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Writer's pictureAslam Abdullah

South Carolina: A Demographic and Electoral Profile

Updated: Sep 18



South Carolina, located on the southeastern tip of the United States, is the 11th-smallest state, with a total area of 32,020 square miles (mi²). However, like many states on the East Coast, the "Palmetto State" is densely populated about its size.

South Carolina's population is estimated to be 5,266,343 as of 2023, which is equal to 1.56% of the US total and the 23rd-highest out of the 50 states.

South Carolina, one of the original 13 colonies, attained statehood in May 1788 and participated in every presidential election except 1864, when it had seceded from the Union. Like many other southern states, South Carolina voted almost exclusively Democratic from Reconstruction through the early 1960s before turning Republican, mainly in response to civil rights legislation. South Carolina was one of only six states to vote for Barry Goldwater in 1964 and has voted Republican since, except in 1976 when it voted for fellow southerner Jimmy Carter. In 2020, Donald Trump defeated Joe Biden by 55% to 43%.

The two largest cities in South Carolina are Columbia (pop 133,803) and Charleston (pop 132,609), followed by North Charleston (pop 108,304). These are the only cities in the state with a population over 100,000.

The leading counties in terms of most populated are Greenville and Richland, with respective populations of 506,837 and 411,592. Both counties are also enjoying steady growth rates.

The median age across the South Carolina population is approximately 38.8. When we look at the population's ratio of males to females, we see that 51.5% are female, and 48.5% are male.

In terms of preferred religions among the state's population, South Carolina currently has 78% Christian-based faith affiliations, 3% non-Christian-based faith affiliations, and 19% without any affiliation to any religion.

According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of South Carolina was:

  • White: 65.66%

  • Black or African American: 26.16%

  • Two or more races: 3.97%

  • Other race: 2.16%

  • Asian: 1.64%

  • Native American: 0.31%

  • Native Hawaiian or

  •  Pacific Islander: 0.09%

  • Muslims are under 20,000.

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