South Carolina Records Fastest Population Growth in the Country 

By Lainey Stalnaker, Data Analytics Writer 

Between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, South Carolina’s population grew at a rate of 1.5 percent, faster than any other state in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.[1]

South Carolina has consistently recorded rapid population growth, ranking in the top six among all states in each of the last five years for percentage change. Within the last five years, South Carolina’s population growth peaked at a rate of 1.9 percent between July 2022 and July 2023, which was also the third fastest growth rate in the country. Recent population growth rates are shown in Figure 1. 

Note: All start and end dates in the table are July 1 of the years shown. 

There are three major components to state population growth: natural change, which is calculated by subtracting the number of deaths from the number of births; international migration, which is the number of people moving from outside the country; and domestic migration, which is the number of people moving from another state within the country.  

From July 2024 through July 2025, South Carolina’s population increased by nearly 80,000 people. Births in the state exceeded deaths for the first time in the last five years, by 564 people, therefore having a small effect on the natural growth of the population. 

Net international migration was just under 13,000, far fewer than the 32,760 migrants who moved from outside the U.S. between July 2023 and July 2024.  

The primary driver of recent population growth was domestic migration. From July 2024 to July 2025, South Carolina netted 66,622 domestic migrants, meaning 66,622 more people moved into the state than out of it. Figure 2 provides a breakdown of population growth by component. Domestic migration was highest between July 2021 and July 2022, but was tempered by negative natural change. For the period July 2020 to July 2025, population growth in South Carolina was at its highest between July 2022 and July 2023, when the increase exceeded 100,000 people.  

Overall, South Carolina’s population continues to grow rapidly, largely as a result of migration from other states—though growth has slowed since its pandemic-era peak, when the expansion of remote work along with elevated labor market turnover led to unusually high rates of relocation across the country.  

Population growth has major implications for the labor market, as it leads to new entries into the labor force and greater demand for goods and services; however, effects aren’t spread equally across the state, and some regions have felt pressure in their labor markets more acutely than others. Whether you’ve recently relocated or are a lifelong resident, job seekers across South Carolina are encouraged to take advantage of resources administered by DEW, which can be accessed online at scworks.org or by visiting a local SC Works center.  

[1] Population Growth Slows Due to Decline in Net International Migration