South Carolina’s population growth continued in the newest U.S. Census Bureau estimates, with the state overall growing by 1.5% from an estimated 5,490,316 in July 2024 to 5,570,274 in July 2025.
For the municipalities, many of the fastest percentage increases are coming outside of the largest cities. For example, the state’s largest municipality, Charleston, increased by 4.0% during this time, ending at 159,423, while the second largest, Columbia, increased by 2.0% to 147,035. Many smaller cities and towns grew at a faster rate than these in 2025.
Here are the largest percentage increases from 2024 to 2025, with the municipality’s estimated population as of July 1, 2025:
10 fastest-growing municipalities, population above 3,000
- City of Woodruff – 16.8%, 6,026 pop.
- City of Hardeeville – 16.1%, 16,459 pop.
- Town of Moncks Corner – 11.5%, 20,612 pop.
- City of Beaufort – 8.7%, 15,775 pop.
- City of York – 8.0%, 10,620 pop.
- Town of Blythewood – 7.6%, 7,233 pop.
- City of Greer – 7.3%, 50,007 pop.
- Town of Fort Mill – 6.8%, 38,673 pop.
- City of Fountain Inn – 6.5%, 14,722 pop.
- City of Mauldin – 5.2%, 31,464 pop.
10 fastest-growing municipalities, population below 3,000
- Town of Atlantic Beach – 12.4%, 472 pop.
- Town of Springdale – 4.1%, 2,877 pop.
- City of Loris – 3.5%, 2,935 pop.
- Town of Waterloo – 3.3%, 159 pop.
- Town of Briarcliffe Acres – 3.2%, 585 pop.
- Town of Van Wyck – 3.1%, 1,065 pop.
- Town of Pacolet – 2.9%, 2,644 pop.
- Town of Reidville – 2.8%, 1,905 pop.
- City of Chesnee – 2.8%, 958 pop.
- City of Landrum – 2.8%, 2,865 pop.