What is the least populated town in South Carolina?

The least populated incorporated place in South Carolina is often cited as the Town of Cope, in Orangeburg County, which had around 33 residents in 2022, though it narrowly avoided dissolution by proving it maintained over 50 people at one point. Another contender for smallest is the Town of Smyrna, in York County, known for its small, charming community with a population just over 50.

What town in South Carolina has the lowest population?

There are 271 cities and towns in South Carolina ranging in population from 45 to 129,272. With populations of 45, Smyrna and Tatum are the state's smallest cities, followed by Jenkinsville with a population of 46.

What is the cheapest town to live in South Carolina?

The cheapest places to live in South Carolina often include towns like Bennettsville, Union, Dillon, Gaffney, and Sumter, offering very low housing costs, cheap rent, and a lower overall cost of living compared to the state and national averages, with Bennettsville frequently cited as the most affordable due to extremely low median home prices and rent. 

What is the biggest risk of living in South Carolina?

Hurricane Risks

Living near the Atlantic Coast means hurricanes and tropical storms are part of life in South Carolina. Even inland cities like Columbia, Greenville, and the Charlotte area can feel the effects, though storms tend to weaken as they move inland.

What is the safest small town in South Carolina?

What city has the lowest crime rate in South Carolina? Tega Cay currently has South Carolina's lowest crime rates. Its VCR of 0.5 and PCR of 8.1 make it exceptionally safe.

Why You Probably DON'T KNOW South Carolina's Biggest City

What city has the worst crime rate in SC?

While rankings vary by source and year, recent analyses often point to Orangeburg, Union, and Myrtle Beach, or smaller towns like Dillon, as having some of South Carolina's highest crime rates, particularly for violent or property crime relative to population, with Columbia also frequently mentioned for high overall incidents. Orangeburg led in violent crime in one 2023 report, while Union topped another for overall danger, and Myrtle Beach had a high overall rate in another analysis, though its tourist influx skews data. 

What is the nicest town to live in South Carolina?

The best town in South Carolina depends on your priorities, with top contenders including Greenville for a vibrant downtown and mountain access, Charleston/Mount Pleasant for coastal charm, history, and jobs (but higher cost), and Fort Mill/Tega Cay for safety, good schools, and proximity to Charlotte, while Bluffton offers coastal growth and affordability. Other popular spots include Columbia, the capital, for central location and diverse jobs, and Myrtle Beach for a popular, lively beach town. 

Is SC more Republican or Democrat?

As of 2023, the Republican Party controls eight of nine state executive offices, both U.S. Senate seats, six of seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and a majority in the South Carolina General Assembly.

What to know before moving to SC?

Before moving to South Carolina, be prepared for hot, humid summers with hurricane risks, a slower pace of life and Southern hospitality, distinct regional BBQ, and a heavy reliance on cars due to limited public transit, but benefit from relatively low taxes and a growing economy in sectors like manufacturing and healthcare. Be ready for pests like palmetto bugs and snakes, understand that flood zones exist beyond the coast, and research specific areas, as climates and amenities vary.
 

What is the number one cause of death in South Carolina?

Heart disease, cancer, and accidents were the leading causes of death in South Carolina in 2022. Of the total deaths that year, 27,880, or 46% of the total, were due to one of these three causes. The fourth and fifth most common causes were COVID-19 and cerebrovascular diseases.

Where is the best small town to retire in South Carolina?

South Carolina offers great small towns for retirement, with top picks often including Beaufort, Georgetown, Aiken, and coastal areas like Litchfield Beach, known for history, affordability, and outdoor life, while mountain-adjacent Greenville and Greer provide vibrant scenes with lower costs than major cities, balancing charm with amenities and accessibility. Other popular options include Landrum, Camden, Spartanburg, and smaller lakeside towns like Belton, offering unique Southern vibes, cultural activities, and strong healthcare access. 

Where is the cheapest place to buy a home in SC?

For the cheapest housing in South Carolina, look towards areas like Bennettsville, Union, Dillon, Newberry, Gaffney, and Greenwood, which consistently show some of the lowest median home values and affordable overall living costs, often featuring historic charm or small-town vibes with lower property taxes and insurance compared to the state average. 

What is the #1 cheapest state to live in?

Below is a detailed breakdown of the ten most affordable states to live in 2025:

• Arkansas. Arkansas continues to be one of the most affordable states in the U.S., especially for those looking to buy property. ...
• Mississippi. ...
• Oklahoma. ...
• New Mexico. ...
• Missouri. ...
• Tennessee. ...
• Michigan. ...
• Texas.

What is the poorest city in South Carolina?

Determining the single "poorest city" in South Carolina depends on the metric (income, poverty rate, specific population), but recent analyses often highlight towns like Blackville, known for very low median household income ($19,583 in a 2023 study), while larger cities like Anderson and Greenwood have also been noted for high poverty rates among municipalities with over 25,000 residents. 

What is the best small town in South Carolina?

There's no single "best" small town in South Carolina, as it depends on what you're looking for, but popular choices often cited for charm, history, nature, and lifestyle include Beaufort (Lowcountry beauty), Aiken (equestrian & history), Bluffton (May River & arts), Travelers Rest (Greenville gateway & outdoors), Landrum (Foothills charm), and Camden (historic & equestrian), with Walhalla offering Blue Ridge Mountain access and German heritage.
 

Where is the most inexpensive place to live in South Carolina?

South Carolina offers many affordable living options, with cities like Greenwood, Sumter, Gaffney, Spartanburg, and Orangeburg frequently cited for low housing costs and overall lower cost of living compared to national averages, providing budget-friendly choices for families, retirees, and young professionals seeking smaller cities or suburban vibes with access to amenities and outdoor activities. 

Are people moving out of SC?

SOUTH CAROLINA (WCIV) — South Carolina cracked the top 10 states with the most outbound moves in the country, with 2025 marking the seventh straight year move people have moved away than in, a new study found.

Is it cheaper to live in NC or SC?

Generally, South Carolina is slightly cheaper to live in than North Carolina, primarily due to lower housing costs and a lower overall tax burden, though NC has more diverse metro options; SC often wins on affordability, especially for housing and taxes, while NC offers bigger cities and geographic variety. The best choice depends on your priorities, as taxes (income vs. property/sales) and location within each state vary significantly. 

How long do you have to live in SC to be considered a resident?

To be a South Carolina resident, especially for college tuition, you generally need to live there for 12 consecutive months, proving your intent to stay by getting an SC driver's license, registering vehicles, registering to vote, and establishing your home as your center of life, though for taxes, residency is about "domicile" (intent for permanent home) rather than just time, with no strict minimum days like some states. 

Is South Carolina a black or white state?

The racial composition of South Carolina includes 64.06% White, 25.3% Black or African American, and smaller percentages for other race, Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Is Charleston liberal or conservative?

A largely urban area containing the cities of Charleston and North Charleston, Charleston County is a reliable, but not overwhelming, supporter of the Democratic Party in the 21st century.

Is South Carolina a Trump state?

South Carolina voted for Trump by a comfortable margin in the election, with him winning the state by 17.9%. Trump received more than 1.48 million votes, which was a record for votes cast for any candidate in the history of South Carolina.

What is the prettiest place in South Carolina?

17 Most Beautiful Places In South Carolina To Visit and More

• Historic Charleston. ...
• Middleton Place. ...
• Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. ...
• Festival of Lights. ...
• Aiken-Rhett House Museum. ...
• Joseph Manigault Home. ...
• Old Sheldon Church. ...
• Beaufort.

What are the biggest challenges of living in South Carolina?

South Carolina offers warm weather, beautiful beaches, affordable living, and a strong sense of Southern hospitality. However, challenges like high humidity, limited public transportation, and hurricane risks can impact residents' lifestyles.

What city in South Carolina has the best weather?

Have you been wondering which city has the best climate to live in? The answer is right here! It is Charleston, SC, a city that has more than 220 sunny days per year!