Introduction: South Carolina Download PDF
South Carolina was primarily an agricultural state until the 20th century. Cotton has historically been South Carolina’s main cash crop. Today, the state also grows a substantial amount of tobacco and soybeans. These agricultural products also form the foundation of the state’s manufacturing sector. The clothing and textile industries rely on the cotton grown in the state. Lumbering and the manufacturing of paper and pulp rely on the forestlands that are found in the state.
Apart from manufacturing and agriculture, tourism and the military play a big role in the economy. Tourism is now the chief source of income for the state. U.S. military bases and nuclear facilities are more important to the local economies where they reside. These facilities include Fort Jackson in Columbia, the Marine Corps at Parris Island and Beaufort, and air force bases in Sumter and Charleston.
Government
Symbols
State Seal: |
State Quarter: |
Time Zones:
| Standard Time | GMT-5 | |
| Daylight-Saving Time | GMT-4 | |
Statistics
- Per Capita Real GDP :
- $28,894
- Population:
- 4,479,800
- Percent of People Under Poverty Level:
- 15.6%
- Per Capita Personal Income:
- $29,515
- Percent of Population with a Bachelor's Degree:
- 14.9%
- Total Exports:
- $16,560,200,000
Top 5 Export Partner Countries
Canada
Germany
Mexico
United Kingdom
China
Top 5 Export Merchandise
Transportation Equipment Sales
Chemicals Sales
Computers and Electronic Products Manufacturing
Primary Metals Manufacturing
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
Major Cities
Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston
Major Airports
| Airport Name | City | |
| CAE | Columbia Metropolitan | Columbia |
| CHS | Charleston AFB/International | Charleston |
| GSP | Greenville Spartanburg International | Greer |
Main Ports:
Charleston
Corporations
| Company | Fortune 1000 Rank: | Revenues ($millions) | Headquarter City |
| SCANA | 483 | 4,563 | Columbia |
| Sonoco Products | 563 | 3,657 | Hartsville |
| Bowater | 571 | 3,530 | Greenville |
| ScanSource | 956 | 1,666 | Greenville |