State overview
State Capitol: Columbia
State Nickname(s): “The Palmetto State”
State Anthem: “Carolina”
State Motto: Dum Spiro Spero (Latin), “While I breathe I hope.””
Population:
Population Density: 157/sq mi
Total Population: 5,084,127
State Bird: Carolina Wren
State Flower: Yellow Jessamine
History
South Carolina, a US state in the southeast, has North Carolina to the north and Georgia to the south as neighbors. South Carolina’s renowned coastline is formed by the Atlantic Ocean, which is to the east of the state.
At 23rd place in terms of total population, South Carolina ranks about in the middle of the pack among the 50 states of the United States. Nearly 900,000 people make their home in the Greenville metropolitan area, which also includes Anderson and Mauldin, making it the most populous region in South Carolina.
However, with 134,875 residents, Charleston is South Carolina’s largest city. There are 133,114 people living in South Carolina’s capital city, Columbia.
South Carolina has a significant place in American history being the eighth state to ratify the Constitution of the United States in 1788.
South Carolina voted to secede from the Union in 1860, two years before the start of the Civil War. In June of 1868, after the conclusion of the Civil War, the state was once again accepted into the Union.
Because King Charles I of England founded the English colony, the name “South Carolina” comes from the Latin for “Charles.”
The state of South Carolina is known for its gorgeous southern charm, which can be seen in its large coastline, exquisite gardens, historic landmarks, and sprawling plantations.
Major industries
- Aerospace
- Agribusiness
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Technology
Government overview
Department of State
Address:
Edgar Brown Building – 1205 Pendleton Street Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone Number: (803) 734-2170
Website: https://www.scsos.com/
Entertainment
Top 5 national and state parks
- Caesars Head State Park
Phone Number: (864) 836-6115
Address: 8155 Geer Highway, Cleveland, SC 29635-9428
- Congaree National Park
Phone Number: (803) 776-4396
Address: 100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061-8320
- Huntington Beach State Park
Phone Number: (843) 237-4440
Address: 16148 Ocean Highway, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576-5064
- Myrtle Beach State Park
Phone Number: (843) 238-5325
Address: 4401 South Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575-4936
- Table Rock State Park
Phone Number: (864) 878-9813
Address: 158 East Ellison Lane, Pickens, SC 29671-9524
Sports teams
Basketball
Charlotte Hornets (represent North and South Carolina)
NBA, Eastern Conference, Southeast Division
Football
Carolina Panthers (represent North and South Carolina)
NFL, NFC South
Hockey
Carolina Hurricanes (represent North and South Carolina)
NHL
Baseball
The Charlotte Knights
AAA, Minor League
Soccer
Charleston Battery
USL
Annual state fair
South Carolina State Fair
Location: 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201
Major cities
Charleston
Charleston, the state’s largest and oldest city, sits on Charleston Harbor, an inlet formed by the Atlantic Ocean and the confluence of the Wando, Cooper, and Ashley rivers.
There are about 134,875 people living in Charleston proper, with another 761,155 in the greater metropolitan region.
Originally named Charles Town after King Charles II of England, the city was relocated to its current location on the east side of the Ashley River in 1680. Ten years after the relocation, the city had grown to fifth largest in colonial North America, but it still wasn’t incorporated.
Charleston adopted its present spelling and became an official city in 1783, following the close of the American Revolutionary War. Before 1788, Charleston served as the state capital, but as the state’s population shifted east, Columbia took its place and has been there ever since.
Charleston has a rich history and is well-known for its fine restaurants, welcoming locals, and stunning architecture. Charleston, South Carolina, has been voted the “World’s Best City,” “America’s Most Friendly City,” and “The Most Polite and Hospitable City in America” by several publications.
City Nickname(s): “The Holy City”
City Motto: Ædes Mores Juraque Curat (Latin: “She Guards Her Temples, Customs, and Laws”)
Major industries
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Energy
- IT & Defense
- Life Sciences
School District
Phone Number: (843) 937-6300
Charleston County School District
Local Police Numbers
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: (843) 743-7200
Main Fire Department
Phone number: (843) 720-1981
1622 Camp Road, Charleston, SC 29412
Area Hospitals & Locations
- Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital
Phone number: (843) 402-1000
2095 Henry Tecklenburg Drive, Charleston, SC 29414-5733
- MUSC Health-University Medical Center
Phone number: (843) 792-2300
169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425-8905
Utilities
Local Electric Company
- Berkeley Electric Coop
Phone numbers:
- Goose Creek: (843) 553-5020
- Moncks Corner: (843) 761-8200
- Johns Island: (843) 559-2458
- Awendaw: (843) 884-7525
Addresses:
- Goose Creek: 2 Springhall Drive, P.O. Box 1549, Goose Creek, SC 29445
- Johns Island: 3351 Maybank Highway P.O. Box 128 Johns Island, SC 29455
- Moncks Corner: 551 Rembert C. Dennis Blvd, P.O. Box 1234, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
- Awendaw: 7200 Highway 17 North Awendaw, SC 29429
- SCE&G
Phone number: 1(800) 251-7234
P.O. Box 100255 Columbia SC 29202
Municipal Water Company
Charleston Water System
Phone number: (843) 727-6800
103 St. Phillip Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Local Cable Companies
- DirecTV
Phone number: 1(855) 403-3473
- Dish Network
Phone number: 1-877-699-9710
- Home Telecom
Phone number: (843) 277-7307
- Spectrum
Phone Number: (866) 874-2389
- WoW Cable
Phone number: (843) 225-1000
- Xfinity by Comcast
Phone number: 1 (800) 934-6489
Local Waste/Dump/Recycle
Waste
- City of Charleston
Phone number: (843) 724-7364
2150 Milford Street Charleston, SC 29405
- Carolina Waste
Phone number: (843) 576-1100
4285 Pace Street North Charleston, SC 29405
Dump
Bees Ferry Landfill
Phone number: (843) 571-0929
1344 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston (West Ashley)
Recycling Company
Carolina Waste
Phone number: (843) 576-1100
4285 Pace Street North Charleston, SC 29405
- Charleston County Environmental Management
Phone number: (843) 720-7111
13 Romney Street Charleston, SC 29403
Columbia
In addition to being the state capital, Columbia is the second largest city in South Carolina. The city of Columbia, South Carolina, is home to roughly 134,309 people. Part of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County.
Central South Carolina is home to a collection of towns and cities collectively known as the “Midlands,” with Columbia serving as their most important city. Columbia, sometimes known as “River City,” is situated where the Broad and Saluda Rivers meet to form the Congaree.
The University of South Carolina, the first and largest university in the state, is located in Columbia. Fort Jackson, in Columbia, is the largest United States Army station and the primary site for basic combat training for the Army.
When South Carolina first seceded from the Union in 1860, it did so at a convention convened in Columbia. This was a pivotal moment in the buildup to the Civil War.
City Nickname(s): “River City”, “Soda Town”, “Cola City”,
City Motto: Justitia Virtutum Regina (Latin: “Justice, the Queen of Virtues”)
Major industries
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Green Energy Production
- Healthcare
- Insurance Information and Technology
- Research, Development, and Discovery
- Transportation and Logistics
School Districts
Phone Number: (803) 231-7000
Richland County School District One
Local Police Numbers
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: (803) 252-2911
Main Fire Department
Phone number: (803) 545-3700
Columbia FOIA Office 1401 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Area Hospitals & Locations
- Prisma Health Baptist Hospital
Phone number: (803) 296-5010
Taylor at, Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29220
- Prisma Health Richland Hospital
Phone number: (803) 434-7000
5 Medical Park Road, Columbia, SC 29203
- Providence Health
Phone number: (803) 256-5300
2435 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC 29204
Utilities
Local Electric Company
- General Electric Power Cooperative
Phone number: (803) 779-4975
20 Cooperative Way Columbia, South Carolina 29210
- Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative
Phone number: (803) 749-5056
Address:
- Lexington: 254 Longs Pond Road Lexington, SC 29072
- Dutch Fork: 7524 Broad River Road Irmo, SC 29063
- By Mail: P.O. Box 669, Lexington, SC 29071-0669
- SCE&G
Phone number: (800) 251-7234
Address:
- Columbia Customer Service Office: 1213 Flora Street Columbia, SC 29201
- By mail: SCE&G, P.O. Box 100255 Columbia, SC 29202
- Tri-County Electric Cooperative
Phone number: (803) 874-1215
Address:
- By Mail: PO Box 217 St. Matthews, SC 29135
- In-Person: 6473 Old State Road, St. Matthews, SC 29135-0217
Municipal Water Company
City of Columbia
Phone number: (803) 545-3300
1136 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Local Cable Companies
- AT&T U-verse
Phone number: 1-888-757-6500
- DirecTV (AT&T)
Phone number: 1 (800) 531-5000
- Dish Network
Phone number: 1-877-699-9710
- HughesNet
Phone number: 1-877-286-2406
- Spectrum
Phone number: (866) 874-2389
Local Waste/Dump/Recycle
Waste
- Advanced Disposal
Phone number: (803) 256-7276
49 Palmetto Court Gaston, SC 29053
- Capital Waste Services
Phone number: (803) 291-5745
1450 Bluff Road Columbia SC 29201
- City of Columbia
Phone number: (803) 545-3800
2910 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC 29203
- Richland County
Phone number: (803) 576-2440
2020 Hampton Street, P.O.Box 192 Columbia, SC 29201
Dump
C&D Landfill and Drop-off Center
Phone number: (803) 576-2390
1070 Caughman Road North Columbia, SC 29203
Recycling Company
- Advanced Disposal
Phone number: (803) 256-7276
49 Palmetto Court Gaston, SC 29053
- Capital Waste Services
Phone number: (803) 291-5745
1450 Bluff Road Columbia SC 29201
- City of Columbia
Phone number: (803) 545-3800
2910 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC 29203
- Richland County
Phone number: (803) 576-2440
2020 Hampton Street, P.O.Box 192 Columbia, SC 29201
Greenville
Greenville, South Carolina, is the county seat of Greenville County and the county’s largest city, with a population of over 68,219 people.
Greenville is the fastest-growing city in South Carolina, and it has been featured in a number of national publications in recent years. It has been recognized as one of the “Best Cities for Young Professionals” by Forbes and one of the “Top 10 Fastest Growing Cities in the U.S.” by Bloomberg.
Greenville is surrounded by the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, and its terrain is characterized by gentle undulations. The city also experiences periodic mild earthquakes due to its position on the Brevard Fault Line.
Despite its size, Greenville has become well-known for its contributions to the fields of art, culture, and music. The previously thriving city was known as the “textile capital of the world” because of its reliance on the textile industry.
Greenville is now the headquarters for many successful businesses, including Michelin, Hubbell Incorporated, AVX Corporation, Southern Tide, Concentrix, Confluence Outdoor, and others.
City Nickname(s): “Textile Capital of the World”
Major industries
- Distribution
- Health Care
- Manufacturing
- Technology
School Districts
Phone Number: (864) 355-3100
Greenville County School District
Local Police Numbers
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: (864) 271-5333
Main Fire Department
Phone number: (864) 467-4445
107 Cedar Lane Road, Greenville, SC 29601
Area Hospitals & Locations
Bon Secours St. Francis Health System-Greenville
Phone number: (864) 255-1000
One St Francis Drive Greenville, SC 29601-3207
Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital
Phone number: 864-455-7000
701 Grove Road Greenville, SC 29605-4295
Utilities
Local Electric Company
- Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op
Phone number: (864) 242-6350
Addresses:
- Oconee: 2328 Sandifer Boulevard, Westminster, SC 29693
- Pickens: 734 W Main Street Pickens, SC 29671
- Duke Energy
Phone number: (800) 777-9898
425 Fairforest Way, Greenville, SC 29607
- Laurens Electric Co-Op
Phone number: 1 (800) 942-3141
Addresses:
- Laurens: 2254 Highway14, PO Box 700 Laurens, SC 29360
- Mauldin: 1201 East Butler Road Greenville, SC 29607
- Joanna: (Drive-thru only) 406 North Main Street Joanna, SC 29351
- Woodruff: (Drive-thru only) 11471 Highway 221 Woodruff, SC 29388
Municipal Water Company
Greenville Water System
Phone number: (864) 241-6000
407 West Broad Street, Greenville, SC 29601
Local Cable Companies
- DirecTV (AT&T)
Phone number: 1 (800) 531-5000
- Dish Network
Phone number: 1-877-699-9710
- Spectrum
Phone number: (866) 874-2389
Local Waste/Dump/Recycle
Waste
- City of Greenville
Phone number: 864-467-4345
475 Fairforest Way Greenville, SC 29607
- Palmetto Waste Services
Phone number: (864) 616-6790
PO BOX 2534 Greer, SC 29652
Dump
- Blackberry Valley Residential Waste and Recycling Center
Phone number: (864) 243-9672
409 Blackberry Valley Road, Greenville, SC 29617
- Republic Services Greenville Landfill
Phone number: (864) 277-6500
684 Mauldin Road, Greenville, SC 29607
Recycling Company
- City of Greenville
Phone number: 864-467-4345
475 Fairforest Way Greenville, SC 29607
- Palmetto Waste Services
Phone number: (864) 616-6790
PO BOX 2534 Greer, SC 29652