Estimates Show S.C.’s Population To Increase to 6.4 Million by 2042

South Carolina’s population is projected to increase by an additional 1 million residents by 2042, according to new data released this week by the state’s Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (RFA). If the projections hold, South Carolina’s population will total nearly 6.4 million residents in 2042, a 19% increase from 2024 levels (over 5.3 million).

According to the projections, five counties (Horry, Berkeley, Jasper, Lancaster, and Spartanburg) will see their population increase by 49 percent or more from 2024 to 2042. Other counties that will see significant growth in pure population numbers include Greenville and York counties. It is estimated that many rural counties will likely lose residents over the next 18-year period, with a dozen counties having less than 20,000 residents by 2042.

South Carolina was the fastest-growing state in the country by percentage change in 2023, and the 5th fastest-growing state in the country by numeric change. More information on the new projections can be found here.