Census: SC growth clustered along coast, suburbs near Charlotte

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolinians are gravitating toward the state’s coastline and the suburbs south of Charlotte, North Carolina, detailed Census figures released Thursday show.

Since 2010, the state has grown by nearly 500,000 people to a total population of 5.1 million in 2020, though it wasn’t enough to add another U.S. House seat. Still, the 10.7% increase makes South Carolina the 10th fastest-growing state as it rises above Alabama to become the 23rd most populous state in the U.S.

[Unusual fish with human-like teeth caught off North Carolina coast]

The most concentrated growth took place in Horry County, home of tourist-friendly Myrtle Beach, where the population shot up 30.4% to more than 350,000 residents. Further south on the coast, Berkeley County followed with a 29.2% increase in people.

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Another population boom occurred in York and Lancaster counties, just south of Charlotte. York County added 56,017 people, and Lancaster drew 19,364 new residents.

(WATCH BELOW: South Carolina says its schools can’t follow CDC mask advice)