South Carolina Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location…: South Carolina is located in the southern region of the United Staets, bordered by Georgia to the south and North Carolina to the north.
Cities: The largest cities are Columbia, Charleston, and North Charleston.
Behind the Name: South Carolina is nicknamed the “Palmetto State” in reference to the official state tree, the Sabal Palmetto. (2)
A Closer Look: South Carolina’s coastal region flourishes today as tourists and residents flock to the sandy beaches and enchanting islands. [It may not be California, but who can turn down the beach?]
Did You Know? Originally part of the Province of Carolina and one of the original Thirteen Colonies, South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union and founded the Confederate States of America.
South Carolina Careers and Employment:
Population: 4,479,800 (11.7% increase since 2000) - 51.3% Female, 48.7% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).
Business Environment: Ranked 29th in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.
Top Industries: In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) manufacturing; (2) retail; (3) health care and social assistance; (4) accommodation and food services; and (5) administrative and support and waste management and remediation services.
Taxes: Income Tax, 0% to 7.0%% and Sales Tax, 6% (Federation of Tax Administrators).
Cost of Living: 95.5 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).
Quality of Life: Ranked 48th of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.
Weather: Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 44.12; Apr: 61.80; July: 80.08; Oct: 62.70 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
K-12: Ranked 34th of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
South Carolina Economics:
In General: South Carolina’s economy is led by the service industry, while manufacturing (15%) and the government and military sector (18%) are also major employers
Service Industry: Wholesale and retail trade rank first among South Carolina’s service industries, benefiting from the state’s year-round tourism industry.
Agriculture: More than half of South Carolina’s agricultural income is produced by livestock and livestock products. In terms of revenue generated South Carolina’s top five agricultural products are broilers (young chickens), greenhouse and nursery products, turkeys, cattle and calves and tobacco.
Manufacturing: Chemicals represent the key manufacturing sector in the state, most importantly synthetic fibers, plastic resins, dyes and pharmaceuticals.
Mining: Granite and limestone are two of South Carolina’s most valuable mined products, in addition to gold.
Did You Know? South Carolina hosts a number of military facilities located throughout the state that contribute to its economy.
South Carolina Education:
Find Colleges and Universities in South Carolina, here.
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.
