Is being in an area of South Carolina that’s growing quickly a good thing or a bad thing?
Depends on who you ask.
Some want bigger, more exciting cities like Charleston and Columbia, while others want peace and quiet like in Chester and Central, thank you very much.
But today, we’re going to put opinions aside and look at the cold, hard facts — since 2010, which cities in South Carolina have grown the fastest.
After getting knee-deep in the Census’s American Community Survey using Saturday Night Science, we emerged with this set of cities in the Palmetto State that have people climbing over each other to get in.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Fastest Growing Cities In South Carolina For 2026
What’s the fastest growing city in South Carolina for 2026? Based on the most recent ACS data, Blythewood ranks as the fastest-growing city in South Carolina. If you happen to be a resident of Blythewood, you’re probably not surprised to find it on our list.
If you’re surprised — and you’re wondering why these places are a big deal — keep reading. We’ll tell you what makes each of these 10 places in South Carolina grow like weeds.
For more South Carolina state reading:
- Best Places To Live In The United States
- Fastest Growing States In The United States
- Best Places To Live In South Carolina
- Cheapest Places To Live In South Carolina
- Most Dangerous Cities In South Carolina
The 10 Fastest Growing Cities In South Carolina For 2026
1. Blythewood
/10
Population: 5,731
Population 2010: 1,459
Percent Growth 292.8%
Absolute Growth: 4,272
More on Blythewood: Data | Movers
2. Hardeeville
/10
Population: 10,871
Population 2010: 2,985
Percent Growth 264.2%
Absolute Growth: 7,886
More on Hardeeville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
3. Bluffton
/10
Population: 33,157
Population 2010: 10,748
Percent Growth 208.5%
Absolute Growth: 22,409
More on Bluffton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
4. Fort Mill
/10
Population: 30,775
Population 2010: 10,273
Percent Growth 199.6%
Absolute Growth: 20,502
More on Fort Mill: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
5. Lyman
/10
6. Moncks Corner
/10
Population: 15,485
Population 2010: 7,508
Percent Growth 106.2%
Absolute Growth: 7,977
More on Moncks Corner: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
7. Tega Cay
/10
Population: 13,615
Population 2010: 7,014
Percent Growth 94.1%
Absolute Growth: 6,601
More on Tega Cay: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
8. Travelers Rest
/10
Population: 8,370
Population 2010: 4,466
Percent Growth 87.4%
Absolute Growth: 3,904
More on Travelers Rest: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
9. Greer
/10
Population: 41,536
Population 2010: 23,908
Percent Growth 73.7%
Absolute Growth: 17,628
More on Greer: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
10. Conway
/10
Population: 27,263
Population 2010: 16,424
Percent Growth 66.0%
Absolute Growth: 10,839
More on Conway: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Methodology: How We Measured The Fastest Growing Cities In the Palmetto State for 2026
To figure out which cities are growing the most, we used Saturday Night Science to look at the growth rates for cities since the beginning of the decade, according to the American Community Survey put out by the census every year. Specifically:
- Current Population
- Population in 2010
- Growth rate from 2010 to Current (The latest available data which came out in Dec 2024)
We ranked all 63 South Carolina cities with a population over 5,000 people from highest growth rate to lowest.
The city with the highest growth rate during this time was crowned the fastest-growing city in the Palmetto State.
And for those of you who are a little rusty with their statistics, you can calculate the growth rate by the following formula:
[Current Population – Population 2010] / [Population 2010]
The data has been updated for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking the fastest growing cities in South Carolina.
Here’s a graph of the cities in South Carolina with the most significant percent increase in population:
Summary: These Places Grew Up So Fast In South Carolina, You Know?
So there you have it, the fastest growing cities in South Carolina are led by Blythewood which has been growing at a blistering pace this decade relative to other cities and towns around the state.
The fastest-growing cities in South Carolina are Blythewood, Hardeeville, Bluffton, Fort Mill, Lyman, Moncks Corner, Tega Cay, Travelers Rest, Greer, and Conway.
It’ll be interesting to see if these places can keep growing at the same rate over the next couple of years. We’ll be here to let you know!
These places have been growing (or shrinking) the slowest (fastest):
- Bennettsville
- Marion
- Clinton
For more South Carolina reading, check out:
- Best Places To Raise A Family In South Carolina
- Safest Places In South Carolina
- Worst Places To Live In South Carolina
Fastest Growing Places In South Carolina For 2026
| Rank | City | Population | Population 2010 | Growth | Absolute Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blythewood | 5,731 | 1,459 | 292.8% | 4,272 |
| 2 | Hardeeville | 10,871 | 2,985 | 264.2% | 7,886 |
| 3 | Bluffton | 33,157 | 10,748 | 208.5% | 22,409 |
| 4 | Fort Mill | 30,775 | 10,273 | 199.6% | 20,502 |
| 5 | Lyman | 6,547 | 3,111 | 110.4% | 3,436 |
| 6 | Moncks Corner | 15,485 | 7,508 | 106.2% | 7,977 |
| 7 | Tega Cay | 13,615 | 7,014 | 94.1% | 6,601 |
| 8 | Travelers Rest | 8,370 | 4,466 | 87.4% | 3,904 |
| 9 | Greer | 41,536 | 23,908 | 73.7% | 17,628 |
| 10 | Conway | 27,263 | 16,424 | 66.0% | 10,839 |