South Carolina Facts for Kids

A Map of the U.S. state South Carolina
  • U.S. State: South Carolina
  • Abbreviation: SC
  • Joined the USA: May 23th, 1788 (8th State)
  • Located: Southeastern United States
  • Capital City: Columbus, SC
  • Most Populated City: Charleston, SC

35 South Carolina Facts for Kids

  1. South Carolina is a state in the United States of America.
  2. South Carolina is in the southeastern region of the United States.
  3. South Carolina became a U.S. state on Friday, May 23rd, 1788.
  4. South Carolina was the 8th state to join the United States.
  5. The U.S. state of South Carolina covers 32,020 square miles.
  6. South Carolina is the 40th largest state by area in the United States.
  7. In 2019, the population of South Carolina was estimated to be 5,149,000 residents by the U.S. Census Bureau.
  8. In 2019, South Carolina was the 23rd most populated state in the United States.
  9. A person who is from or lives in South Carolina is called a South Carolinian.
  10. The capital city of South Carolina is Columbia.
  11. The three largest cities in South Carolina are Columbia, Charleston and North Charleston.
  12. The largest city in by population in South Carolina is Columbia.
  13. The largest metropolitan area in South Carolina is the Greenville Up State area.
  14. The U.S. state of South Carolina has 46 counties.
  15. The most populated county in South Carolina is Greenville County with 523,542 residents (2019, U.S. Census Bureau).
  16. The largest county by area in South Carolina is Charleston County with 1,358 square miles.
  17. The highest elevation point in South Carolina is Sassafras Mountain at 3,560 feet above sea level.
  18. The lowest elevation point in South Carolina is the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean at sea level.
  19. The average precipitation (rain and snow) in South Carolina is 49.2 inches.
  20. South Carolina is the 11th wettest state by precipitation (rain and snow) in the United States.
  21. The average temperature in South Carolina is 61.7 °F.
  22. South Carolina is the 9th warmest state in the United States.
  23. The warmest temperature ever recorded in South Carolina was 113 °F on June 29th, 2012.
  24. The coldest temperature ever recorded in South Carolina was -22 °F on January 21st, 1985.
  25. A few natural disasters that can affect South Carolina are heat waves, hurricanes and thunderstorms.
  26. South Carolina is in one time zone, Eastern Time Zone (ET).
  27. The USPS abbreviation for South Carolina is SC.
  28. South Carolina is also known as the Palmetto State.
  29. The motto for the U.S. state of South Carolina is “While I breathe, I hope”.
  30. The official state insect of South Carolina is the Carolina mantid (Stagmomantis Carolina).
  31. The official state fish of South Carolina is the striped bass (Morone saxatilis).
  32. The official state bird of South Carolina is the Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus).
  33. The official state animal of South Carolina is the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
  34. The official state flower of South Carolina is the yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens).
  35. The official state tree of South Carolina is the sabal palmetto (Sabal palmetto).

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