SOUTH CAROLINA

POPULATION DENSITY

People per square mile, 2010:   153.9

People per square mile, 2020:   170.2


HISTORIC & PROJECTED GROWTH 1790 TO 2040

Year
Population
1790
249,073
1800
345,591
1810
415,115
1820
502,741
1830
581,185
1840
594,398
1850
668,507
1860
703,708
1870
705,606
1880
995,577
1890
1,151,149
1900
1,340,316
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
2,590,713
1980
3,120,729
1990
3,486,703
2000
4,012,012
2010
4,625,364
2020
5,118,425
2030
5,792,247
2040
6,352,502

Sources: Census figures from U.S. Bureau of the Census & *Estimates from Weldon Cooper Center, Demographics Research Group
(The Census Bureau and Weldon Cooper Center have not yet provided updated State projections to reflect 2020 census numbers.)


Population by County

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census


South Carolina Population News Articles

South Carolina Takes a Proactive Approach to Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation – Feb 24, 2026

Building toward disaster: Growth collides with rising seas in Charleston, SC – Feb 18, 2026

Sierra Club appeals federal approval of South Carolina air pollution plan – Feb 16, 2026

Which South Carolina law enforcement agencies partner with ICE? – Jan 29, 2026

Census Bureau: South Carolina recorded the nation’s most rapid population gains. Again. – Jan 27, 2026

Rock Hill region helps boost SC to become the nation’s fastest-growing state – Jan 27, 2026

As more SC farms give way to suburban sprawl, a land preservation program is on the rise – Oct 9, 2025

South Carolina's roads: Spending, quality, and safety in question – Oct 3, 2025

Building toward disaster: Growth collides with rising seas in Charleston – Sep 29, 2025

Planned Spartanburg data center will see more emissions testing requirements over pollution concerns – Sep 24, 2025

Charleston County considers plastic bag ordinance amendment – Sep 24, 2025

SC law enforcement increases ICE partnerships since President Trump’s reelection – June 11, 2025

SC has fastest growing county in the US, Census says. Here’s why it’s doing so well -  June 4, 2025

Google signs water sustainability agreement with Arable in North and South Carolina – May 31, 2025

SC paper mill with stinking past also had toxic mercury discharges – May 30, 2025

Cooling costs could hit record highs this summer in S.C. – May 20, 2025

More SC cities using impact fees to fund services for newcomers, adding cost to home construction – May 18, 2025

Walhalla, South Carolina, looking to create long-term plan to improve water infrastructure – Sept 5, 2024

Drought intensifies for some Upstate counties – Sept 4, 2024

South Carolina Is Considered a Model for ‘Managed Retreat’ From Coastal Areas Threatened by Climate Change – Sept 3, 2024

Hundreds of dead chickens found floating in SC river. Stench noticeable, riverkeeper says – Aug 22, 2024

In South Carolina, Black voters are split on immigration – June 20, 2024

Summer 2024 Climate Outlook for northeastern SC and southeastern NC – June 5, 2024

South Carolina acts to reduce farmland loss – June 3, 2024

South Carolina Map Shows How State Could Be Underwater From Sea Level Rise – June 2, 2024

21 species declared newly extinct, including one bird last seen in Carolinas 65 years ago – October 20, 2023

Power grid at ‘crisis point’ as SC population booms, House speaker warns – October 19, 2023

SC Ports leader credits deepened harbor, increased cargo capacity for growth – October 16, 2023

Dangerous chemicals found in South Carolina's fish, crabs and oysters. Here's what we know – September 29, 2023

Rising sea levels putting coastal communities at risk – September 28, 2023

‘No time to lose’: SC adopts first resilience plan to cope with stronger storms – July 6, 2023

The Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded in South Carolina Was a Sizzling Nightmare – June 24, 2023

Americans Are Flocking to These 8 Fastest-Growing Counties in South Carolina – June 13, 2023

$1.2 million ‘living shoreline’ project designed to help protect Parris Island from erosion – December 10, 2022

South Carolina ranks No. 3 among deadliest states for cyclists, pedestrians. But help is on the way – December 9, 2022

Toxic chemicals found in virtually every South Carolina river tested. Action needed, critics say – December 8, 2022

10 Largest Cities In South Carolina By Population – December 7, 2022

SC power plant under more federal scrutiny after backup generator failure in January – November 30, 2022

South Carolina Governor Seeks to Protect Port from USS Yorktown Pollution – July 11, 2022

Crabtree Canal in Horry County among 25 waterways to get litter-control device funded by Palmetto Pride – July 3, 2022

Out-of-staters flock to Greenville amid nationwide population shift – June 21, 2022

Climate Change adds to extreme heat in the South – June 20, 2022

South Carolina passes overhaul of e-scrap recycling – June 16, 2022

Stinking SC paper mill with tainted waste pits the focus of state pollution probe – March 12, 2022

UN report underlines a climate change reality: SC has ‘a lot to do’ to adapt – March 5, 2022

South Carolina is the #8 state with the most people living near toxic release facilities – February 28, 2022

Housing can’t keep pace with explosive population growth in this South Carolina town – February 22, 2022

Brennan Acquires 79 Acres in Spartanburg, South Carolina – February 17, 2022