South Carolina Demographics

A map of South Carolina's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	3,277,983	3,178,552	61.9%	62.1%
Black	1,302,215	1,269,031	24.6%	24.8%
Hispanic	390,376	352,838	7.4%	6.9%
Multiracial	195,664	189,580	3.7%	3.7%
Asian	92,552	89,394	1.7%	1.7%
Native American/Other	37,435	39,030	0.7%	0.8%

South Carolina has an estimated population of 5,296,225, an increase from the 5,118,425 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 61.9% White, 24.6% Black, 7.4% Hispanic, 3.7% Multiracial, 1.7% Asian, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of South Carolina, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

South Carolina is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In South Carolina, that probability was 54.6% in 2020 and 54.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

South Carolina is ranked the 23rd most populous state in the United States, out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. South Carolina was ranked the 23rd most populous state in the 2020 Census.

South Carolina's White Population

3,277,983 residents of South Carolina, or 61.9% of the population, identify as White. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, South Carolina is 31st in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, South Carolina's White population has grown by an estimated 3.1%. White residents' share of South Carolina's population has remained roughly unchanged at 61.9%.

South Carolina is more White than neighboring North Carolina (60% White), Georgia (49.1% White), Virginia (58.4% White), and Florida (50.4% White). South Carolina is less White than neighboring West Virginia (89.7% White),

South Carolina's Black Population

1,302,215 residents of South Carolina, or 24.6% of the population, identify as Black. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, South Carolina is 7th in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, South Carolina's Black population has grown by an estimated 2.6%. Black residents' share of South Carolina's population has remained roughly unchanged at 24.6%.

South Carolina is more Black than neighboring North Carolina (20% Black), Virginia (18.3% Black), West Virginia (3.1% Black), and Florida (14.6% Black). South Carolina is less Black than neighboring Georgia (30.7% Black),

South Carolina's Asian Population

92,552 residents of South Carolina, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Asian. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, South Carolina is 39th in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, South Carolina's Asian population has grown by an estimated 3.5%. Asian residents' share of South Carolina's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.7%.

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 (4.5% Asian). Virginia (6.9% Asian). and Florida (2.9% Asian).

South Carolina's Hispanic Population

390,376 residents of South Carolina, or 7.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, South Carolina is 35th in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, South Carolina's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 10.6%. Hispanic residents' share of South Carolina's population has increased from 6.9% to 7.4%.

South Carolina is more Hispanic than neighboring West Virginia (2.1% Hispanic). South Carolina is less Hispanic than neighboring North Carolina (11.3% Hispanic). Georgia (11% Hispanic). Virginia (11% Hispanic). and Florida (27.4% Hispanic).

South Carolina's Native American/Other Population

37,435 residents of South Carolina, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, South Carolina is 39th in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, South Carolina's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 4.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of South Carolina's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

South Carolina is more Native American/Other than neighboring West Virginia (0.4% Native American/Other). South Carolina is less Native American/Other than neighboring North Carolina (1.4% Native American/Other). Virginia (0.8% Native American/Other). and Florida (0.8% Native American/Other).

South Carolina's Multiracial Population

195,664 residents of South Carolina, or 3.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, South Carolina is 36th in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, South Carolina's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 3.2%. Multiracial residents' share of South Carolina's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.7%.

South Carolina is less Multiracial than neighboring North Carolina (4.1% Multiracial). Georgia (3.9% Multiracial). Virginia (4.7% Multiracial). West Virginia (3.9% Multiracial). and Florida (3.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.