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South Carolina population by year, 1990 to 2025

South Carolina grew 59 percent from 3.50 million in 1990 to 5.57 million in 2025, adding 438,000 people in just the last five years.

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What the data shows

  • South Carolina: 3.50M in 1990, 5.57M in 2025 (1.6× higher).

About this chart

South Carolina has been one of the faster-growing states of the 2020s. After a dip in the 2020 estimate (5.13 million, down from 5.16 million), it added about 438,000 residents by 2025, an 8.5 percent jump in five years, to reach 5,570,274. The gain since 1990 is about 2.07 million people, or 59 percent, from 3,499,064.

Its ranking has crept up from 25th among the 50 states in 1990 to 26th in 2000, 24th in 2010 and 23rd in 2025. South Carolina passed 5 million in 2017. It is up 38.4 percent since 2000 and 20.2 percent since 2010. Figures are Census Bureau resident estimates for July 1 of each year.

The data

Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), resident population of South Carolina, millions. Retrieved November 4, 2026.

Population of South Carolina, Residents, 1990 to 2025, 1990–2025
DateSouth Carolina
19903.50M
19913.56M
19923.60M
19933.64M
19943.67M
19953.70M
19963.74M
19973.79M
19983.84M
19993.89M
20004.02M
20014.07M
20024.11M
20034.15M
20044.21M
20054.27M
20064.36M
20074.44M
20084.53M
20094.59M
20104.64M
20114.67M
20124.72M
20134.77M
20144.83M
20154.90M
20164.96M
20175.03M
20185.09M
20195.16M
20205.13M
20215.19M
20225.29M
20235.39M
20245.49M
20255.57M

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Frequently asked questions

What is the population of South Carolina?

South Carolina had about 5.57 million residents (5,570,274) in July 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates. That ranks 23rd among the 50 states.

How fast is South Carolina growing?

South Carolina is up 20.2 percent since 2010 and 8.5 percent since 2020. It added about 438,000 people between 2020 and 2025, one of the largest percentage gains of any state.

When did South Carolina pass 5 million people?

South Carolina's estimate was 4.96 million in 2016 and 5.03 million in 2017, so it passed 5 million in 2017. By 2025 it was 5.57 million.

Where does this data come from?

U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), resident population of South Carolina, millions. Retrieved November 4, 2026. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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