South Carolina Demographics

A map of South Carolina's Population by Race

South Carolina had a population of 5,118,425 in 2020. It was 62.1% White, 24.8% Black, 1.7% Asian, 6.9% Hispanic, 0.8% Native American/Other, and 3.7% Multiracial. This map presents the population of South Carolina, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

South Carolina is the 23rd most populous state in the United States.

South Carolina's White Population

3,178,552 residents of South Carolina identify as White, or 62.1%. Ranked amongst the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, South Carolina is #31 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

South Carolina is more White than neighboring North Carolina (60.5% White), Georgia (50.1% White), Virginia (58.6% White), and Florida (51.5% White). South Carolina is less White than neighboring West Virginia (89.1% White).

South Carolina's Black Population

1,269,031 residents of South Carolina identify as Black, or 24.8%. Ranked amongst the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, South Carolina is #7 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

South Carolina is more Black than neighboring North Carolina (20.2% Black), Virginia (18.3% Black), West Virginia (3.6% Black), and Florida (14.5% Black). South Carolina is less Black than neighboring Georgia (30.6% Black).

South Carolina's Asian Population

89,394 residents of South Carolina identify as Asian, or 1.7%. Ranked amongst the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, South Carolina is #39 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

South Carolina is more Asian than neighboring West Virginia (0.8% Asian). South Carolina is less Asian than neighboring North Carolina (3.3% Asian), Georgia (4.4% Asian), Virginia (7.1% Asian), and Florida (2.9% Asian).

South Carolina's Hispanic Population

352,838 residents of South Carolina identify as Hispanic, or 6.9%. Ranked amongst the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, South Carolina is #35 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

South Carolina is more Hispanic than neighboring West Virginia (1.9% Hispanic). South Carolina is less Hispanic than neighboring North Carolina (10.7% Hispanic), Georgia (10.5% Hispanic), Virginia (10.5% Hispanic), and Florida (26.5% Hispanic).

South Carolina's Native American/Other Population

39,030 residents of South Carolina identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.8%. Ranked amongst the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, South Carolina is #39 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

South Carolina is more Native American/Other than neighboring West Virginia (0.5% Native American/Other). South Carolina is less Native American/Other than neighboring North Carolina (1.5% Native American/Other), and Florida (0.9% Native American/Other).

South Carolina's Multiracial Population

189,580 residents of South Carolina identify as Multiracial, or 3.7%. Ranked amongst the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, South Carolina is #36 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

South Carolina is more Multiracial than neighboring Georgia (3.6% Multiracial). South Carolina is less Multiracial than neighboring North Carolina (3.9% Multiracial), Virginia (4.7% Multiracial), and West Virginia (4% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.