Living › Relocation › Best Towns by Metro
These are the towns and suburbs in each of South Carolina's main metro areas, 76 places in all, with population, growth, median age, income, commute and home value from the Census. Fastest growth 2020-2024: Fort Mill (47.8%). Filter by metro to compare the places around one city.
- Places76in the table
- Growth 2020-20248.4%middle place
- Median Household Income$68,771middle place
- CheckedOct 262026
The Short Answer
- Figures are American Community Survey 5-year estimates for 2020-2024 (released by the Census Bureau), read from the Census Bureau table-based summary files. Each figure carries its 90 percent margin of error (moe_90pct). source
- Metro membership uses the Census ACS 2024 geography file, which lists each SC county inside each metro area (OMB 2023 delineations). source
- Population change uses the Census Bureau Vintage 2024 city and town estimates (April 1, 2020 estimates base to July 1, 2024); the Vintage 2025 July 1, 2025 estimate is added where available. source
Best Towns to Live in South Carolina by Metro: The Figures
| Place | Population | Growth 2020-2024 (computed) | Median household income | Median home value | Median age | Commute (minutes) (computed) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston city, Berkeley County, Charleston County | 154,338 ±200 | 4.7% | $92,414 ±$3,404 | $509,700 ±$17,642 | 36.6 ±0.6 | 24.2 | source |
| Columbia city, Lexington County, Richland County | 139,643 ±171 | 5.8% | $55,529 ±$1,827 | $264,300 ±$11,700 | 28.6 ±0.6 | 17.7 | source |
| North Charleston city, Berkeley County, Charleston County, Dorchester County | 119,913 ±119 | 9.7% | $62,956 ±$3,840 | $302,200 ±$11,654 | 34.6 ±1 | 24.5 | source |
| Mount Pleasant town, Charleston County | 93,993 ±36 | 5.1% | $124,755 ±$7,852 | $748,500 ±$22,756 | 42.6 ±1.1 | 24.9 | source |
| Rock Hill city, York County | 75,259 ±94 | 1.9% | $68,771 ±$3,245 | $295,100 ±$11,456 | 35.7 ±1.3 | 25 | source |
| Greenville city, Greenville County | 72,935 ±52 | 4.6% | $71,472 ±$2,965 | $487,500 ±$22,040 | 34.7 ±1.1 | 19 | source |
| Summerville town, Berkeley County, Charleston County, Dorchester County | 51,654 ±63 | 3.5% | $81,046 ±$6,058 | $328,100 ±$8,120 | 38.9 ±2.1 | 31.2 | source |
| Goose Creek city, Berkeley County | 48,078 ±61 | 9.5% | $88,178 ±$3,979 | $306,000 ±$10,528 | 34 ±1.7 | 26.7 | source |
| Greer city, Greenville County, Spartanburg County | 41,536 ±59 | 30.9% | $82,626 ±$7,064 | $288,700 ±$12,701 | 36 ±1.4 | 24.3 | source |
| Greer city, Greenville County, Spartanburg County | 41,536 ±59 | 30.9% | $82,626 ±$7,064 | $288,700 ±$12,701 | 36 ±1.4 | 24.3 | source |
| Spartanburg city, Spartanburg County | 38,910 ±55 | 2.3% | $51,964 ±$4,163 | $203,700 ±$15,717 | 36 ±1.2 | 20.2 | source |
| Myrtle Beach city, Horry County | 38,371 ±79 | 13.6% | $60,394 ±$3,850 | $388,800 ±$34,009 | 47.3 ±2.7 | 17.7 | source |
| Fort Mill town, York County | 30,775 ±44 | 47.8% | $121,823 ±$6,754 | $487,500 ±$19,616 | 38.4 ±1.2 | 26.3 | source |
| Anderson city, Anderson County | 30,051 ±58 | 5.1% | $46,933 ±$4,427 | $218,200 ±$13,472 | 32.7 ±2 | 22 | source |
| Conway city, Horry County | 27,263 ±38 | 18.5% | $56,650 ±$6,653 | $260,900 ±$10,203 | 32.5 ±2.8 | 24 | source |
| Mauldin city, Greenville County | 27,055 ±47 | 20.2% | $82,331 ±$4,169 | $258,500 ±$11,279 | 40.9 ±1.7 | 21.1 | source |
| Carolina Forest CDP, Horry County | 26,263 ±2,009 | Not listed | $74,436 ±$6,922 | $336,800 ±$26,903 | 40.3 ±4.1 | 22 | source |
| Simpsonville city, Greenville County | 26,144 ±70 | 20.1% | $82,457 ±$5,425 | $299,300 ±$17,799 | 37.1 ±2.2 | 22.4 | source |
| Easley city, Anderson County, Pickens County | 24,841 ±33 | 17.6% | $66,299 ±$8,327 | $263,500 ±$17,229 | 39.2 ±3.1 | 27 | source |
| Lexington town, Lexington County | 24,585 ±36 | 7.6% | $87,126 ±$10,332 | $297,700 ±$10,146 | 39 ±1.6 | 25.2 | source |
| Taylors CDP, Greenville County | 24,505 ±1,626 | Not listed | $77,144 ±$12,476 | $257,500 ±$12,406 | 37.5 ±2.2 | 22 | source |
| Socastee CDP, Horry County | 23,796 ±2,165 | Not listed | $62,257 ±$8,778 | $234,200 ±$12,416 | 43.3 ±3 | 20.6 | source |
| Hanahan city, Berkeley County | 21,452 ±40 | 8.4% | $87,984 ±$10,295 | $374,800 ±$15,452 | 36.6 ±1.3 | 23.9 | source |
| Wade Hampton CDP, Greenville County | 20,898 ±1,662 | Not listed | $77,449 ±$5,222 | $339,000 ±$22,279 | 38.9 ±1.6 | 20 | source |
| St. Andrews CDP, Richland County | 19,868 ±2,036 | Not listed | $46,511 ±$5,624 | $161,300 ±$9,603 | 33.2 ±2.8 | 21.8 | source |
| North Myrtle Beach city, Horry County | 19,855 ±27 | 10.5% | $72,722 ±$3,862 | $416,900 ±$17,365 | 61.9 ±1.5 | 22 | source |
| Five Forks CDP, Greenville County | 18,656 ±2,166 | Not listed | $141,786 ±$10,807 | $452,200 ±$21,187 | 40.4 ±2.8 | 25.2 | source |
| Clemson city, Anderson County, Pickens County | 18,072 ±94 | 5.2% | $49,520 ±$4,042 | $398,400 ±$35,647 | 24.8 ±0.9 | 18.9 | source |
| West Columbia city, Lexington County, Richland County | 17,963 ±32 | 5.3% | $56,912 ±$3,782 | $201,700 ±$12,741 | 38.6 ±3.2 | 19.5 | source |
| Berea CDP, Greenville County | 16,862 ±1,551 | Not listed | $49,829 ±$4,543 | $204,700 ±$9,240 | 36.7 ±2.3 | 24.6 | source |
| Ladson CDP, Berkeley County, Charleston County | 16,140 ±1,401 | Not listed | $78,760 ±$17,308 | $234,900 ±$14,362 | 31.3 ±2.8 | 30.9 | source |
| Lake Wylie CDP, York County | 16,006 ±1,401 | Not listed | $112,097 ±$12,399 | $485,600 ±$30,324 | 38.2 ±2.8 | 32 | source |
| Seven Oaks CDP, Lexington County | 15,921 ±1,498 | Not listed | $62,955 ±$5,429 | $208,400 ±$11,948 | 40.9 ±2.9 | 20.3 | source |
| Red Hill CDP, Horry County | 15,920 ±1,636 | Not listed | $68,250 ±$5,756 | $249,500 ±$18,361 | 46.9 ±3.6 | 21.5 | source |
| Moncks Corner town, Berkeley County | 15,485 ±31 | 37.9% | $91,500 ±$12,290 | $333,200 ±$15,384 | 35.4 ±1.5 | 29 | source |
| Gantt CDP, Greenville County | 15,401 ±1,811 | Not listed | $47,316 ±$7,382 | $184,400 ±$13,656 | 31.5 ±4.5 | 23 | source |
| Dentsville CDP, Richland County | 15,209 ±1,852 | Not listed | $45,473 ±$4,331 | $163,700 ±$8,742 | 36.1 ±2.3 | 23.3 | source |
| Cayce city, Lexington County, Richland County | 13,741 ±635 | -0.9% | $62,045 ±$8,079 | $166,800 ±$9,660 | 37.7 ±3.2 | 19.6 | source |
| Tega Cay city, York County | 13,615 ±23 | 11.8% | $142,000 ±$23,593 | $529,200 ±$57,628 | 41 ±2.1 | 30.6 | source |
| Boiling Springs CDP, Spartanburg County | 12,936 ±1,618 | Not listed | $72,068 ±$16,286 | $244,400 ±$17,416 | 33.3 ±3.2 | 25 | source |
| Parker CDP, Greenville County | 12,898 ±1,630 | Not listed | $40,043 ±$5,132 | $150,400 ±$26,855 | 31.9 ±2.6 | 24.4 | source |
| Oak Grove CDP, Lexington County | 12,256 ±904 | Not listed | $74,554 ±$8,342 | $210,300 ±$11,004 | 37 ±2 | 21.7 | source |
| James Island town, Charleston County | 12,198 ±26 | 3.8% | $104,217 ±$7,969 | $508,600 ±$43,683 | 41.7 ±2.5 | 22.5 | source |
| Fountain Inn city, Greenville County, Laurens County | 12,020 ±28 | 32.4% | $73,585 ±$10,762 | $275,300 ±$13,558 | 35.2 ±3 | 20.7 | source |
| Irmo town, Lexington County, Richland County | 11,813 ±49 | 5.6% | $80,489 ±$17,507 | $203,400 ±$18,424 | 40.3 ±2 | 23.7 | source |
| Little River CDP, Horry County | 11,771 ±1,091 | Not listed | $65,786 ±$7,900 | $305,800 ±$23,409 | 61.4 ±2.2 | 25.3 | source |
| Garden City CDP, Horry County | 11,591 ±744 | Not listed | $47,249 ±$5,748 | $217,400 ±$16,005 | 62.2 ±1.1 | 22 | source |
| Red Bank CDP, Lexington County | 11,314 ±947 | Not listed | $68,004 ±$8,276 | $189,000 ±$8,619 | 36.9 ±3.6 | 25.1 | source |
| Powdersville CDP, Anderson County | 10,771 ±1,241 | Not listed | $84,910 ±$10,846 | $334,900 ±$22,372 | 40.2 ±4.4 | 36.1 | source |
| Forest Acres city, Richland County | 10,530 ±58 | -1.7% | $78,306 ±$11,068 | $279,300 ±$22,109 | 41.5 ±3 | 19.8 | source |
| Lugoff CDP, Kershaw County | 9,786 ±705 | Not listed | $69,485 ±$8,742 | $223,900 ±$12,614 | 38.8 ±3.5 | 28.3 | source |
| Woodfield CDP, Richland County | 9,465 ±1,464 | Not listed | $45,526 ±$12,335 | $150,800 ±$27,001 | 37.9 ±4.8 | 22.9 | source |
| Laurens city, Laurens County | 9,336 ±27 | -0.2% | $49,246 ±$13,089 | $180,700 ±$35,710 | 42.1 ±3.6 | 20.9 | source |
| York city, York County | 8,969 ±35 | 15.7% | $56,176 ±$10,268 | $198,600 ±$38,629 | 35 ±2.8 | 31.5 | source |
| Lancaster city, Lancaster County | 8,921 ±22 | 10.2% | $46,311 ±$4,860 | $239,100 ±$40,193 | 40.4 ±4.1 | 26.4 | source |
| Sangaree CDP, Berkeley County | 8,681 ±1,848 | Not listed | $77,673 ±$17,284 | $251,800 ±$19,315 | 36.1 ±3.3 | 30 | source |
| Travelers Rest city, Greenville County | 8,370 ±31 | 15.2% | $54,583 ±$15,030 | $284,800 ±$11,073 | 22 ±1 | 23.5 | source |
| White Knoll CDP, Lexington County | 8,310 ±816 | Not listed | $80,246 ±$9,079 | $249,400 ±$17,956 | 32.2 ±1.9 | 28.7 | source |
| Camden city, Kershaw County | 8,267 ±19 | 14.3% | $63,576 ±$20,729 | $265,300 ±$29,048 | 42.4 ±4.6 | 30.6 | source |
| Valley Falls CDP, Spartanburg County | 8,239 ±1,259 | Not listed | $55,661 ±$10,819 | $256,600 ±$30,687 | 27 ±2.3 | 22.3 | source |
| Union city, Union County | 8,079 ±34 | -3.1% | $31,914 ±$3,428 | $109,400 ±$10,172 | 45.5 ±2.2 | 25.7 | source |
| Clinton city, Laurens County | 7,676 ±28 | 2.9% | $44,522 ±$8,045 | $173,400 ±$13,523 | 30.6 ±4.3 | 18.5 | source |
| Sans Souci CDP, Greenville County | 7,665 ±737 | Not listed | $45,069 ±$5,255 | $226,500 ±$29,584 | 40.5 ±2.4 | 23.3 | source |
| Forestbrook CDP, Horry County | 7,479 ±1,423 | Not listed | $81,286 ±$10,107 | $335,800 ±$16,168 | 50.5 ±7.9 | 24.7 | source |
| Clover town, York County | 7,234 ±25 | 12.6% | $85,450 ±$12,539 | $295,700 ±$50,235 | 37.6 ±2.2 | 34.9 | source |
| Centerville CDP, Anderson County | 7,049 ±919 | Not listed | $64,380 ±$7,013 | $229,700 ±$12,045 | 42.1 ±8.6 | 23.9 | source |
| Lake Murray of Richland CDP, Richland County | 7,023 ±926 | Not listed | $119,107 ±$31,428 | $422,100 ±$37,358 | 46.5 ±4.3 | 37.3 | source |
| Clemson University CDP, Pickens County | 7,015 ±161 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | 19.2 ±0.3 | 14 | source |
| Homeland Park CDP, Anderson County | 6,632 ±1,139 | Not listed | $40,218 ±$11,491 | $103,700 ±$17,188 | 33.9 ±11.2 | 22.2 | source |
| Lyman town, Spartanburg County | 6,547 ±23 | 12.3% | $75,653 ±$7,423 | $277,600 ±$28,576 | 32.6 ±0.8 | 25.7 | source |
| Welcome CDP, Greenville County | 6,527 ±1,437 | Not listed | $66,094 ±$18,635 | $206,300 ±$55,853 | 39.1 ±3.6 | 27.7 | source |
| Blythewood town, Fairfield County, Richland County | 5,731 ±71 | 41.5% | $94,167 ±$42,242 | $384,600 ±$29,236 | 46.1 ±5.2 | 31.4 | source |
| Piedmont CDP, Anderson County, Greenville County | 5,462 ±1,114 | Not listed | $52,764 ±$12,854 | $161,900 ±$28,910 | 36.8 ±6.4 | 25.7 | source |
| Hollywood town, Charleston County | 5,382 ±17 | 4.2% | $73,693 ±$34,375 | $460,100 ±$51,340 | 53 ±2.9 | 34.5 | source |
| Central town, Pickens County | 5,320 ±20 | 1.5% | $60,258 ±$3,174 | $256,600 ±$19,135 | 24 ±2.8 | 23.1 | source |
| Chester city, Chester County | 5,218 ±42 | -0.9% | $46,138 ±$6,703 | $123,000 ±$34,447 | 38.8 ±7.7 | 28.3 | source |
No rows match.
Figures exactly as the agency publishes them; ± is the Census margin of error at 90% confidence. Sorting is by the figure, not a judgement.
Charleston-North Charleston
- Census places with ACS 2020-2024 population of 5,000 or more whose county is in this metro area (11): Charleston city; Goose Creek city; Hanahan city; Hollywood town; James Island town; Ladson CDP; Moncks Corner town; Mount Pleasant town; North Charleston city; Sangaree CDP; Summerville town. source
Greenville-Anderson-Greer
- Census places with ACS 2020-2024 population of 5,000 or more whose county is in this metro area (25): Anderson city; Berea CDP; Centerville CDP; Central town; Clemson University CDP; Clemson city; Clinton city; Easley city; Five Forks CDP; Fountain Inn city; Gantt CDP; Greenville city; Greer city; Homeland Park CDP; Laurens city; Mauldin city; Parker CDP; Piedmont CDP; Powdersville CDP; Sans Souci CDP; Simpsonville city; Taylors CDP; Travelers Rest city; Wade Hampton CDP; Welcome CDP. source
Columbia
- Census places with ACS 2020-2024 population of 5,000 or more whose county is in this metro area (17): Blythewood town; Camden city; Cayce city; Columbia city; Dentsville CDP; Forest Acres city; Irmo town; Lake Murray of Richland CDP; Lexington town; Lugoff CDP; Oak Grove CDP; Red Bank CDP; Seven Oaks CDP; St. Andrews CDP; West Columbia city; White Knoll CDP; Woodfield CDP. source
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach
- Census places with ACS 2020-2024 population of 5,000 or more whose county is in this metro area (9): Carolina Forest CDP; Conway city; Forestbrook CDP; Garden City CDP; Little River CDP; Myrtle Beach city; North Myrtle Beach city; Red Hill CDP; Socastee CDP. source
Spartanburg
- Census places with ACS 2020-2024 population of 5,000 or more whose county is in this metro area (6): Boiling Springs CDP; Greer city; Lyman town; Spartanburg city; Union city; Valley Falls CDP. source
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia (SC Part: York, Lancaster, Chester Counties)
- Census places with ACS 2020-2024 population of 5,000 or more whose county is in this metro area (8): Chester city; Clover town; Fort Mill town; Lake Wylie CDP; Lancaster city; Rock Hill city; Tega Cay city; York city. source
What We Could Not Confirm
Not confirmed: we looked for these on official pages and did not find them. Check with the town or operator before you rely on them.
- The Census data API (api.census.gov) returned a "Missing Key" page for every query tried on 2026-10-26, including the example query in the task, so no API URL could be used. The same ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates and MOEs were read from the Census Bureau table-based summary files on www2.census.gov (one pipe-delimited file per table, GEO_ID 1600000US45xxxxx = SC place). Variable names are given in API form (e.g. B25064_001E / B25064_001M); in the summary files the columns are B25064_E001 / B25064_M001.
- Places were included if their ACS population is 5,000 or more and at least one of their counties is in the metro (a place in two counties can appear in two metros, e.g. Greer in Greenville and Spartanburg). Smaller towns were left out to keep lists readable – threshold chosen by us.
- Population change is not available for CDPs: Census subcounty estimates cover incorporated places only.
- Mean travel time is computed (aggregate minutes / workers who did not work from home) by us; Census publishes this figure in table S0801 but S0801 was not downloaded, so the figure is marked computed and has no MOE.
- No ranking, score or "best" order is given; items are alphabetical within each metro.
- Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, Florence, Sumter and Augusta (SC part) metros were not requested and are not listed.
Sources
- ACS 2020-2024 5-year table-based summary file, table B01003 (all geographies)
- ACS 2020-2024 5-year table-based summary file, table B01002 (all geographies)
- ACS 2020-2024 5-year table-based summary file, table B19013 (all geographies)
- ACS 2020-2024 5-year table-based summary file, table B25077 (all geographies)
- ACS 2020-2024 5-year table-based summary file, table B08013 (all geographies)
- ACS 2020-2024 5-year table-based summary file, table B08303 (all geographies)
- Census notes on ACS estimate and annotation values (codes such as -666666666, -555555555)
- Census ACS sample size and data quality definitions (90 percent MOE)
- ACS 2024 5-year geography file (GEO_ID to place name; place-to-county and county-to-metro parts)
- Census Vintage 2024 subcounty population estimates, South Carolina
- Census Vintage 2025 subcounty population estimates, South Carolina
Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Best Towns to Live in South Carolina by Metro”, itssouthcarolina.com/living/relocation/best-towns-to-live-by-metro/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.