South Carolina Almanac: State Facts and Figures

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South Carolina Almanac

Official Name

South Carolina

Capital

Columbia

Nick Name

Palmetto State

Motto

Animis Opibusque Parati (Prepared in mind and resources)
Dum Spiro Spero (While I breathe, I hope)

Location & Region

34.03923 N, 080.88634 W

South

Constitution Ratified

1895

Statehood

May 23, 1788

8th state

Population

4,012,012

133.24 sq mi.

26th

Largest City
(by population)

Columbia, Charleston, North Charleston, Greenville, Rock Hill

Bordering States

Georgia - North Carolina - Coastline: 187 mi.

Number of Counties

46 Counties in South Carolina

Largest County
(by population)

Greenville County

379,616

792 sq mi.

Time Zone

Eastern Standard Time

South Carolina Climate and Weather

South Carolina's climate is mild and humid. Its long coast lies near the Gulf Stream, which keeps coastal areas warmer in winter and cooler in summer than the interior. The mountains in the northwest help protect the rest of the state from cold air, but the higher elevations are usually cooler in summer and colder in winter than the rest of the state.

January temperatures are mild, with some days below freezing along the coast, but most range 37-59 F/3-14 C. Expect temperatures to run 53-76 F/11-24 C along the coast in April, 61-83 F/16-27 C in May. Some severe thunderstorms or tornadoes can occur in spring. Visitors will find pleasant conditions at the beaches through the fall, though summers are hot (high 80s F/30 C to above 90 F/32+ C) and humid. Humidity at 50%-60% in high heat can be quite exhausting, so if you visit in the warm-weather months, pace yourself.

Fall can be a pleasant time to visit. The humidity during these months is generally fairly comfortable and temperatures are in the 55-84 F/12-28 C range. Indian summers can last through November, with dry days and temperatures from the low 40s F/5 C to the mid 60s F/18 C.

Highest Temperature

111 degrees
June 28, 1954 - Camden

Lowest Temperature

-19 degrees
January 21, 1985 - Caesar's Head

Avg Temp: High - Low

91.9 degrees

31.2 degrees

South Carolina Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet)

Mean Elevation

350

Highest Point

Sassafras Mountain

3,560

Lowest Point

Atlantic Ocean

Sea level

South Carolina Land Area (Square Miles)

Geographic Center

Total Area

32,020.20

40th

Land Area¹

30,109.47

Water Area²

1,910.73

5.96%

Forested Land Area³

65.7%

Dimensions
(Length - Width)

260 miles

200 miles

Source: (U.S. Census, April 1, 2000)
1. Dry land and land temporarily or partially covered by water, such as marshland, swamps, etc.; streams and canals under one-eighth statute mile wide; and lakes, reservoirs, and ponds under 40 acres.
2. Permanent inland water surface, such as lakes, reservoirs, and ponds having an area of 40 acres or more; streams, sloughs, estuaries, and canals one-eighth statute mile or more in width; deeply indented embayments and sounds, and other coastal waters behind or sheltered by headlands or islands separated by less than 1 nautical mile of water, and islands under 40 acres in area. Excludes areas of oceans, bays, sounds, etc. lying within U.S. jurisdiction but not defined as inland water.
3. 1997

Almanac Provided by SHG Resources