Here are the 10 SC counties with the most people in 2026. See if your county ranks
People are moving to South Carolina like there’s no tomorrow.
Because of lower costs of living, affordable housing and a tax-friendly environment for retirees, SC is experiencing a huge migration of individuals.
SC recorded the fastest population growth in the nation in 2025, according to the SC Department of Employment and Workforce. Between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, SC’s population grew at a rate of 1.5%, which was faster than any other state in the country.
Some counties are seeing an even greater percentage of growth.
The World Population Review, a worldwide population tracker, estimates how many people are in a county by using statistical models and trend analyses based on recent census data and projections, and birth and death rate models.
Here are the counties the WPR believes are the most populated in 2026:
Estimated 10 most populous counties in SC
#1 Greenville County
- 2026 population: 592,843
- Percent change since 2020: 12.44%
- Annual population growth: 11,000
Greenville has remained SC’s most populous county since the 2020 U.S. Census.
#2 Horry County
- 2026 population: 443,425
- Percent change since 2020: 25.34%
- Annual population growth: 15,000
Based on WPR’s numbers, Horry County was ranked the 4th most populous SC county last year.
#3 Richland County
- 2026 population: 441,481
- Percent change since 2020: 6.20%
- Annual population growth: 5,400
Richland County remained the 3rd most populous county in SC this year.
#4 Charleston County
- 2026 population: 441,393
- Percent change since 2020: 7.67%
- Annual population growth: 5,200
Charleston County was the 2nd most populous county last year, but Horry County and Richland County surpassed its population.
#5 Spartanburg County
- 2026 population: 390,388
- Percent change since 2020: 18.51%
- Annual population growth: 10,600
Spartanburg County didn’t see a change in its ranking.
#6 Lexington County
- 2026 population: 321,568
- Percent change since 2020: 9.01%
- Annual population growth: 3,900
Lexington County didn’t see a change in its ranking.
#7 York County
- 2026 population: 312,253
- Percent change since 2020: 10%
- Annual population growth: 4,600
York County didn’t see a change in its ranking.
#8 Berkeley County
- 2026 population: 280,582
- Percent change since 2020: 21.2%
- Annual population growth: 8,200
Berkeley County didn’t see a change in its ranking.
#9 Anderson County
- 2026 population: 223,553
- Percent change since 2020: 9.48%
- Annual population growth: 3,200
Anderson County didn’t see a change in its ranking.
#10 Beaufort County
- 2026 population: 207,403
- Percent change since 2020: 10.42%
- Annual population growth: 2,800
Beaufort County didn’t see a change in its ranking.