People are moving to SC from these 10 states the most, new Census data shows

Patrick McCreless
·2 min read

South Carolina’s population grew significantly in 2022 through migration from other states, new U.S. Census data shows.

But which states did people move from to South Carolina the most?

According to U.S. Census data released on Thursday, South Carolina gained 219,707 people from other states in 2022, year-over year.

Of those new residents, 36,324 came from North Carolina — the most from a single state. It was far more than the second-highest state, Georgia, with 19,121 people.

The new Census data also shows that South Carolina got an influx of 22,215 new residents in 2022 who lived outside the U.S. the previous year.

Below are the 10 states South Carolina gained the most new residents from last year.

  1. North Carolina: 36,324

  2. Georgia: 19,121

  3. New York: 15,537

  4. California: 15,035

  5. Florida: 14,769

  6. Virginia: 11,446

  7. Pennsylvania: 9,337

  8. Texas: 8,811

  9. New Jersey: 7,926

  10. Maryland: 7,891

A 2023 study by United Van Lines found that the number one reason (38.69%) people moved to South Carolina in 2022 was for retirement. Another 28.57% moved to the Palmetto State to be closer to family, while 25.89% moved for a lifestyle change. The fourth top reason was for jobs at 20.54%.

The study also shows that 40.29% of the people who moved to South Carolina in 2022 had a incomes of $150,000 or more. Another 26.70% had incomes of $100,000 to $149,999.

Below is a breakdown of the migration of new residents to South Carolina from every state and the District of Columbia in 2022.

  • Alabama: 1,438

  • Alaska: 332

  • Arizona: 2,628

  • Arkansas: 819

  • California: 15,035

  • Colorado: 2,472

  • Connecticut: 4,437

  • Delaware: 2,007

  • District of Columbia: 1,234

  • Florida: 14,769

  • Georgia: 19,121

  • Hawaii: 191

  • Idaho: 387

  • Illinois: 5,342

  • Indiana: 3,136

  • Iowa: 973

  • Kansas: 914

  • Kentucky: 1,832

  • Louisiana: 2,225

  • Maine: 1,080

  • Maryland: 7,891

  • Massachusetts: 5,109

  • Michigan: 1,829

  • Minnesota: 1,234

  • Mississippi: 2,505

  • Missouri: 2,362

  • Montana: 778

  • Nebraska: 54

  • Nevada: 388

  • New Hampshire: 2,191

  • New Jersey: 7,926

  • New Mexico: 804

  • New York: 15,537

  • North Carolina: 36,324

  • North Dakota: 653

  • Ohio: 6,059

  • Oklahoma: 1,338

  • Oregon: 1,561

  • Pennsylvania: 9,337

  • Rhode Island: 720

  • South Dakota: 30

  • Tennessee: 4,374

  • Texas: 8,811

  • Utah: 1,118

  • Vermont: 1,206

  • Virginia: 11,446

  • Washington: 5,097

  • West Virginia: 1,195

  • Wisconsin: 989

  • Wyoming: 429