South Carolina Cities by Population 2025

473 cities

City
Rank
2025 Pop.
2024 Pop.
Annual Change
Density
Area (mi²)
Type
Charleston1158,367156,8680.96%1,376115 City
Columbia2146,563144,4891.44%1,060138 City
North Charleston3125,414123,4411.6%1,61578 City
Mount Pleasant497,90396,5671.38%1,97250 Town
Rock Hill576,28975,9710.42%1,72144 City
Greenville673,96473,3940.78%2,45930 City
Summerville752,40652,1450.5%2,32423 Town
Goose Creek851,24850,2481.99%1,20742 City
Greer950,11347,2506.06%2,13523 City
Sumter1042,33042,548-0.51%1,28233 City
Myrtle Beach1142,17940,9383.03%1,80223 City
Florence1240,95040,7790.42%1,67224 City
Bluffton1339,84637,5446.13%76452 Town
Spartanburg1439,32839,1840.37%1,94220 City
Fort Mill1539,25136,4387.72%1,99120 Town
Hilton Head Island1638,43738,2670.44%92941 Town
Aiken1733,48533,2160.81%1,54722 City
Carolina Forest1831,02928,9607.14%1,84517 CDP
Anderson1930,31630,1480.56%1,89416 City
Mauldin2030,16629,0883.71%2,43512 City
Simpsonville2130,10928,8074.52%3,1819 City
Conway2229,89128,9383.29%1,21125 City
Easley2328,62027,5034.06%2,17613 City
North Augusta2426,82726,3591.78%1,26021 City
Lexington2525,76625,3431.67%2,15312 Town
Socastee2625,59225,2161.49%1,91513 CDP
Taylors2723,35223,2360.5%2,21111 CDP
Hanahan2822,57822,1871.76%2,13611 City
Greenwood2922,45622,477-0.09%1,34617 City
St. Andrews3022,26322,1450.53%3,6246 CDP
North Myrtle Beach3121,23120,7672.23%96522 City
Wade Hampton3221,13121,0970.16%2,3799 CDP
Five Forks3319,70519,3341.92%2,6038 CDP
West Columbia3418,84718,5811.43%2,0119 City
Moncks Corner3518,74317,6826%1,63811 Town
Clemson3617,89417,8660.16%2,2628 City
Port Royal3717,47616,8813.52%1,03017 Town
Dentsville3816,98316,7881.16%2,5387 CDP
Berea3916,65616,4990.95%2,1648 CDP
Red Hill4016,17615,9791.23%1,47211 CDP
Seven Oaks4115,99715,9400.36%2,0918 CDP
Lake Wylie4215,76715,3063.01%1,9998 CDP
Ladson4315,67515,5490.81%2,2297 CDP
Tega Cay4414,81214,4342.62%3,2225 City
Fountain Inn4514,70213,8646.04%1,7099 City
Hardeeville4614,67913,28810.47%25957 City
Gantt4714,28814,2840.03%1,46010 CDP
Beaufort4814,02013,9350.61%57424 City
Cayce4913,59413,627-0.24%80517 City
Orangeburg5013,35313,3160.28%1,4829 City
Powdersville5113,34812,4587.14%97014 CDP
Parker5212,72512,6380.69%1,8617 CDP
Irmo5312,31512,1741.16%1,7537 Town
Gaffney5412,31212,398-0.69%1,3739 City
James Island5512,06611,9840.68%2,5435 Town
Boiling Springs5611,93411,6862.12%1,7467 CDP
Oak Grove5711,65811,5670.79%1,5388 CDP
Garden City5811,30411,1641.25%2,1155 CDP
Litchfield Beach5911,13510,3937.14%99211 CDP
Newberry6010,98510,9250.55%1,2229 City
Murrells Inlet6110,98410,7552.13%1,5027 CDP
Red Bank6210,77610,6980.73%86013 CDP
Forest Acres6310,23910,307-0.66%2,2145 City
Little River6410,0299,9580.71%95710 CDP
Lugoff659,9209,7541.7%43623 CDP
York669,5539,3532.14%1,1278 City
Woodfield679,5079,4930.15%3,4913 CDP
Lancaster689,4899,2962.08%1,3347 City
Travelers Rest699,3719,0603.43%1,5026 City
Laurens709,2389,263-0.27%90510 City
Seneca719,1679,1050.68%1,1128 City
White Knoll728,9818,3827.15%1,4686 CDP
Georgetown738,9268,8201.2%1,2777 City
Camden748,8488,6392.42%79711 City
Sangaree758,7958,7570.43%4,3302 CDP
Forestbrook768,1147,8812.96%2,2114 CDP
Sans Souci778,0858,0710.17%2,4423 CDP
Clover787,8257,6082.85%1,6555 Town
Clemson University797,7717,2537.14%3,6712 CDP
Clinton807,7707,7420.36%74410 City
Burton817,7607,7080.67%9298 CDP
Homeland Park827,7407,6441.26%1,6445 CDP
Union837,7057,793-1.13%9648 City
Hartsville847,3787,388-0.14%1,2326 City
Centerville857,3757,3220.72%1,2496 CDP
Valley Falls867,3057,2380.93%1,4085 CDP
Welcome877,2747,2340.55%1,5775 CDP
Lake Murray Richland887,2727,1521.68%1,3116 CDP
Blythewood897,2026,7346.95%67811 Town
Lyman907,0446,8762.44%1,0637 Town
Bennettsville916,3126,426-1.77%1,0226 City
Dillon926,1726,239-1.07%1,1565 City
Marion936,0476,121-1.21%1,3514 City
Darlington945,9676,012-0.75%1,2665 City
Lake City955,9115,936-0.42%1,0855 City
Belvedere965,7845,785-0.02%1,6903 CDP
Piedmont975,6125,5780.61%6539 CDP
Hollywood985,5435,4940.89%23624 Town
Baxter Village995,5245,1567.14%3,8851 CDP
Walterboro1005,4545,464-0.18%7977 City
Laurel Bay1015,4185,450-0.59%1,3014 CDP
Central1025,3585,3400.34%1,6483 Town
Batesburg-Leesville1035,3215,3090.23%6498 Town
Chester1045,1965,211-0.29%1,5723 City
Cheraw1054,9724,983-0.22%8356 Town
Abbeville1064,8634,8630%7826 City
Woodruff1074,7974,6832.43%9455 City
Wyboo1084,7324,4177.13%31615 CDP
Duncan1094,6754,5532.68%7466 Town
Whitney1104,6684,3567.16%1,5303 CDP
India Hook1114,6494,5611.93%1,7643 CDP
Belton1124,6234,5671.23%1,2104 City
Barnwell1134,5314,554-0.51%5788 City
East Camden1144,4804,1817.15%1,2514 CDP
Surfside Beach1154,4294,3751.23%2,2742 Town
Isle Palms1164,3844,3770.16%9884 City
Capitol View1174,3644,0737.14%2,7002 CDP
Saxon1184,3584,2961.44%1,8302 CDP
Williamston1194,3294,2741.29%1,1734 Town
Walhalla1204,2774,2380.92%1,1014 City
Newport1214,2484,2410.17%5288 CDP
Roebuck1224,2464,1103.31%9894 CDP
Edgefield1234,1454,0981.15%9574 Town
Hilltop1244,0663,7957.14%2,2282 CDP
Northlake1254,0504,0300.5%9794 CDP
Honea Path1263,9533,9001.36%1,1254 Town
Southern Shops1273,8783,8710.18%1,0884 CDP
Brookdale1283,8683,935-1.7%1,0624 CDP
Keowee Key1293,8243,5697.14%1,1033 CDP
Wellford1303,8093,7182.45%8325 City
Mullins1313,8033,844-1.07%1,2593 City
Manning1323,7623,782-0.53%1,2823 City
Pendleton1333,7623,7091.43%7675 Town
Arthurtown1343,7593,5087.16%2,0202 CDP
Ridgeland1353,7533,7510.05%7848 Town
Dalzell1363,5073,4770.86%6006 CDP
Golden Grove1373,4863,4181.99%6046 CDP
Inman1383,4103,3292.43%1,9442 City
Pickens1393,3853,388-0.09%1,1073 City
Dunean1403,3663,386-0.59%2,1472 CDP
Burnettown1413,2773,2331.36%5956 Town
Liberty1423,2703,289-0.58%6745 City
North Hartsville1433,2643,2630.03%7215 CDP
Arkwright1443,2363,0207.15%1,2523 CDP
Winnsboro1453,1963,230-1.05%8744 Town
Gloverville1463,1663,1440.7%8734 CDP
Clearwater1473,1613,242-2.5%7544 CDP
Lakewood1483,1613,1520.29%4208 CDP
Lesslie1493,1143,1140%5146 CDP
Denmark1503,0553,077-0.71%7824 City
Saluda1513,0383,053-0.49%9353 Town
Kingstree1522,9663,019-1.76%9333 Town
Elgin1532,9512,9280.79%6075 CDP
East Gaffney1542,9442,953-0.3%9743 CDP
Loris1552,9382,8433.34%6455 City
Bamberg1562,9322,958-0.88%8204 Town
Cherryvale1572,9302,9011%1,6202 CDP
Arcadia1582,8992,8810.62%1,4792 CDP
Williston1592,8412,851-0.35%3179 Town
Landrum1602,8342,7652.5%1,0713 City
Pimlico1612,7902,6047.14%4,0671 CDP
Bishopville1622,7742,818-1.56%1,1872 City
Springdale1632,7072,713-0.22%1,0013 Town
Ben Avon1642,7012,5217.14%1,6162 CDP
Ravenel1652,7012,6711.12%20513 Town
Pacolet1662,6032,5402.48%4506 Town
Springdale1672,5822,5810.04%6114 CDP
Hampton1682,5472,578-1.2%5645 Town
Pageland1692,5242,5140.4%5205 Town
Andrews1702,5172,531-0.55%1,1392 Town
Westminster1712,4532,4330.82%7123 City
Graniteville1722,4282,440-0.49%7343 CDP
South Congaree1732,3922,3880.17%7273 Town
New Ellenton1742,3912,3561.49%5394 Town
Pine Ridge1752,3682,3301.63%5045 Town
Allendale1762,3622,426-2.64%7143 Town
Riverview1772,3422,2324.93%1,8771 CDP
Tigerville1782,3242,2572.97%1,7491 CDP
Cowpens1792,2982,2442.41%1,0012 Town
Johnston1802,2242,1792.07%8493 Town
Slater-Marietta1812,2052,2030.09%5124 CDP
Wedgefield1822,1592,1221.74%2549 CDP
Privateer1832,1522,165-0.6%2638 CDP
Seabrook Island1842,1352,1190.76%3606 Town
Camp Croft1852,1161,9757.14%7993 CDP
Watts Mills1862,1082,0761.54%9292 CDP
Timmonsville1872,1072,1060.05%7593 Town
Folly Beach1882,0852,0840.05%16713 City
Ninety Six1892,0522,056-0.19%1,1262 Town
Kershaw1902,0411,9733.45%1,0992 Town
Mayo1912,0081,9801.41%6603 CDP
Eureka Mill1921,9921,9581.74%1,5831 CDP
Irwin1931,9841,9452.01%6653 CDP
McCormick1941,9832,030-2.32%4894 Town
Chapin1951,9681,9381.55%9942 Town
Kiawah Island1961,9491,962-0.66%17411 Town
Shell Point1971,9491,974-1.27%4864 CDP
McColl1981,9431,968-1.27%1,8501 Town
Sullivan's Island1991,9381,9300.41%7762 Town
Blacksburg2001,9291,9200.47%1,0312 Town
Great Falls2011,9131,920-0.36%4514 Town
Blackville2021,8941,900-0.32%2129 Town
Reidville2031,8781,8312.57%1,0662 Town
Langley2041,8581,8311.47%1,6361 CDP
Judson2051,8361,850-0.76%2,3361 CDP
St. George2061,8311,832-0.05%6433 Town
Stateburg2071,8291,7991.67%3935 CDP
St. Matthews2081,8171,822-0.27%9452 Town
City View2091,7841,7541.71%4,5980 CDP
Wilkinson Heights2101,7761,823-2.58%5943 CDP
Monarch Mill2111,7551,758-0.17%3136 CDP
Edisto2121,7401,795-3.06%3305 CDP
Estill2131,7361,751-0.86%5373 Town
Calhoun Falls2141,7341,7320.12%5123 Town
Ware Shoals2151,7021,7020%5193 Town
Beech Island2161,7011,5887.12%3465 CDP
Utica2171,6951,6820.77%1,4971 CDP
Jackson2181,6551,6291.6%4704 Town
Elgin2191,6541,6490.3%1,5291 Town
Gaston2201,6461,6390.43%3105 Town
Cane Savannah2211,6381,6042.12%4514 CDP
Winnsboro Mills2221,6281,646-1.09%6632 CDP
Homewood2231,6121,5057.11%7942 CDP
Fairforest2241,6091,615-0.37%7692 CDP
Varnville2251,5901,606-1%4154 Town
St. Stephen2261,5731,5730%6073 Town
Arial2271,5521,618-4.08%3405 CDP
Olympia2281,5331,4307.2%2,1441 CDP
Conestee2291,5151,4147.14%1,4291 CDP
Ridgeville2301,4981,563-4.16%8342 Town
Murphys Estates2311,4861,4830.2%7242 CDP
Awendaw2321,4791,4650.96%8517 Town
Catawba2331,4631,4550.55%14710 CDP
Meggett2341,4551,4430.83%8018 Town
Hopkins2351,4521,547-6.14%8817 CDP
Whitmire2361,4441,4340.7%1,1551 Town
Pelzer2371,4411,4221.34%1,5771 Town
Edmund2381,4361,3407.16%2107 CDP
Bonneau Beach2391,3931,428-2.45%5942 CDP
Joanna2401,3731,384-0.79%4383 CDP
Chesterfield2411,3671,3640.22%3354 Town
Johnsonville2421,3601,364-0.29%6432 City
Seabrook2431,3591,2687.18%2476 CDP
South Sumter2441,3521,423-4.99%5792 CDP
Dunbar2451,3241,2367.12%1,3021 CDP
Fairfax2461,3151,349-2.52%3973 Town
Gadsden2471,3081,330-1.65%11412 CDP
Lake Secession2481,2871,2731.1%2226 CDP
Drayton2491,2641,1807.12%9021 CDP
La France2501,2391,1567.18%9561 CDP
Prosperity2511,2361,2240.98%6272 Town
Holly Hill2521,2291,240-0.89%9401 Town
Latta2531,2251,238-1.05%1,1181 Town
Cateechee2541,2161,1357.14%2,3801 CDP
Due West2551,2161,2160%7442 Town
Lincolnville2561,2091,1980.92%1,0071 Town
Iva2571,2031,1881.26%1,1751 Town
Dale2581,1961,1167.17%5042 CDP
Dovesville2591,1851,1067.14%1697 CDP
Buffalo2601,1321,141-0.79%2814 CDP
Gayle Mill2611,1241,1101.26%1,7161 CDP
Aynor2621,0971,0742.14%6092 Town
Sandy Springs2631,0911,0187.17%3803 CDP
Yemassee2641,0731,077-0.37%9811 Town
Clifton2651,0671,0323.39%9941 CDP
Van Wyck2661,0661,0283.7%10310 Town
Edisto Beach2671,0621,0550.66%4992 Town
The Cliffs Valley2681,0529827.13%1636 CDP
Pamplico2691,0501,052-0.19%6482 Town
West Pelzer2701,0341,0201.37%1,7181 Town
Fort Lawn2719789750.31%7021 Town
Newtown2729618977.13%1,8341 CDP
Branchville273960965-0.52%3033 Town
Fripp Island2749598957.15%2943 CDP
Hamer2759508877.1%1885 CDP
Chesnee2769499272.37%8861 City
Inman Mills277932940-0.85%8641 CDP
Pinopolis278929930-0.11%6491 CDP
Quinby279899902-0.33%6881 Town
Oakland280889912-2.52%1,3071 CDP
Heath Springs2818878593.26%5462 Town
DeBordieu Colony2828708127.14%2114 CDP
Arcadia Lakes283846850-0.47%1,5191 Town
Lamar284834838-0.48%6881 Town
Manville2858237687.16%3033 CDP
Jonesville286802811-1.11%7901 Town
Pine Ridge2878007477.1%3532 CDP
Santee288799805-0.75%3193 Town
McBee2897987920.76%6071 Town
Unity2907917387.18%3742 CDP
Jefferson2917877840.38%4372 Town
Gray Court2927827790.39%4132 Town
Swansea2937827711.43%3752 Town
Campobello2947767572.51%2793 Town
Summerton295774781-0.9%5721 Town
Bowman296755760-0.66%6411 Town
Chickasaw Point2977547047.1%3452 CDP
Coward2987537520.13%2134 Town
Six Mile299751752-0.13%3682 Town
Lake View300750757-0.92%4402 Town
Harleyville3017497332.18%7051 Town
Norris3027477470%3962 Town
Turbeville303736741-0.67%5491 Town
Fairview Crossroads3047356867.14%1296 CDP
Centenary3057316827.18%7741 CDP
Cottageville3067177140.42%2103 Town
Bucksport307711722-1.52%1694 CDP
Daufuskie Island3087116647.08%7210 CDP
Elliott3096986517.22%3762 CDP
Modoc3106986664.8%1754 CDP
Wagener3116986871.6%5141 Town
Warrenville312674712-5.34%6221 CDP
North313666671-0.75%7711 Town
Little Rock3146566127.19%2672 CDP
Scranton3156566550.15%8281 Town
Buford3166546107.21%2872 CDP
East Sumter317651697-6.6%1963 CDP
Finklea3186496067.1%2413 CDP
Gilbert3196326211.77%2333 Town
McClellanville3206266220.64%2812 Town
Eastover3216236220.16%5131 Town
Pelion322623624-0.16%1694 Town
Helena3236055657.08%4271 CDP
Wallace324605624-3.04%927 CDP
Danwood3255885487.3%3102 CDP
North Santee3265885487.3%659 CDP
Briarcliffe Acres3275855653.54%9201 Town
Ridge Spring3285855830.34%3212 Town
Clio329567574-1.22%6621 Town
Adams Run3305595227.09%3981 CDP
Sheldon3315495127.23%1264 CDP
Fair Play332546555-1.62%817 CDP
Mayesville333539541-0.37%5261 Town
Elloree334538544-1.1%5061 Town
Olanta335538540-0.37%5411 Town
Grover3365244897.16%2033 CDP
Cash3375214867.2%3422 CDP
Pinewood338496497-0.2%4631 Town
South Union3394794477.16%1843 CDP
Startex340476502-5.18%4301 CDP
Sharon3414694670.43%3581 Town
Hickory Grove3424684650.65%2802 Town
Summit3434674581.97%3141 Town
Atlantic Beach34445840612.81%2,8270 Town
Hemingway345453462-1.95%5241 Town
Lane346442448-1.34%1124 Town
Oswego3474404117.06%3651 CDP
Bonneau3484384360.46%1453 Town
Ehrhardt349434438-0.91%1393 Town
Society Hill350426428-0.47%1982 Town
Springfield351426430-0.93%2452 Town
Hilda3524234220.24%1383 Town
Mount Carmel3534204063.45%469 CDP
Cross Hill3544194160.72%1323 Town
Cokesbury3554164033.23%7001 CDP
Brunson356408412-0.97%4011 Town
Gillisonville3573993727.26%3381 CDP
West Union3583923881.03%4941 Town
Enoree359385404-4.7%2492 CDP
Newry3603833693.79%1,2980 CDP
Alcolu361374378-1.06%825 CDP
Cameron362368369-0.27%1183 Town
Lockhart363362366-1.09%1,1870 Town
Salley3643583531.42%4671 Town
Greeleyville365352358-1.68%2881 Town
Harbor Island3663463237.12%3371 CDP
Bethune3673413361.49%3091 Town
Ruby3683243220.62%1312 Town
Antreville3693233104.19%834 CDP
Donalds3703223220%3871 Town
Carlisle371312313-0.32%2201 Town
Neeses372309311-0.64%1812 Town
Daviston3733082877.32%2391 CDP
Lynchburg374299303-1.32%2641 Town
McConnells3752922900.69%863 Town
Promised Land376290304-4.61%1862 CDP
Patrick3772862831.06%2981 Town
Pauline3782862677.12%2001 CDP
Dacusville3792722547.09%1242 CDP
Norway380271273-0.73%3421 Town
Richburg381270272-0.74%3081 Town
Little Mountain3822622600.77%1722 Town
Wisacky3832562397.11%466 CDP
Snelling3842502500%624 Town
Ridgeway385249252-1.19%5130 Town
Gifford386246248-0.81%2541 Town
Lobeco3872452296.99%933 CDP
Rowesville388243244-0.41%2911 Town
Rembert389242246-1.63%634 CDP
Glendale390241245-1.63%1,1370 CDP
Central Pacolet3912402342.56%1,0170 Town
Glenn Springs3922342187.34%1062 CDP
Eutawville393233234-0.43%2451 Town
Russellville394228245-6.94%614 CDP
Paxville395227228-0.44%2161 Town
Furman396220221-0.45%713 Town
Jacksonboro397218235-7.23%1514 CDP
Nichols398218220-0.91%1631 Town
Trenton3992162121.89%1671 Town
Perry4002142101.9%2231 Town
Monetta4012082060.97%3011 Town
Olar402205206-0.49%2611 Town
Reevesville403190192-1.04%1182 Town
Shiloh404190192-1.04%1910 CDP
Stuckey405190191-0.52%2031 Town
Lowrys406181182-0.55%573 Town
Starr4071771741.72%1181 Town
Floydale4081741627.41%862 CDP
Silverstreet4091691671.2%503 Town
Foreston4101661557.1%732 CDP
Hodges4111641630.61%2101 Town
Bradley412161162-0.62%208 CDP
Waterloo4131561550.65%872 Town
Scotia414153154-0.65%483 Town
Woodford415152153-0.65%1941 Town
Converse416149180-17.22%2161 CDP
Kline4171441440%463 Town
Sellers418144145-0.69%2151 Town
Mountville4191421401.43%503 CDP
Elko4201411410%1341 Town
Rockville4211391380.72%3280 Town
Pawleys Island4221371360.74%1951 Town
Mount Croghan4231331330%1751 Town
Sycamore424132136-2.94%423 Town
Parksville4251311291.55%1801 Town
Pomaria4261311300.77%1251 Town
Cordova427129131-1.53%2960 Town
Zion4281281197.56%3610 CDP
Livingston429126127-0.79%1601 Town
Salem4301251240.81%1371 Town
Windsor4311241221.64%1421 Town
Lowndesville4321231230%1591 Town
Lydia433123158-22.15%473 CDP
Rains4341231147.89%921 CDP
Vance435122123-0.81%2411 Town
Ward4361201200%1551 Town
Browntown4371121056.67%462 CDP
Boykin4381111100.91%167 CDP
Blenheim439107108-0.93%1641 Town
Tamassee440102966.25%881 CDP
Gramling44199927.61%991 CDP
Mulberry44298126-22.22%502 CDP
Princeton44398917.69%1261 CDP
Smoaks44497970%602 Town
Williams44595950%1121 Town
St. Charles44694886.82%224 CDP
Luray4479394-1.06%901 Town
Fingerville4489093-3.23%3690 CDP
Troy44988871.15%1101 Town
Plum Branch45084831.2%1141 Town
Tradesville45184787.69%422 CDP
Lodge45281810%263 Town
Ashwood45379746.76%224 CDP
Green Sea45479746.76%452 CDP
Jamestown45571710%1171 Town
Tatum4566970-1.43%761 Town
Willington4576470-8.57%116 CDP
Ware Place4586374-14.86%691 CDP
Smyrna45957570%811 Town
Peak46056551.82%1630 Town
Ulmer4615557-3.51%203 Town
Caesars Head46252496.12%351 CDP
Govan4635051-1.96%661 Town
Islandton46450476.38%183 CDP
Jenkinsville46539390%4380 Town
Cherokee Falls46638358.57%3330 CDP
Longcreek46736345.88%192 CDP
Cope46831310%1240 Town
Abney Crossroads46926248.33%570 CDP
Coosawhatchie47013128.33%221 CDP
Live Oak471111010%131 CDP
Ketchuptown472660%23 CDP
Clarks Hill473228-92.86%13 CDP
SC State Flag

About South Carolina

South Carolina’s municipal structure features 46 counties and over 270 incorporated municipalities, including cities and towns. Counties provide services to rural and unincorporated areas, while municipalities handle localized services and governance within their boundaries.

Charleston, South Carolina’s largest city, operates under a mayor-council government, where the mayor serves as the chief executive and the city council acts as the legislative body. Charleston manages a full range of services, including public safety, infrastructure, and economic development, while the mayor holds significant influence over policy implementation.

Columbia, the state capital, also follows a mayor-council structure, with a strong emphasis on legislative oversight by the city council. The mayor, as the executive leader, directs city services and ensures compliance with council policies, providing checks and balances within municipal governance.

Smaller cities, such as Greenville and Spartanburg, often use either mayor-council or council-manager systems. Council-manager structures, where a professional manager handles daily operations, offer streamlined administration and emphasize professional governance.

Counties like Richland County and Greenville County manage services for unincorporated areas, including law enforcement, public health, and infrastructure maintenance. County councils, consisting of elected representatives, govern these services, ensuring support across both urban and rural regions.

Unincorporated areas in South Carolina rely on county services, with residents often engaging through local advisory boards to address community-specific concerns. Counties handle essential services such as emergency management, zoning, and transportation in these regions.

Councils of government promote cooperation between South Carolina’s municipalities and counties, focusing on regional planning, economic development, and infrastructure projects that cross local boundaries.

Biggest City

Charleston is the biggest city in South Carolina, with a population of 158,367 in 2025.

Fastest Growing City

Atlantic Beach is the fastest growing city in South Carolina over the past 5 years, having grown 12.81% annually since 2020.