South Carolina: government, population and official figures

South Carolina is a state of the United States, number 23 of 51 by population. South Carolina had an estimated 5,570,274 residents on 1 July 2025, 1.6% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 23rd largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 1.46%, the fastest-growing of 51.

Who runs South Carolina?

The governor is Henry McMaster. Governor's office. Phone: 1-803-734-2100. Address: State House 1100 Gervais St. Columbia , SC 29201.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in South Carolina: The economy of South Carolina (gross domestic product) was worth $378.4 billion in 2025 at current prices, 1.2% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 24th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 6.1% on 2024.
• Health in South Carolina: Life expectancy at birth in South Carolina was 75.1 years in 2022, 10th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in South Carolina: 83.8% of public high school students in South Carolina graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 16th lowest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in South Carolina: The Census Bureau estimates that 13.3% of people in South Carolina lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 708,371 people; joint 13th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in South Carolina: South Carolina's state government took in $47.6 billion in fiscal year 2024, $8,662 per resident, 17th lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in South Carolina

• South Carolina
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Social Services
• Department of Consumer Affairs
• Department of Corrections
• Local governments
• The United States Attorney's Office - District of South Carolina
• Department of Education
• Election Commission
• Emergency Management Division
• Department of Public Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in South Carolina

1. Charleston 159,423 (2025)
2. Columbia 147,035 (2025)
3. North Charleston 129,245 (2025)
4. Mount Pleasant 95,469 (2025)
5. Rock Hill 75,911 (2025)
6. Greenville 75,310 (2025)
7. Summerville 53,177 (2025)
8. Goose Creek 52,010 (2025)
9. Greer 50,007 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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