160,857 people), Elementary & secondary schools (140,919 people), and Construction (135,469 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 (160,857 people), Elementary & secondary schools (140,919 people), and Construction (135,469 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other states, South Carolina has an unusually high number of Textile & fabric finishing & coating mills (14.4 times higher than expected), Tire manufacturing (12.4 times), and Fabric mills, except knitting mills (8.89 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in South Carolina, by average salary, are Water transportation ($119,826), Scientific research & development services ($107,314), and Offices of other health practitioners ($107,247).

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 2015, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Plastics/rubber with $15.9B, followed by Machinery ($15.2B) and Mixed freight ($11.7B).

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.

$163B

2015 Value in South Carolina

$244B

Projected 2045 Value in South Carolina

49.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound South Carolina trade was $163B. This is expected to increase 49.4% to $244B by 2045.

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
$22.2B
Georgia
$13.4B
Tennessee
$5.71B

In 2015, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $22.2B, followed by Georgia with $13.4B and Tennessee and $5.71B.

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

Education

In 2017, universities in South Carolina awarded 58,347 degrees. The student population of South Carolina is skewed towards women, with 101,601 male students and 147,966 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in South Carolina are White (38,443 and 67.5%), followed by Black or African American (12,425 and 21.8%), Hispanic or Latino (2,082 and 3.65%), and Unknown (1,410 and 2.47%).

The largest universities in South Carolina by number of degrees awarded are University of South Carolina-Columbia (9,467 and 16.2%), Clemson University (6,082 and 10.4%), and Trident Technical College (2,892 and 4.96%).

The most popular majors in South Carolina are Liberal Arts & Sciences (4,855 and 8.32%), General Business Administration & Management (3,996 and 6.85%), and Registered Nursing (2,844 and 4.87%).

The median tuition costs in South Carolina are $21,720 for private four year colleges, and $10,700 and $20,862 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Biological Sciences
1,542 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
1,498 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
2,662 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in South Carolina was General Biological Sciences with 1,542 degree-majorss 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
9,467 degrees awarded
Clemson University
6,082 degrees awarded
Trident Technical College
2,892 degrees awarded

$10,700

Median In-State Public

$21,720

Median Private

In 2017, the South Carolina institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of South Carolina-Columbia with 9,467 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

23,616

Degrees Awarded to Men

34,731

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 23,616 men were awarded degrees from institutions in South Carolina, which is 0.68 times less than the 34,731 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
38,443 degrees awarded
Black or African American
12,425 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
2,082 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in South Carolina were to White students. These 38,443 degrees mean that there were 3.09 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 12,425 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in South Carolina was $170,800 in 2018, which is 0.744 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $161,800 to $170,800, a 5.56% increase. The homeownership rate in South Carolina is 69.3%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in South Carolina have an average commute time of 23.9 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in South Carolina is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$170,800

2018 Median

± $1,570

$161,800

2017 Median

± $1,398

In 2018, the median property value in South Carolina grew to to $170,800 from the previous year's value of $161,800.

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.

$52,306

Median Household Income

± $631

1.93M

Number of Households

± 22,961

In 2018, the median household income of the 1.93M households in South Carolina grew to $52,306 from the previous year's value of $50,570.

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

69.3%

2018 Homeownership

68.7%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 69.3% of the housing units in South Carolina were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 68.7%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in South Carolina compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

23.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in South Carolina have a shorter commute time (23.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 2.01% 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 Method of Travel

Drove Alone
81.4%
Carpooled
9.44%
Worked At Home
4.99%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in South Carolina was Drove Alone (81.4%), followed by those who Carpooled (9.44%) and those who Worked At Home (4.99%).

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 3 cars.

Health

89% of the population of South Carolina has health coverage, with 43.4% on employee plans, 16.4% on Medicaid, 12.8% on Medicare, 13.8% on non-group plans, and 2.66% 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 1483 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.336% decrease from the previous year (1488 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1891 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 639 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Dillon County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (20.1%). Additionally, Lee County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (42.8%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,483 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in South Carolina

Primary care physicians in South Carolina see an average of 1,483 patients per year. This represents a 0.336% decrease from the previous year (1,488 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

11%

Uninsured

43.4%

Employer Coverage

16.4%

Medicaid

12.8%

Medicare

13.8%

Non-Group

2.66%

Military or VA

Between N/A and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in South Carolina N/A by N/A from N/A% to 11%.

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.