What are the largest metro areas in South Carolina?
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is the largest metro area in South Carolina, with 2,938,830 residents in 2025 (Census PEP). Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC (1,014,101) and Charleston-North Charleston, SC (889,263) come next.
Data as of 2025 · updated
All 7 ranked South Carolina metro areas
| Rank | Metro area | Residents 2025 | Change 2020–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 2,938,830 | +10.1% |
| 2 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 1,014,101 | +9.0% |
| 3 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 889,263 | +10.7% |
| 4 | Columbia, SC | 879,918 | +6.0% |
| 5 | Spartanburg, SC | 407,656 | +14.3% |
| 6 | Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | 242,966 | +12.0% |
| 7 | Florence, SC | 201,392 | +0.9% |
How this is ranked
The Census Bureau's July 1 resident population estimates for 2025, largest first, with the change since 2020. Only metropolitan statistical areas of two or more counties are ranked (OMB Bulletin 23-01): a one-county area's figures are its county's, and micro areas are left out. An area that crosses a state line is ranked in each of its states. Areas without an estimate for the same year as the others are not ranked.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built.
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Questions
What is the largest metro area in South Carolina?
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is the largest metro area in South Carolina, with 2,938,830 residents in 2025 (Census PEP). Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC (1,014,101) and Charleston-North Charleston, SC (889,263) come next.
How is this ranking calculated?
The Census Bureau's July 1 resident population estimates for 2025, largest first, with the change since 2020. Only metropolitan statistical areas of two or more counties are ranked (OMB Bulletin 23-01): a one-county area's figures are its county's, and micro areas are left out. An area that crosses a state line is ranked in each of its states. Areas without an estimate for the same year as the others are not ranked.