South Carolina at a glance
South Carolina had an estimated 5,570,274 residents on July 1, 2025, the 23rd largest population among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
That is up 8.8% from 5,118,250 in April 2020.
In the year to July 1, 2025, South Carolina gained 66,622 residents from other states through migration and gained 12,930 through international migration.
The same year saw 59,681 births and 59,117 deaths, a natural increase of 564.
The capital of South Carolina is Columbia.
South Carolina covers 30,064 square miles of land in 46 counties, about 185 people per square mile.
| Capital | Columbia |
|---|---|
| Population (2025) | 5,570,274 |
| Change since April 2020 | +452,024 |
| Land area | 30,064 sq mi |
| Counties | 46 |
The July 1 estimate rose from 5,131,992 in 2020 to 5,570,274 in 2025. The largest one-year gain was 101,841 people, in the year to July 1, 2023. On average it changed by +87,656 people a year.
Show the numbers
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5,570,274 | +79,958 |
| 2024 | 5,490,316 | +99,518 |
| 2023 | 5,390,798 | +101,841 |
| 2022 | 5,288,957 | +94,611 |
| 2021 | 5,194,346 | +62,354 |
| 2020 | 5,131,992 | n/a |