South Carolina (SC)

Known as the "Palmetto State," South Carolina is famous for its historic charm, coastal beauty, and warm Southern hospitality. From the cobblestone streets of Charleston to the sandy shores of Myrtle Beach, the state offers a rich mix of history, culture, and outdoor adventure.

• Population: ~5.4 million
• Weather: Hot, humid summers (85-100°F); mild winters (40-60°F).
• Famous Sites: Charleston Historic District, Myrtle Beach, Congaree National Park, Hilton Head Island, Fort Sumter.
• Top Activities: Beach vacations, golf, boating, historic tours, hiking, Lowcountry cuisine tasting.

South Carolina’s job market is growing, with strong opportunities in healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and education. These industries offer stable careers with competitive salaries. Here are the top five in-demand jobs in South Carolina based on earnings and job openings. Click on the job titles to view more details from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

South Carolina has several thriving cities known for their growing populations and active college communities. These cities feature well-known colleges and universities that bring thousands of students to the state each year. The table below lists the 10 largest cities in South Carolina, along with their approximate population and student enrollment.

South Carolina is home to top public and private universities offering excellent programs in business, engineering, healthcare, and the arts.

Top Public Colleges & Universities in South Carolina

• University of South Carolina (USC) – The state's flagship university, known for strong business, engineering, and healthcare programs.
• Clemson University – A highly ranked research university with strong programs in STEM, agriculture, and business.
• College of Charleston – A historic liberal arts college offering strong business, science, and arts programs.
• Coastal Carolina University – A growing university with strong business, marine science, and education programs.
• Winthrop University – A well-regarded public university known for education, business, and the arts.

Top Private Colleges & Universities in South Carolina

• Furman University – A top-ranked liberal arts school known for its strong academic programs and engaged learning approach.
• Wofford College – A prestigious liberal arts college with strong pre-med, business, and humanities programs.
• Presbyterian College – A small private college offering strong healthcare, business, and liberal arts programs.
• Charleston Southern University – A Christian university with strengths in business, healthcare, and education.
• Erskine College – A small, faith-based liberal arts college focused on personalized education.

South Carolina is home to some of the best public and private high schools, offering students strong academic programs, extracurricular activities, and college preparatory courses. These schools provide excellent educational opportunities and contribute to student success.

Top Public High Schools in South Carolina

• Academic Magnet High School, North Charleston – Ranked among the top schools in the nation, known for its challenging curriculum and high college acceptance rates.
• Charleston School of the Arts, Charleston – Combines rigorous academics with a strong focus on visual and performing arts.
• South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville – A prestigious school offering advanced STEM programs and research opportunities.
• Dreher High School, Columbia – Recognized for its strong academic programs, AP courses, and student achievement.
• Riverside High School, Greer – Offers a well-rounded education with excellent AP and honors courses, as well as competitive sports programs.

Top Private High Schools in South Carolina

• Christ Church Episcopal School, Greenville – A top-rated private school offering a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and strong extracurricular programs.
• Porter-Gaud School, Charleston – Known for academic excellence, leadership development, and innovative teaching methods.
• Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia – Offers a well-rounded education with strong academics, athletics, and arts programs.
• Charleston Collegiate School, Johns Island – Focuses on experiential learning, college readiness, and leadership skills.
• Paul M. Dorman High School, Roebuck – Provides high-quality education with an emphasis on advanced coursework and student achievement.

South Carolina does not have any major league professional sports teams (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL). However, the state has a passionate sports culture, especially around college football, with teams like the South Carolina Gamecocks (University of South Carolina) and the Clemson Tigers (Clemson University). These programs have strong fan bases, making their games feel like major league events.

Despite the absence of big four major league teams, South Carolina is home to several minor league and semi-professional teams across multiple sports, offering fans exciting local options.

Minor League & Semi-Pro Teams in South Carolina

Baseball 🏟️

• Charleston RiverDogs (Single-A – Tampa Bay Rays affiliate) – A popular minor league team with a deep history and fun game-day atmosphere.
• Columbia Fireflies (Single-A – Kansas City Royals affiliate) – Known for their bright uniforms and past connection to MLB star Tim Tebow.
• Greenville Drive (High-A – Boston Red Sox affiliate) – A team with a strong connection to its MLB parent club, playing at Fluor Field.
• Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Single-A – Chicago Cubs affiliate) – A well-supported team located by the beach, providing great entertainment.

Hockey 🏒

• South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL – Washington Capitals affiliate) – A competitive minor league hockey team with multiple championships.
• Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL – Los Angeles Kings affiliate) – Bringing fast-paced hockey action to the Greenville area.

Soccer ⚽

• Charleston Battery (USL Championship – Second-tier professional league) – One of the oldest continuously operating pro soccer teams in the U.S.

Basketball 🏀

• Greenville Gliders (TBL – The Basketball League) – A semi-pro basketball team bringing competitive hoops to South Carolina.

While South Carolina may not have a major league team, its minor league and semi-pro teams provide exciting sports entertainment for fans across the state.

1. First to Secede from the Union ⚔️ – South Carolina was the first state to secede from the United States on December 20, 1860, leading to the Civil War.
2. Home to the First Tea Garden in America 🍵 – The Charleston Tea Garden, located on Wadmalaw Island, is the only tea plantation in North America.
3. Has an Island Full of Monkeys 🐒 – Morgan Island, also called Monkey Island, is home to over 3,000 wild rhesus monkeys used for research, but humans are not allowed to visit.
4. Birthplace of Barbecue 🍖 – South Carolina is known as one of the first places in the U.S. to cook barbecue, with its signature mustard-based sauce called "Carolina Gold."
5. The First Battle of the Civil War Took Place Here 💥 – The first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor on April 12, 1861.
6. The State Dance is the Shag 💃 – South Carolina’s official state dance is the Carolina Shag, a smooth and upbeat partner dance popular in beach towns.
7. Home to the World's Largest Ginkgo Farm 🍂 – Sumter, South Carolina, has the largest ginkgo tree farm in the world, covering over 12,000 acres.
8. Myrtle Beach Has Over 60 Miles of Beaches 🏖️ – Myrtle Beach is part of the "Grand Strand," a 60-mile-long stretch of sandy beaches along the Atlantic coast.
9. South Carolina Has a Town Called Hell Hole Swamp 👿 – Located in Berkeley County, Hell Hole Swamp is famous for hunting and its annual Hell Hole Swamp Festival.
10. It’s the Palmetto State 🌴 – South Carolina is nicknamed the Palmetto State because of the sabal palmetto tree, which played a key role in the Revolutionary War.