Health in South Carolina, United States: official figures
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.
How long do men and women live in South Carolina?
Women in South Carolina could expect to live 78.1 years and men 72.2 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 5.9 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyIs life expectancy in South Carolina going up?
Life expectancy in South Carolina was 73.5 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 1.6 years; nationally it rose from 76.4 to 77.5 years.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow long do people live after 65 in South Carolina?
A 65-year-old in South Carolina could expect to live another 18.0 years in 2022 (19.3 for women, 16.6 for men); 14th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 18.9).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in South Carolina?
440 babies died before their first birthday in South Carolina in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 7.49 per 1,000 live births; 5th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 6.89 (393 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in South Carolina?
1,467 people died of drug overdoses in South Carolina in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 27.5 per 100,000 people; 16th highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 41.3 in 2023 (2,177 deaths) and 22.7 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in South Carolina?
CDC provisional data count about 1,198 drug overdose deaths in South Carolina in the 12 months to May 2026, down 14.6% on the 12 months to May 2025 (1,402); nationally the count went from 75,094 to 66,478. These counts are predicted values that allow for deaths still being investigated.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many overdose deaths in South Carolina involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 575 of the 1,192 reported overdose deaths in South Carolina in the 12 months to May 2026 (48%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 461 (39%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in South Carolina?
Heart disease killed 12,494 people in South Carolina in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 175.0 per 100,000; 15th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 164.0).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in South Carolina?
Cancer caused 11,452 deaths in South Carolina in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 151.9 per 100,000; 12th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 154.0).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in South Carolina?
904 people in South Carolina died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 16.0 per 100,000; 24th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 16.2 (852 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in South Carolina?
Firearms were involved in 1,064 deaths in South Carolina in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 19.5 per 100,000, 12th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 19.9).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in South Carolina have no health insurance?
9.0% of people in South Carolina, about 482,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 14th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is down 0.1 percentage points on 2023 (9.1%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in South Carolina are uninsured?
5.9% of children under 19 in South Carolina were uninsured in 2024, against 13.1% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in South Carolina are on Medicaid?
13.1% of residents of South Carolina were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 41.1% only by employer-based insurance (U.S.: 14.5% and 45.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people are on Medicaid in South Carolina?
958,052 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in South Carolina in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 7.6% on June 2025 (1,037,384); across the 50 states and DC the total was 73.17 million.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow much has Medicaid enrollment in South Carolina changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, South Carolina had 1,323,486 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 27.6% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in South Carolina?
Children made up 595,648 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in South Carolina in June 2026 (62%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 362,404. South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyWhat is the obesity rate in South Carolina?
34.6% of adults in South Carolina had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 21st highest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 31.7%; the median across the states and DC was 34.2% in 2024.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people smoke in South Carolina?
12.6% of adults in South Carolina smoked cigarettes in 2024 (18th highest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 19.7% in 2015. 8.5% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in South Carolina?
13.9% of adults in South Carolina had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 19.7% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 8th highest among the 49 states and DC with data (state medians: 12.0% and 18.6%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people in South Carolina cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 21.8% of adults in South Carolina said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 13.8% said that in the past year they had needed to see a doctor but could not because of the cost (state medians: 21.8% and 11.5%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow common is depression in South Carolina?
15.6% of adults in South Carolina reported binge drinking in 2024, and 20.7% had ever been told they have a depressive disorder (state medians: 15.5% and 22.0%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow South Carolina compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
South Carolina ranks 42 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Ohio | 75.6 years |
| 40 | Indiana | 75.4 years |
| 41 | Missouri | 75.2 years |
| 42 | South Carolina | 75.1 years |
| 43 | New Mexico | 74.5 years |
| 44 | Arkansas | 73.9 years |
| 45 | Tennessee | 73.8 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
South Carolina ranks 38 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Texas | 18.3 years |
| 36 | North Carolina | 18.1 years |
| 37 | Kansas | 18.1 years |
| 38 | South Carolina | 18.0 years |
| 39 | Georgia | 17.9 years |
| 40 | Nevada | 17.9 years |
| 41 | Ohio | 17.8 years |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
South Carolina ranks 5 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Arkansas | 8.28 |
| 3 | Delaware | 7.77 |
| 4 | Louisiana | 7.58 |
| 5 | South Carolina | 7.49 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 7.42 |
| 7 | South Dakota | 7.34 |
| 8 | Alabama | 7.06 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
South Carolina ranks 16 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Delaware | 33.4 |
| 14 | Arizona | 32.6 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 28.0 |
| 16 | South Carolina | 27.5 |
| 17 | Ohio | 27.2 |
| 18 | Maryland | 26.9 |
| 19 | Connecticut | 26.2 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
South Carolina ranks 22 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Indiana | 1,226 |
| 20 | Virginia | 1,212 |
| 21 | Missouri | 1,205 |
| 22 | South Carolina | 1,198 |
| 23 | Louisiana | 1,160 |
| 24 | New Mexico | 1,128 |
| 25 | Kentucky | 1,034 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
South Carolina ranks 15 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Nevada | 179.8 |
| 13 | Indiana | 179.6 |
| 14 | Georgia | 175.2 |
| 15 | South Carolina | 175.0 |
| 16 | Iowa | 169.9 |
| 17 | Montana | 164.8 |
| 18 | Texas | 163.1 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
South Carolina ranks 12 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Indiana | 156.4 |
| 10 | Ohio | 154.9 |
| 11 | Alabama | 154.0 |
| 12 | South Carolina | 151.9 |
| 13 | Kansas | 151.4 |
| 14 | Michigan | 151.1 |
| 15 | Delaware | 150.6 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
South Carolina ranks 24 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Tennessee | 16.4 |
| 22 | West Virginia | 16.4 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | 16.4 |
| 24 | South Carolina | 16.0 |
| 25 | Alabama | 15.9 |
| 26 | Ohio | 15.2 |
| 27 | Mississippi | 15.1 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
South Carolina ranks 12 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Tennessee | 19.8 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | 19.7 |
| 11 | Missouri | 19.6 |
| 12 | South Carolina | 19.5 |
| 13 | Oklahoma | 19.1 |
| 14 | Kentucky | 18.5 |
| 15 | Georgia | 17.6 |
People without health insurance (2024)
South Carolina ranks 14 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Mississippi | 9.7% |
| 12 | Arkansas | 9.4% |
| 13 | Idaho | 9.2% |
| 14 | South Carolina | 9.0% |
| 15 | Montana | 8.8% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 8.6% |
| 17 | Kansas | 8.5% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
South Carolina ranks 21 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Indiana | 6.1% |
| 19 | New Mexico | 6.1% |
| 20 | Colorado | 6.0% |
| 21 | South Carolina | 5.9% |
| 22 | Mississippi | 5.8% |
| 23 | Delaware | 5.8% |
| 24 | Ohio | 5.6% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
South Carolina ranks 27 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Minnesota | 1,128,624 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | 1,107,383 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | 992,735 |
| 27 | South Carolina | 958,052 |
| 28 | Alabama | 930,919 |
| 29 | Connecticut | 895,290 |
| 30 | Arkansas | 773,838 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
South Carolina ranks 38 of 51, highest first. March 2023 was the last month of pandemic continuous enrollment
| Rank | Region | Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Mississippi | -25.8% |
| 36 | West Virginia | -26.6% |
| 37 | Georgia | -27.6% |
| 38 | South Carolina | -27.6% |
| 39 | Arkansas | -28.9% |
| 40 | Florida | -29.9% |
| 41 | Wyoming | -30.2% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
South Carolina ranks 21 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Texas | 35.6% |
| 19 | Georgia | 35.4% |
| 20 | Missouri | 34.6% |
| 21 | South Carolina | 34.6% |
| 22 | New Mexico | 34.5% |
| 23 | North Carolina | 34.5% |
| 24 | Nevada | 34.2% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
South Carolina ranks 18 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Michigan | 13.4% |
| 16 | Iowa | 12.9% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 12.7% |
| 18 | South Carolina | 12.6% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 12.3% |
| 20 | Montana | 12.2% |
| 21 | Nebraska | 12.2% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
South Carolina ranks 8 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Mississippi | 15.2% |
| 6 | Alabama | 15.1% |
| 7 | Indiana | 14.2% |
| 8 | South Carolina | 13.9% |
| 9 | Michigan | 13.6% |
| 10 | Nevada | 13.6% |
| 11 | Texas | 13.5% |
More on South Carolina: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Types of health insurance coverage by age (B27010), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 737090000f71…)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Prevalence Data, 2011 to present: selected questions, 2015 and 2023-2025, all adults, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7ab093888a27…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Cancer mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 16647d000278…)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: State Medicaid and CHIP Applications, Eligibility Determinations, and Enrollment Data (Performance Indicator data, September 2026 release), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6fc730af4f67…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Firearm mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 93f4daddcb09…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Heart disease mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 53ffcd80b442…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Infant mortality rates by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8e6ba1c198b…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): U.S. State Life Tables, 2022 (National Vital Statistics Reports Vol. 74, No. 12), Tables A, B and C, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c1373546ce89…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Drug overdose mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1990aeae39f4…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Suicide mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5df6571a02ff…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): VSRR Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts (12-month ending periods, May and December 2019-2026, selected indicators), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 68a227998fc5…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.