Moving to South Carolina
South Carolina, otherwise known as ‘The Palmetto State’, is a fabulous state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to SC, we have composed a comprehensive list of some important facts and useful information to help make your move an easy transition.
As one of the original 13 colonies, South Carolina was admitted to the union on February 5, 1778. Since then, SC has grown in to a booming place to live. Rich in colonial history, South Carolina offers many landmarks that will satisfy any history buff.
Geography
Located in the South Atlantic Region of the country, South Carolina is bordered by Georgia and North Carolina. With a total land area of over 32,020.20 Square Miles, it comes in as the 10th smallest state.
Population
Currently, the population of SC is 4,961,119 making it the 23rd most populated state in the union and the 22nd most densely populated. The state capital, Columbia, has a population of 116331. which is the 20th smallest capital in the country.
Other Populous South Carolina Cities are:
| US Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 198 | Charleston | 134,385 |
| 199 | Columbia | 134,309 |
| 272 | North Charleston | 109,298 |
Notable South Carolinians
South Carolina is home to several famous and some infamous citizens such as, Whispering Bill Anderson a memorable songwriter is from Columbia and Bernard Baruch a prominent statesman is from Camden. Others include people like Mary McLeod Bethune a educator and James Godfather Brown a singer .
Climate
South Carolina’s geographic position at subtropical latitudes and along the southeastern coast of the North American continent adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean gives it a humid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The Appalachian Mountains to the north and west tend to partially shield the state from cold air masses approaching from the northwest, making for somewhat milder winters than locations to the west of the mountains. However, these mountains are not high enough to fully block these air masses and occasional periods of very cold conditions do occur. Clockwise circulation of air around a semi-permanent high pressure system in the North Atlantic Ocean (the “Bermuda High”) provides a persistent flow of warm, moist from the Atlantic during the warmer half of the year. The annual average temperature varies across the state from the mid-50s (°F) in the mountains to the mid-60s (°F) along the coast. During January, average temperatures range from 40°F in the north to around 47°F in the Lowcountry. Similar northwest to southeast temperature gradients also occur in the summer, with average temperatures in July ranging from 76°F in the north, to 82°F in the Midlands and coastal Lowcountry.
National Parks
South Carolina is home to 1 beautiful national park.
- Congaree
On the Congaree River, this park is the largest portion of old-growth floodplain forest left in North America. Some of the trees are the tallest in the eastern United States. An elevated walkway called the Boardwalk Loop guides visitors through the swamp.
Crime Statistics
Safety and security should always be an important factor when relocating to a new location. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the security of its resident, it highly affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, South Carolina’s violent crime rate is 49 per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 346per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 248.7.
South Carolina ranks #8 in the US for violent crime and #4 for property crime.
Schools & Education
Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank South Carolina’s educational system.
Overall Grade: C-
South Carolina spends on average $10909.00 per pupil, which is less than the national average ($11,900). SC ranks #36 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While SC ranks #36 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 80.30%%.
Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. South Carolina ranks #27 with over 44.20% of children attending a early educational program.
Taxes
The current income tax rate for South Carolina is 7.00% which ranks 36th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. SC’s rate is $30.22 which ranks 31st in the US.
Currently, SC sales tax is $21.72 for which it comes in as 20th compared to other states.
Sports
Unfortunately South Carolina does’nt have any major league teams.
Utility Companies
Before you move to South Carolina, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in SC.
Other Resources
For more information about moving to South Carolina, visit their website at http://www.sc.gov