The capital of South Carolina is Columbia.
The Postal Code for South Carolina: SC
The typical abbreviation for South Carolina: S.C.
Time Zone:
The state of South Carolina is in the Eastern Time (EST/EDT) zone and observes daylight saving time.
| Note: |
Starting in 2007, Daylight Savings Time will be begin 3 weeks earlier and end 1 week later.
Click here for details. |
When the people of South Carolina refer to themselves: South Carolinian
Population: According to the 2006 Census estimates, South Carolina has a population of 4,321,249 people.
This represents 1.44% of the national total, making it the 24th most populous state.
The following are population changes since the last Census. The population counts after year 2000 are estimates.
| Year | Population | Change |
| 2006 | 4,321,249 | +1.75% since 2005 |
| 2005 | 4,246,933 | +1.25% since 2004 |
| 2004 | 4,194,694 | +1.26% since 2003 |
| 2003 | 4,142,356 | +1.01% since 2002 |
| 2002 | 4,101,122 | +0.99% since 2001 |
| 2001 | 4,060,728 | +1.21% since 2000 |
| 2000 | 4,012,012 | Last Census Count |
Area:
The area of South Carolina is 32,020 square miles (82,931.42 km²).
This represents 0.84% of the national total.
South Carolina ranks as the 40th largest state.
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Density:
The population density of South Carolina is 143.52 people per square mile (55.41 people/km²).
South Carolina ranks 21st in population density.
Nickname for South Carolina: "The Palmetto State"
State Motto: "Animis Opibusque Parati" (Ready in soul and resource) and "Dum Spiro Spero" (While I breathe, I hope)
State Bird: Carolina Wren (thryothorus ludovicianus)
State Tree: Cabbage Palmetto (sabal palmetto)
State Flower: Yellow Jessamine (gelsemium sempervirens)
State Song: "Carolina" and "South Carolina On My Mind"
Statehood:
South Carolina became the 8th state on May 23, 1788.
It was the first state to secede from the Union (on Dec 20, 1860)
and following the Civil War, it was the 5th Confederate state to be re-admitted (on July 9, 1868).
Useful State Links
The state website for South Carolina can be found at:
The portal for South Carolina tourism:
For information about South Carolina fishing regulations and licenses requirements:
For information about South Carolina hunting regulations and licenses requirements:
Communities Ranked by Population (Top-15)
 
| Rank | City | 2005
Population | National
Rank |
| 1 | Columbia | 117,088 | |
| 2 | Charleston | 106,712 | |
| 3 | North Charleston | 86,313 | |
| 4 | Greenville | 56,676 | |
| 5 | Rock Hill | 59,554 | |
| 6 | Mount Pleasant | 57,932 | |
| 7 | Sumter | 39,679 | |
| 8 | Spartanburg | 38,379 | |
| 9 | Hilton Head Island | 34,497 | |
| 10 | Florence | 31,269 | |
| 11 | Goose Creek | 32,516 | |
| 12 | Summerville | 37,714 | |
| 13 | Anderson | 25,899 | |
| 14 | Aiken | 27,490 | |
| 15 | Myrtle Beach | 26,593 | |
Other Roadside Stops
Miscellaneous Information
| Census Region: 3 (South) |
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| Census Division: 5 (South Atlantic) |
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| State FIPS-55 Code: 45 |
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| Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Region IV / Region 4 |
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| ISO-3166-2 Code: US-SC |
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