Charleston tops 2020 census list as largest in SC

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The results are in. Charleston is still the state’s largest city.

Growing 20% since 2010, the Holy City’s population has now reached more than 150,000 residents, making it the most populated city, and one of the fastest-growing, in South Carolina, according to the 2020 Census data. 

Columbia, ousted as the largest city back in 2017, takes the No. 2 spot with 136,632 residents.

North Charleston ranked third with a population of 114,852, followed by Mount Pleasant, which grew 33% to 90,801.

Rounding out South Carolina’s top 10 most populous cities are Rock Hill with 74,372 residents; Greenville with 70,720; Summerville with 50,915; Goose Creek with 45,946; Sumter with 43,463 and Florence with 39,899.

The Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach metro area was the fastest growing area in South Carolina, according to census data, increasing 36.6% from 2010 to 2020 to 514,488 residents.

Overall, South Carolina ranked 23rd out of all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, for total population.

The top 10 most populated counties in the Palmetto State are:

1. Greenville County: 525,534
2. Richland County: 416,147
3. Charleston County: 408,235
4. Horry County: 351,029
5. Spartanburg County: 327,997
6. Lexington County: 293,991
7. York County: 282,090
8. Berkeley County: 229,861
9. Anderson County: 203,718
10. Beaufort County: 187,117

Dorchester County ranked at No. 12 with 161,540 residents.

For the U.S. overall, Los Angeles County continues to be the largest county with more than 10 million people. New York City remains the largest city with 8.8 million people in 2020.