With over 5 million residents, South Carolina is the 23rd most populous state in the country. The state has three cities that have populations exceeding 100,000. The most populous city is the capital, Columbia, which has a population of 133,803 per 2017 estimates. Charleston follows closely behind with 132,609 inhabitants. The third city, North Charleston, has a population of 108,304. The state has 35 cities with populations of at least 10,000.
Incorporated municipalities in South Carolina are designated as cities or towns, and there is a total of 269 across 46 counties. There is no legal difference between cities and towns in this state. The smallest incorporated area is Smyrna located in the counties of Cherokee and York, and has just 45 inhabitants and is classified as a town. The smallest classified city in South Carolina is Chesnee and Cherokee and Spartanburg Counties. This city has a population of just 838 residents.