state record · population
Population of South Carolina
South Carolina had an estimated population of 5,478,831 on July 1, 2024, according to the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
What stands out
South Carolina had an estimated population of 5,478,831 on July 1, 2024, according to the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. Since July 2020 that is +6.8 % (346,582 people); since 2010 it is +18.2 %. Migration is the larger driver since 2020: net migration +360,313 against a natural change (births minus deaths) of -17,465. Among the 51 states in the United States, it ranks 23 by population. Values for 2010–2019 and 2020–2024 come from two estimate vintages benchmarked to different censuses; the 2019→2020 step is partly a rebasing.
Population and components of change
July 1 estimates; components per estimate year (July–June).
Largest counties in South Carolina
By latest estimate, with change since July 2020. Each links to the county's own population record.
| County | Population | Since 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville County | 570,745 | +8.2 % |
| Charleston County | 431,001 | +5.1 % |
| Richland County | 430,651 | +3.6 % |
| Horry County | 413,391 | +16.8 % |
| Spartanburg County | 369,256 | +12.1 % |
| Lexington County | 313,774 | +6.4 % |
| York County | 303,001 | +6.7 % |
| Berkeley County | 264,276 | +14.2 % |
| Anderson County | 217,183 | +6.4 % |
| Beaufort County | 201,775 | +7.4 % |
| Aiken County | 179,245 | +6.0 % |
| Dorchester County | 174,663 | +7.8 % |
| Pickens County | 138,207 | +5.0 % |
| Florence County | 138,049 | +0.9 % |
| Lancaster County | 111,652 | +15.6 % |
| Sumter County | 104,776 | -0.7 % |
| Orangeburg County | 83,129 | -1.0 % |
| Oconee County | 82,475 | +4.7 % |
| Kershaw County | 71,698 | +9.3 % |
| Laurens County | 70,545 | +4.3 % |
| Greenwood County | 70,041 | +0.9 % |
| Georgetown County | 66,035 | +4.0 % |
| Darlington County | 62,425 | -0.7 % |
| Cherokee County | 57,770 | +2.8 % |
| Chesterfield County | 44,488 | +2.8 % |
Largest cities and towns in South Carolina
Incorporated places, latest estimate. The Census Bureau publishes totals only for places, no components.
| Place | Population | Since 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston city | 157,665 | +4.4 % |
| Columbia city | 144,788 | +6.3 % |
| North Charleston city | 126,005 | +9.0 % |
| Mount Pleasant town | 95,604 | +4.8 % |
| Rock Hill city | 75,798 | +1.5 % |
| Greenville city | 74,371 | +4.1 % |
| Summerville town | 52,625 | +3.3 % |
| Goose Creek city | 50,352 | +8.8 % |
| Greer city | 46,316 | +29.3 % |
| Sumter city | 42,958 | -1.1 % |
| Florence city | 40,923 | +2.1 % |
| Myrtle Beach city | 40,535 | +12.7 % |
| Spartanburg city | 39,606 | +2.6 % |
| Hilton Head Island town | 38,158 | +1.5 % |
| Fort Mill town | 36,244 | +43.8 % |
| Bluffton town | 36,146 | +27.6 % |
| Aiken city | 32,694 | +1.7 % |
| Anderson city | 30,937 | +5.0 % |
| Mauldin city | 29,746 | +20.0 % |
| Conway city | 29,656 | +17.8 % |
| Simpsonville city | 28,078 | +19.0 % |
| Easley city | 27,001 | +17.2 % |
| North Augusta city | 26,395 | +7.8 % |
| Lexington town | 25,354 | +7.2 % |
| Greenwood city | 22,667 | +0.5 % |
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