South Carolina
“The Palmetto State”
What Makes South Carolina Beautiful
South Carolina seduces with Lowcountry magic, where live oaks draped in Spanish moss arch over cobblestone streets, barrier islands shelter wild horses and loggerhead turtles, and tidal creeks wind through golden salt marshes. The Blue Ridge escarpment at Caesars Head plunges dramatically, and Congaree's old-growth floodplain forest is a cathedral of giant trees.
Key Metrics
5.4M
Population
$296.5B
GDP
+6.8%
GDP Growth (5yr)
$60.7K
Median Income
8.1%
Tax Burden
History
English settlers establish Charles Town, one of the first Southern colonies
Ratifies the Constitution as the 8th state
South Carolina becomes first state to secede from the Union
First shots of the Civil War fired at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor
Hurricane Hugo devastates the South Carolina coast
Top Cities
Charleston
150K
Historic port city; nationally acclaimed food scene
Columbia
138K
State capital; University of South Carolina
North Charleston
115K
Boeing manufacturing; growing city
Greenville
73K
Revitalized downtown; BMW manufacturing hub
Myrtle Beach
35K
Grand Strand resort; golf destination
Economy & Industry
Core Industries
Natural Resources
Energy Portfolio
Budget & Fiscal Health
$33.8B
State Budget
$32.5B
State Revenue
$-1.3B
Fiscal Balance
Social Indicators
13.4%
Poverty Rate
29.5%
College Degree
9.2%
Uninsured
499/100K
Crime Rate
Where is South Carolina Headed?
GDP Projections ($B)
| Scenario | 1yr | 5yr | 10yr | 25yr | 50yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic | $302B | $324B | $353B | $460B | $712B |
| Baseline | $301B | $317B | $339B | $416B | $583B |
| Pessimistic | $299B | $309B | $322B | $363B | $445B |
Political Landscape
R+8