2024
Democratic
Kamala Harris40.36%
Republican
Donald Trump58.23%
Two-party margin
R+17.9
State hub
South Carolina State Hub
U.S. Senate and House delegation, state governor, Census demographic snapshot (income, poverty, diversity, tax burden rank), presidential voting history, and links to live coverage, notable races, and the national map.
Key links for South Carolina
Census demographic snapshot
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2022 5-year (B01003, B19013, B01001, B03003, B03002; DP03 selected social characteristics); change vs ACS 2017 5-year population (B01003).
Population
5,142,750
Rank 23 of 51 · 1 = largest population
ACS 5-year total
Population density
171.1 people/sq mi
Rank 20 of 51 · 1 = densest
ACS population ÷ Census land area (square miles)
Pop. change (17→22)
+5.1%
Rank 11 of 51 · 1 = fastest growth
ACS total population comparison
Female / male
51.2% / 48.8%
Share of total population
Median household income
$63,623
Rank 43 of 51 · 1 = highest median income
Below poverty
14.4%
Rank 42 of 51 · 1 = lowest poverty rate
ACS profile, all people
Hispanic or Latino
6.2%
Any race
White (NH)
63%
Not Hispanic or Latino
Black (NH)
25.6%
Asian (NH)
1.7%
AIAN (NH)
0.2%
American Indian & Alaska Native alone
Two+ races (NH)
2.9%
Census metric ranks compare all jurisdictions in this snapshot (typically 50 states plus D.C.). Race and ethnicity categories follow Census definitions (e.g., Hispanic origin is asked separately from race). Percentages are shares of total population and may not sum to 100% because of rounding or other groups. State–local tax burden is not a Census figure; see the Tax Foundation link below for 50-state + D.C. rankings (1 = lowest aggregate burden).
Why this state votes this way
Demographics and long-run trends that commonly shape coverage and turnout narratives.
South Carolina's Census profile summarizes population scale, sex composition, race and Hispanic origin, and household income—baseline conditions analysts pair with polling and election returns when they discuss coalitions and regional turnout.
What often shows up in coverage
- Solid population growth (near 5.1% over 2017–2022) usually enlarges the universe of persuadable and newly registered voters, especially around expanding metros.
- A substantial Black population share (25.6% non-Hispanic Black alone) surfaces often in analyses of urban turnout, voting access, and racial-justice-aligned policy debate.
- A double-digit poverty rate (14.4%) highlights inequality and service-delivery pressures that often shape platform contrast and local organizing narratives.
- Demographic profile at a glance: White, non-Hispanic residents are about 63% of the population in this ACS snapshot, a baseline often used to frame coalition math and statewide messaging priorities.
These indicators are descriptive context for understanding electoral environments—they do not predict vote shares, winners, or partisan realignment.
Presidential voting history
How South Carolina has voted in two-party presidential general elections on this site: Democratic and Republican nominees with vote shares, and approximate two-party margin (who carried the state follows from the margin).
Context & notes
Southern state that votes Republican in presidential elections, with a growing Democratic coalition in metro and suburban areas.
- Black voters and the Charleston–Columbia–Greenville triangle are central to coverage of trends.
Results by year
2020
Democratic
Joe Biden43.42%
Republican
Donald Trump55.09%
Two-party margin
R+11.7
2016
Democratic
Hillary Clinton40.67%
Republican
Donald Trump54.94%
Two-party margin
R+14.3
2012
Democratic
Barack Obama44.09%
Republican
Mitt Romney54.56%
Two-party margin
R+10.5
2008
Democratic
Barack Obama44.90%
Republican
John McCain53.87%
Two-party margin
R+9.0
2004
Democratic
John Kerry40.90%
Republican
George W. Bush57.98%
Two-party margin
R+17.1
2000
Democratic
Al Gore40.90%
Republican
George W. Bush56.86%
Two-party margin
R+16.0
1996
Democratic
Bill Clinton44.01%
Republican
Bob Dole49.85%
Two-party margin
R+5.8
1992
Democratic
Bill Clinton42.76%
Republican
George H. W. Bush46.99%
Two-party margin
R+4.2
1988
Democratic
Michael Dukakis37.58%
Republican
George H. W. Bush61.50%
Two-party margin
R+23.9
1984
Democratic
Walter Mondale35.57%
Republican
Ronald Reagan63.55%
Two-party margin
R+28.0
1980
Democratic
Jimmy Carter48.21%
Republican
Ronald Reagan49.45%
Two-party margin
R+1.2
Percentages are major-party shares from this site's state data. Margins use those shares; third-party votes can make totals differ from the national popular vote. This is historical context, not a forecast.
Notable races involving South Carolina
No seeded race cards are available for South Carolina yet. Check back as coverage expands.
U.S. Congress (South Carolina)
119th CongressU.S. Senate
Caucus split
0D:2R
Lindsey GrahamRSenior senator
Lindsey Olin Graham is an American politician and attorney serving as the senior United States senator from South Carolina, a seat he has held since 2003.
Tim ScottRJunior senator
Timothy Eugene Scott is an American businessman and politician serving since 2013 as the junior United States senator from South Carolina.
U.S. House delegation
Post-2024 election delegation totals (Wikipedia / Ballotpedia–style snapshot for the 119th Congress).
Seat split
1D:6R
Governor
Chief executive of South Carolina's state government (separate from the U.S. Congress above).
Henry McMasterR
Governor
Henry Dargan McMaster is an American politician and attorney serving since 2017 as the 117th governor of South Carolina.