5 of the Largest Cities in South Carolina

Charleston

Charleston is considered to be the largest city in South Carolina, although the estimated population of this is very close to the estimated population of the state capital, Columbia. An official census will therefore need to determine which city is truly the biggest in the present day, but Charleston is currently considered to be the biggest as it has an estimated population of close to 135,000 people.

The city covers an area of 127.5 square miles and is located in Charleston County and Berkeley County. It was named after King Charles II of England and was founded in 1670, originally called Charles Town, on the shores of the state. It is the oldest city in all of South Carolina and is well-known for its unique historic architecture, long beachside promenades, and friendly locals.

Columbia

As previously mentioned, Columbia may technically be the largest city in South Carolina as its population is very close to that of Charleston, but it is currently ranked as the second biggest city in the state. The estimated population of Columbia is a little over 134,000, but more than 810,000 people live in the city's surrounding metropolitan area.

Columbia is the state capital of South Carolina and was named after the explorer, Christopher Columbus. The city is located in the central part of the state in Richland County, with a small part of it entering Lexington County too. Columbia is located on the confluence of the Broad River and Saluda River and is home to several key South Carolina institutions like the University of South Carolina and Fort Jackson, the biggest United States Army base used for combat training. Top attractions in Columbia include the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, Columbia Museum of Art, EdVenture Children's Museum and Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens.

North Charleston

North Charleston is the third biggest city in South Carolina and is spread out across three separate counties: Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley. North Charleston covers an area of 76.6 square miles and has an estimated population of 108,000 people, with more than 744,000 living in the surrounding metropolitan area, which also includes the state's biggest city, Charleston.

North Charleston is a key industrial center for South Carolina, being home to a large Boeing facility that is one of the biggest job-providers in the city. Many other large companies have built offices and factories in North Charleston, giving the city a strong economy overall. Map

Mount Pleasant

Located in Charleston County in the southeastern part of South Carolina, Mount Pleasant is seen as the state's fourth biggest city, despite technically being classed as a suburban town. Mount Pleasant has an estimated population of 81,000 people and covers an area of 52.6 square miles, with 7.5 square miles of water due to the town's marshes and location on the Wando River, Cooper River, and other bodies of water like Shem Creek.

Mount Pleasant has close connections with the city of Charleston, with many of Mount Pleasant's residents commuting into the city for work each day via the Ravenel Bridge, which connects the two locations.

Rock Hill

Rock Hill is the fifth biggest city in South Carolina by population. This city is located in York County, in the northern part of South Carolina, close to the border with North Carolina. Rock Hill is part of the Charlotte metropolitan area and has an estimated population of 72,000 people. Rock Hill covers an area of 43.16 square miles and the area was settled in the 1830s, but wasn't officially founded until 1852 as key services like a post office and railroad station arrived in the area. Rock Hill is situated on the Catawba River and is known as a popular outdoor recreation spot, with over 30 parks and many different scenic hiking trails.