South Carolina

#23 in USSouth

The Palmetto State Ā· South Carolina (SC) has a population of 5,373,555 people, making it the #23 most populous state in the United States. The capital is Columbia and the largest city is Charleston.

Population

5.4M

#23 of 51

Area

32,020 mi²

82,931 km²

Density

65/km²

168/mi²

Capital

Columbia

Median Income

$68K

Below national avg

Unemployment

4.3%

National avg: 3.9%

Median Age

40.5

US Share

1.60%

of 335M total

Population Growth

2020 Census

5,118,425

2023 Estimate

5,373,555

Change

+255,130 (+5.0%)

Race & Ethnicity

White63.6%
Hispanic/Latino7.4%
Black24.4%
Asian1.8%
Two or More Races7.0%
American Indian/Alaska Native0.4%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander0.1%
Other2.8%

Age Distribution

Under 1821.3%
18 to 6459.4%
65 and over19.3%

Economy & Education

Median Household Income
$67,804
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.9%

Largest Cities in South Carolina

CharlestonColumbiaNorth CharlestonMount PleasantRock Hill

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of South Carolina?

South Carolina has a population of 5,373,555 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. It ranks #23 among all US states by population, representing 1.60% of the total US population.

What is the capital of South Carolina?

The capital of South Carolina is Columbia. The largest cities include Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston.

What is the median household income in South Carolina?

The median household income in South Carolina is $67,804, below the national average of $77,589.

How fast is South Carolina growing?

South Carolina has grown 5.0% since the 2020 Census, from 5,118,425 to 5,373,555.

Other South States