100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
South Carolina (SC) sits in the southeastern United States, and the state’s economy leans on agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Top attractions include beaches led by the famous resort of Myrtle Beach and Congaree National Park. The state capital is Columbia. South Carolina was the first state to vote for secession from the Union on December 20, 1860, which helped trigger the Civil War.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name South Carolina Abbreviation SC Capital Columbia Largest city Charleston (Population: 155 369) Current time 23:54 Time zone EST (UTC-5), state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) Population 5,118,422 (#23 most populous US state) Area 32,020 sqmi (#40 largest US state) Admitted to the Union May 23, 1788 (#8 state to join) ⭐ Capital of South Carolina
The capital of South Carolina is Columbia, which took its name from Lady Columbia, the allegorical personification of the United States. The plan to establish a new capital arose on March 22, 1786, when it officially became the seat of government.
🏙️ Largest City in South Carolina
The largest city in South Carolina by population is Charleston, home to 155,369 residents in 2023. Second is the capital, Columbia, with 142,416 residents, and third is North Charleston with a population of 121,469.
🕒 Time in South Carolina
The current time in South Carolina is 23:54. The entire state uses Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5), switching to daylight saving time from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of South Carolina
As of 2023, South Carolina had 5,118,422 residents, making it the 23rd most populous state in the United States.
📍 Area of South Carolina
South Carolina’s total area is 32,020 sqmi, of which 30,061 sqmi is land and 1,960 sqmi is water. South Carolina ranks as the 40th largest U.S. state.
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Fun Facts About South Carolina
🧩 Which States Border South Carolina
South Carolina borders only two U.S. states, North Carolina to the north and Georgia to the south. It also has a 187 mi Atlantic Ocean coastline to the east.
📅 Date of South Carolina Statehood
South Carolina joined the Union on May 23, 1788 as the 8th state to ratify the United States Constitution.
📛 South Carolina State Nickname
South Carolina’s nickname is “The Palmetto State,” a nod to the official state tree. The sabal palmetto (Sabal palmetto) can reach up to 66 ft in height and grows not only in South Carolina but also in Florida, the Bahamas, and Cuba. The nickname emerged after the Battle of Fort Moultrie, where palmetto logs were used to build Fort Sullivan.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in South Carolina
The highest point in South Carolina is Sassafras Mountain at 3,554 ft, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains within the Appalachian range.
🏞️ Rivers in South Carolina
The longest river in South Carolina is the Savannah River with a total length of 301 mi, part of which runs along the Georgia border. It is followed by the Pee Dee River (232 mi), the Catawba River (217 mi), the Edisto River (206 mi), and the Saluda River (199 mi).
🎓 Universities in South Carolina
The largest university in South Carolina is the University of South Carolina, founded in 1801 in Columbia and enrolling around 30,000 students. In second place with roughly 25,000 students is Clemson University, and the third largest is Coastal Carolina University, with more than 10,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in South Carolina
Addresses in South Carolina use the ZIP code range 290xx to 299xx. Learn more in the guide to ZIP codes in the USA, and look up a ZIP code for a specific address on the USPS website.
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Weather in South Carolina
The best times to visit South Carolina are spring and fall, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is relatively low. Traveling in these months helps you avoid the sticky humidity of summer.
Spring in South Carolina brings average temperatures from 59 °F to 77 °F, and showers are common. Snow in spring is rare.
Summer in South Carolina is hot and humid, with temperatures usually ranging from 77 °F to 90 °F. High humidity can make it feel even warmer. Heavy rain and afternoon thunderstorms are very common, though they usually do not last long. The coastal region faces an elevated risk of tropical storms and hurricanes from June through November.
Fall in South Carolina brings more pleasant temperatures around 59 °F to 77 °F, with fewer showers than in summer. Favorable forecasts and fall colors make it a great time to travel.
Winter in South Carolina is mild, with temperatures above freezing, typically between 45 °F and 54 °F. Rain is common in winter, and snowfall is uncommon.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in South Carolina
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What to See in South Carolina
1️⃣ Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park is famous for its swamps and old-growth forests, with trees among the tallest on the entire East Coast. You can paddle the swamps in a rented kayak, and if you prefer dry land, there is a wide choice of hiking trails. Wildlife sightings may include raccoons, alligators, and rare bird species.
2️⃣ Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach on the Atlantic coast is one of the most popular beach resorts in the eastern United States. Visitors have roughly 60 mi of sandy beaches to enjoy, with great conditions for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Along the shore you will find several amusement parks featuring the SkyWheel observation wheel, an aquarium, and plenty of shops and restaurants.
3️⃣ Fort Sumter National Monument
Fort Sumter on the Atlantic coast is where the American Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces opened fire on the fort. It sits on an island that is easy to reach by boat. Guided tours explain the fort’s history, its strategic significance, and the events that led to the outbreak of war.
4️⃣ Charleston Historic District
If you love history and urban architecture, the Charleston Historic District delivers. One of the oldest cities in the United States, Charleston is known for its colonial architecture and well-preserved 18th and 19th century homes. Many now house museums, art galleries, or restaurants.
5️⃣ Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Founded in 1676, Magnolia is among the oldest plantations in all of South Carolina. Today it is best known for its beautiful gardens, where azaleas and camellias take center stage. The grounds include a museum that explores plantation life during and after the era of slavery.
6️⃣ Caesars Head State Park
Caesars Head State Park lies in the northwest of the state and is known for sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountains. The park offers a full network of hiking trails of varying difficulty. The most famous is the 3.8 mi Raven Cliff Falls Trail, which leads to a beautiful waterfall. Fall is the best time to visit, when the leaves turn red and orange.
7️⃣ Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Patriots Point is home to the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, which served in the Pacific during World War II. Visitors can explore the massive carrier’s interior, along with the submarine USS Clamagore and the destroyer USS Laffey. Interactive exhibits cover U.S. naval history, including the Vietnam and Korean Wars.
8️⃣ Old Slave Mart Museum
The museum sits in a building that operated as a slave market before the Civil War. Today, visitors can learn about the history of slavery in South Carolina through photographs and interactive exhibits. An audio guide offers a stark look at the lives of enslaved people during a dark chapter of American history.
9️⃣ Drayton Hall
Drayton Hall is one of the oldest surviving plantation houses in the United States, located on the outskirts of Charleston. Built in 1738, it is the only plantation house in the area to have come through the Civil War unscathed. The house was never modernized, so it offers an authentic look at 18th century life. Guided tours provide valuable insight into the history of slavery.
🔟 Rainbow Row
Rainbow Row in Charleston is a photogenic stretch of 13 historic houses painted in pastel colors. All were built during the 18th century, and careful restoration has turned them into a symbol of Lowcountry architecture. History lovers can take a guided tour focused on Charleston’s post–Civil War reconstruction.
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Largest Cities in South Carolina
The table lists the ten largest cities in South Carolina in 2023. The source is the federal agency, the United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is the national census.
City County Population 1 Charleston Charleston, Berkeley 155,369 Map of Charleston 2 Columbia Richland, Lexington 142,416 Map of Columbia 3 North Charleston Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester 121,469 Map of North Charleston 4 Mount Pleasant Charleston 95,232 Map of Mount Pleasant 5 Rock Hill York 75,654 Map of Rock Hill 6 Greenville Greenville 72,824 Map of Greenville 7 Summerville Dorchester, Berkeley, Charleston 51,884 Map of Summerville 8 Goose Creek Berkeley 49,249 Map of Goose Creek 9 Greer Greenville, Spartanburg 44,387 Map of Greer 10 Sumter Sumter 42,766 Map of Sumter -
Sports Teams in South Carolina
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
There is no NHL team from South Carolina.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
South Carolina has no team in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
South Carolina has no representation in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no MLB team from South Carolina.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
No team from South Carolina plays in MLS.
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South Carolina State Symbols
South Carolina has many official state symbols, some of which are set by law. Below is a selection of notable symbols.
State Flag of South Carolina
The current design of the flag was adopted on January 28, 1861, and the motif is simple. It features an indigo field with a palmetto, typical of South Carolina, and a crescent in the upper left corner. The look of the flag draws on a design used in the late 18th century.
Great Seal of South Carolina
The Great Seal of South Carolina was adopted in 1776 and has a distinctive look. Two ovals, joined by palmetto fronds, sit at the center. The left oval shows a tall palmetto and a broken oak, a reference to the 1776 battle between the defenders of Sullivan’s Island and the British fleet. The right oval features the Roman goddess Spes walking along a shoreline strewn with weapons.
State Tree
The official state tree and one of South Carolina’s best-known symbols is the sabal palmetto (Sabal palmetto), which grows mainly in the state’s lowlands. It became a state symbol after the 1776 battle in which palmetto logs were used to build Fort Sullivan, a fortification that helped save Charleston from a British attack.
State Animal
In 1972, the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was designated the official state animal. Hunting is permitted during certain seasons in every county in South Carolina.
State Color
South Carolina law even specifies an official state color. Indigo blue comes from the uniform of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, commanded by Colonel William Moultrie, who helped defend Charleston thanks to a fort built of palmetto wood.
State Dog Breed
The state dog of South Carolina is the Boykin Spaniel, bred near the city of Camden on the Wateree River. The Boykin Spaniel is used for hunting wild ducks and turkeys.
State Fish
In 1972, the striped bass (Morone saxatilis) was added to the list of state symbols. It can grow up to 100 cm in length and has been stocked, for example, in Lake Murray in central South Carolina.
State Amphibian
Since 1999, the official state amphibian has been the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), chosen at the suggestion of a third grade class at an elementary school in Spartanburg.
State Flower
South Carolina’s floral emblem is yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), which blooms bright yellow in spring. It symbolizes constancy, loyalty, and patriotism in service to the state.
State Fruit
Since 1984, the official state fruit has been the peach. South Carolina is the second largest producer in the United States after California.
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