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North Carolina vs South Carolina population, 1990 to 2025

North Carolina leads South Carolina in 2025 population: 11,197,968 vs 5,570,274. Compare annual state data from 1990.

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What the data shows

  • North Carolina: 6.7M in 1990, 11.2M in 2025 (1.7× higher).
  • South Carolina: 3.5M in 1990, 5.6M in 2025 (1.6× higher).

About this chart

North Carolina had the larger population in 2025: 11,197,968 versus 5,570,274 for South Carolina, a gap of 5,627,694. Over the full period from 1990, North Carolina grew by 68.2%, while South Carolina grew by 59.2%. North Carolina was ahead in 1990 and remained ahead at every annual observation in the displayed series. The comparison uses the same reference year for both states.

The Census series compares July 1 resident populations for North Carolina and South Carolina. In 1990, their counts were 6,656,987 and 3,499,064, respectively. Estimates from different Census vintages are joined across decades, and revisions can affect the measured trend. These state totals include residents throughout each state rather than only its cities. They describe the scale and direction of population change but do not, on their own, separate births, deaths and migration.

The data

Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. July 1 resident population estimates. Different Census vintages are joined across decades; revisions can affect comparisons.

North Carolina vs South Carolina population, Resident population, 1990 to 2025, 1990–2025
DateNorth CarolinaSouth Carolina
19906.7M3.5M
19916.7M3.6M
19926.8M3.6M
19936.9M3.6M
19947.1M3.7M
19957.2M3.7M
19967.3M3.7M
19977.4M3.8M
19987.5M3.8M
19997.7M3.9M
20008.1M4M
20018.2M4.1M
20028.3M4.1M
20038.4M4.2M
20048.6M4.2M
20058.7M4.3M
20068.9M4.4M
20079.1M4.4M
20089.3M4.5M
20099.4M4.6M
20109.6M4.6M
20119.7M4.7M
20129.8M4.7M
20139.8M4.8M
20149.9M4.8M
201510M4.9M
201610.2M5M
201710.3M5M
201810.4M5.1M
201910.5M5.2M
202010.5M5.1M
202110.6M5.2M
202210.7M5.3M
202310.9M5.4M
202411.1M5.5M
202511.2M5.6M

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Frequently asked questions

Which has a larger population, North Carolina or South Carolina?

North Carolina had the larger population in 2025, at 11,197,968 compared with 5,570,274 for South Carolina. The gap was 5,627,694 residents.

How have North Carolina and South Carolina changed since 1990?

North Carolina moved from 6,656,987 to 11,197,968, a 68.2% increase. South Carolina moved from 3,499,064 to 5,570,274, a 59.2% increase.

What exactly is being compared?

Census July 1 resident population estimates for the two whole states. The series combines Census vintages and does not isolate the causes of population change.

Where does this data come from?

U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. July 1 resident population estimates. Different Census vintages are joined across decades; revisions can affect comparisons. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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