Folks are moving to SC from these 10 states the most, 2024 Census data shows
The South Carolina population expanded in 2023 in part because of migration from other states, new U.S. Census data shows.
However, which states lost the most residents to the Palmetto State?
According to the recent Census data, South Carolina gained 203,674 people from other states in 2023, year-over-year.
Of those new residents, 28,109 came from North Carolina — the most from a single state. It was considerably more than the second-highest state, Georgia, with 17,378 people.
The new Census data also shows that South Carolina got an influx of 26,113 new residents in 2023 who lived outside the U.S. the previous year.
10 states SC gained the most folks from in 2023
- North Carolina: 28,109
- Georgia: 17,378
- Florida: 16,206
- Pennsylvania: 13,419
- New York: 12,224
- Virginia: 10,020
- New Jersey: 9,772
- Maryland: 8,853
- Texas: 7,228
- California: 7,108
A 2024 study by United Van Lines found that the number one reason (26.80%) people moved to South Carolina in 2023 was for retirement. Another 21.90% moved to the Palmetto State to be closer to family, while 18% moved for a lifestyle change. The fourth top reason was for jobs at 13.10%.
United Van Lines notes that percentages pertaining to demographic data may not always total 100% due to respondents having the ability to opt out of answering survey questions and/or to select more than one survey response per question.
The study also shows that 46.60% of the people who moved to South Carolina in 2023 had a incomes of $150,000 or more. Another 22.80% had incomes of $100,000 to $149,999.
Full Census breakdown
Below is a breakdown of the migration of new residents to South Carolina from every state and the District of Columbia in 2023.
- Alabama: 3,432
- Alaska: 842
- Arizona: 2,578
- Arkansas: 1,633
- California: 7,108
- Colorado: 3,444
- Connecticut: 2,047
- Delaware: 1,103
- District of Columbia: 225
- Florida: 16,206
- Georgia: 17,378
- Hawaii: 133
- Idaho: 1,696
- Illinois: 6,046
- Indiana: 2,228
- Iowa: 192
- Kansas: 171
- Kentucky: 1,704
- Louisiana: 686
- Maine: 1,633
- Maryland: 8,853
- Massachusetts: 5,444
- Michigan: 4,808
- Minnesota: 1,725
- Mississippi: 662
- Missouri: 1,929
- Montana: 403
- Nebraska: 892
- Nevada: 1,882
- New Hampshire: 1,894
- New Jersey: 9,772
- New Mexico: 1,144
- New York: 12,224
- North Carolina: 28,109
- North Dakota: 69
- Ohio: 5,710
- Oklahoma: 359
- Oregon: 862
- Pennsylvania: 13,419
- Rhode Island: 713
- South Dakota: 646
- Tennessee: 5,304
- Texas: 7,228
- Utah: 2,894
- Vermont: 0
- Virginia: 10,020
- Washington: 2,125
- West Virginia: 1,825
- Wisconsin: 1,712
- Wyoming: 536
