Get ready-to-use data, reports, analysis, and visualizations covering the demographics of South Carolina based on the current United States Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates.
South Carolina 2024 Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the total population of South Carolina is 5,478,831. The median age of the population in South Carolina is 40.7 years. The median age for males is 38.9 years, and for females it is 42.2 years.
The age distribution of the population in South Carolina by age group is as follows:
| Age Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 5.35% |
| 5–17 years (children) | 15.63% |
| 18–24 years (young adults) | 9.18% |
| 25–34 years | 12.57% |
| 35–54 years | 24.70% |
| 55–64 years | 12.80% |
| 65 years and over (seniors) | 19.76% |
The total dependency ratio in South Carolina is 68.77. The youth dependency ratio is 35.42, and the old-age dependency ratio is 33.35. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children under 18 and older adults 65+) relative to the working age (18-64) population. A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support the non-working age groups.
South Carolina 2024 Demographics: Race & Ethnicity Distribution
The racial makeup and ethnic composition (racial demographics) of South Carolina is detailed below, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates.
The Diversity Index for South Carolina is calculated at 55.72, suggesting a moderate level of racial and ethnic diversity. This index measures the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.
The following table provides the breakdown of the population of South Carolina by race and ethnicity:
| Racial/Ethnic Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White Alone (Non-Hispanic) | 61.61% |
| Black/African American Alone | 23.34% |
| Hispanic or Latino (Any Race) | 7.93% |
| Two or More Races | 4.52% |
| Asian Alone | 1.97% |
| Some Other Race Alone | 0.39% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native Alone | 0.21% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone | 0.03% |
South Carolina 2024 Demographics: Household Income Distribution
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the median household income in South Carolina over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2024 inflation, was $72,350. This figure is based on a total of 2,222,890 households.
The distribution of household income in South Carolina across various income brackets is as follows:
| Income Range | Percentage of Households |
|---|---|
| Less than $20,000 | 12.41% |
| $20,000 to $34,999 | 10.85% |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 11.14% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 17.03% |
| $75,000 to $149,999 | 30.38% |
| $150,000 or more | 18.19% |
South Carolina 2024 Demographics: Educational Attainment Distribution
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the educational attainment data covers the population 25 years and older in South Carolina, totaling 3,825,876 individuals.
A significant portion of the population, 90.95%, has attained a high school diploma or higher. Furthermore, the percentage of individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher professional/graduate degree is 33.33%.
The detailed breakdown by educational level is presented below:
| Educational Attainment Level | Percentage of Population 25+ |
|---|---|
| Less than high school graduate | 9.05% |
| High school graduate (incl. equivalency) | 27.67% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 29.95% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 20.31% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 13.02% |
South Carolina 2024 Demographics: Health Insurance Coverage by Gender & Age
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the health insurance coverage data for South Carolina shows that 9.0% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 481,968 individuals out of a total population of 5,379,981 people.
The uninsured rates vary significantly by age group. Young adults (18-34 years) have uninsured rates of 19.6% for males and 14.0% for females. In the 35-64 age bracket, 12.7% of males and 9.7% of females are uninsured.
Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare. In South Carolina, uninsured rates for children are 5.8% for males and 6.0% for females, while seniors have rates of 0.7% for males and 0.4% for females.
| Age Group | Male Uninsured % | Female Uninsured % |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 5.8% | 6.0% |
| 18-34 years | 19.6% | 14.0% |
| 35-64 years | 12.7% | 9.7% |
| 65+ years | 0.7% | 0.4% |
South Carolina 2024 Demographics: Nativity and Citizenship Status
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the nativity and citizenship data for South Carolina shows that 96.5% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes both native-born and naturalized citizens, representing 5,285,214 individuals out of a total population of 5,478,831 people.
The nativity breakdown reveals diverse origins: 92.3% were born in the United States, 0.4% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, and 1.0% were born abroad of American parent(s).
Among the foreign-born population, 2.9% of the total population have become naturalized U.S. citizens (157,392 individuals), while 3.5% are non-citizens (193,617 individuals).
| Nativity/Citizenship Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Born in the United States | 92.3% |
| Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas | 0.4% |
| Born abroad of American parent(s) | 1.0% |
| U.S. citizen by naturalization | 2.9% |
| Not a U.S. citizen | 3.5% |
| Total U.S. Citizens | 96.5% |
South Carolina 2024 Demographics: Means of Transportation to Work
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the commuting patterns for South Carolina show that 83.9% of workers commute by car, truck, or van. This represents 2,156,463 workers out of a total workforce of 2,571,377 people.
Public transportation usage stands at 0.3% (8,421 workers), which includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries, but excludes taxicabs. Active transportation methods include walking (1.6%) and bicycling (0.2%).
Remote work has become an increasingly important commuting option, with 12.3% of workers in South Carolina working from home. An additional 1.7% use other means such as taxicabs, motorcycles, or other forms of transportation. These alternative commuting patterns reflect changing work arrangements and transportation preferences in the modern workforce.
| Transportation Method | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Car, truck, or van | 83.9% |
| Public transportation | 0.3% |
| Bicycle | 0.2% |
| Walked | 1.6% |
| Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means | 1.7% |
| Worked from home | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
The age breakdown for the population of South Carolina is as follows:
| Age Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 5.35% |
| 5–17 years (children) | 15.63% |
| 18–24 years (young adults) | 9.18% |
| 25–34 years | 12.57% |
| 35–54 years | 24.70% |
| 55–64 years | 12.80% |
| 65 years and over (seniors) | 19.76% |