At a glance: South Carolina South Carolina is the 23rd most populous state in the U.S., with 5,373,555 residents across its 32,020 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 19 for business in 2024 by CNBC. South Carolina is known for its growing automotive and aerospace industries, and its biggest economic industries are manufacturing, healthcare, tourism, agriculture, and professional services. Energy South Carolina ranks No. 21 among states for most energy production, with its leading production sources being nuclear, natural gas, and wood/waste, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. South Carolina ranks No. 20 for most energy consumption, with leading energy sources consumed being nuclear power, motor gasoline, and natural gas. South Carolinians’ residential electricity rate is $0.151/kWh, slightly below the national average. Commercial electricity rate is lower as well; South Carolina commercial users pay $0.104/kWh, compared to the national average commercial rate of $0.1259/kWh. Industrial users pay $0.067/kWh, below the national average industrial electricity rate of $0.0804/kWh. South Carolinians’ residential natural gas price is $17.46 per thousand cubic feet, which is below the national average, according to the most recently available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Environment While the state’s population has soared 82 percent since 1970, annual carbon emissions have increased 59.3 percent since during the same span. The population is projected to increase another 20.5 percent, to 6.2 million residents, by 2050. The federal government lists 42 species in South Carolina as threatened or endangered.
