These SC counties are growing the fastest, new Census data shows
South Carolina got more crowded in 2022, new U.S. Census data shows.
The state’s total population grew by 1.77% in 2022, year-over-year, according to the recent Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey. South Carolina had a total reported population of 5,282,634 in 2022, compared to 5,190,705 the prior year. The growth continues a trend in population gains for the state in recent years. South Carolina had a population of 4,636,312 as recorded in the 2010 Census.
But what of the state’s individual counties? Which ones saw the biggest population boosts?
The latest annual Census data does not include population reports for all 46 South Carolina counties — instead it has statistics on the 21 largest populated ones.
Of those, Horry County had the biggest population gains at 4.79% year-over year. It was followed closely behind by Lancaster County at 4.29%. Berkeley County took third place with 3.55% increase in population.
Beaufort County was one of two counties with a reported population drop — a 44.52% decrease year-over-year. Sumter County had a far smaller drop in population at 0.71%.
Below is is a breakdown of population data for 2021 and 2022 for the counties included in the latest American Community Survey.
County | 2022 | 2021 | Percent change |
Aiken | 174,150 | 170,776 | 1.97% |
Anderson | 209,581 | 206,908 | 1.29% |
Beaufort | 106,371 | 191,748 | -44.52% |
Berkeley | 245,117 | 236,701 | 3.55% |
Charleston | 419,279 | 413,024 | 1.51% |
Dorchester | 166,133 | 163,327 | 1.72% |
Florence | 136,721 | 136,504 | 0.16% |
Greenville | 547,950 | 533,834 | 2.64% |
Greenwood | 69,267 | 69,241 | 0.04% |
Horry | 383,101 | 365,579 | 4.79% |
Kershaw | 67,751 | 66,130 | 2.45% |
Lancaster | 104,577 | 100,336 | 4.23% |
Laurens | 67,965 | 67,803 | 0.24% |
Lexington | 304,797 | 300,137 | 1.55% |
Oconee | 80,180 | 79,203 | 1.23% |
Orangeburg | 83,094 | 82,961 | 0.16% |
Pickens | 133,462 | 132,229 | 0.93% |
Richland | 421,566 | 418,307 | 0.78% |
Spartanburg | 345,831 | 335,864 | 2.97% |
Sumter | 104,012 | 104,758 | -0.71% |
York | 294,248 | 288,595 | 1.96% |
SC population diversity
South Carolina had an uptick in racial diversity year-over-year. Below is a breakdown for each racial group in the state.
Race | 2022 | 2021 | Percent |
White | 3,361,662 | 3,301,055 | 1.83% |
Black | 1,325,020 | 1,299,709 | 1.95% |
Asian | 90,557 | 85,953 | 5.35% |
American Indian | 20,380 | 19,948 | 2.16% |
Native Hawaiian | 2,301 | 2,123 | 8.38% |
Hispanic | 343,783 | 329,424 | 4.36% |
