01
Location
Neighboring states: Georgia, North Carolina.
Local timeColumbia ·
U.S. States / South · Card 040
South Carolina
South Carolina is a U.S. state in the South. Its capital is Columbia.
Find South Carolina
● State capital · Gold highlights South Carolina.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
At a glance
- Capital
- Columbia
- Postal abbreviation
- SC
- Population
- 5,570,274July 1, 2025 · Census estimate
- Total area
- 82,933 km²32,020 square miles · land and water
- Constitution ratified
- May 23, 1788One of the original thirteen states
- Currency
- U.S. dollar (USD)
Sources: Census · population · Census · area
South Carolina in context
Gold shows South Carolina. The dot marks Columbia.
Alaska and Hawaii are shown in separate insets at different scales.Geography & flag
02
Landscape & places
Congaree protects an extensive old-growth bottomland hardwood forest on a river floodplain.
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Land and water
The total area includes 77,857 km² of land and 5,076 km² of water, according to Census area measurements.
State flag
A white palmetto tree and crescent on a dark-blue field.
Sources: Census · geographic reference · Census · area measurements · National Park Service · Congaree
History & statehood
South Carolina and North Carolina developed from the Carolina charter and became separate colonial governments. South Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788. Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor later became the site of the opening bombardment of the Civil War.
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Carolina charter granted
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Constitution ratified · One of the original thirteen states
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Bombardment of Fort Sumter began the Civil War
Sources: Congressional Research Service · statehood · U.S. Census Bureau · historical geography · National Park Service
Economy
Main activities
In 2025, real estate and rental and leasing was the largest of the broad industry groups compared here by current-dollar output. Other major groups included government and government enterprises, manufacturing, and professional and business services.
Total economic output was $378.8 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Largest industry groups · 2025
- Real estate and rental and leasing: 15.8%
- Government and government enterprises: 13.0%
- Manufacturing: 12.8%
- Professional and business services: 11.0%
Share of total current-dollar GDP. These figures measure output, not employment.
Sources: BEA · annual GDP by state, SAGDP2
Population & economic trends
Population, 2020–2025
Millions of people5.572025 · millions of people
July 1 resident population estimates, using the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 series.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
View data table
| Year | People |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 5,131,992 |
| 2021 | 5,194,346 |
| 2022 | 5,288,957 |
| 2023 | 5,390,798 |
| 2024 | 5,490,316 |
| 2025 | 5,570,274 |
Real GDP, 2010–2025
Billions of chained 2017 dollars286.772025 · billions of chained 2017 dollars
Real GDP measures economic output adjusted for inflation. The chart uses BEA’s chained 2017 dollars.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
View data table
| Year | Millions of chained 2017 dollars |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 188,777.2 |
| 2011 | 193,221.0 |
| 2012 | 195,406.1 |
| 2013 | 200,147.3 |
| 2014 | 206,077.9 |
| 2015 | 213,212.4 |
| 2016 | 220,559.3 |
| 2017 | 224,937.6 |
| 2018 | 231,663.3 |
| 2019 | 239,021.3 |
| 2020 | 233,294.4 |
| 2021 | 245,812.0 |
| 2022 | 256,608.5 |
| 2023 | 266,037.8 |
| 2024 | 278,032.8 |
| 2025 | 286,774.3 |
Government
South Carolina has three branches of state government. The governor leads the executive branch. A Senate and House of Representatives form the legislature, which passes state laws and budgets. State courts interpret and apply the law.
Sources: USAGov · South Carolina
Knowledge check
Three questions about South Carolina.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
What is the capital of South Carolina?
Sources & notes
Prepared 27 September 2026. Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025, July 1 estimates for 2020–2025. Real GDP: BEA annual state accounts, SAGDP9, millions of chained 2017 dollars; industry shares: SAGDP2, current dollars. Data downloaded 27 September 2026. Area measurements include land and water.
Sources: Census · population estimates · BEA · state GDP · Census · area measurements · Natural Earth · map data
The capital clock shows current local time. Statistical figures are dated estimates and may be revised.