SC Population Projections

[krazeeboi]

This came out about 10 years ago, but the projections are until 2025, so take them for what they're worth.

South Carolina's Population Projections: 1995 to 2025

Overview

* South Carolina had a population of 3.7 million people in 1995. Among the 50 states and District of Columbia, the state ranked as the 26th most populous. By 2000, it is projected to be the 26th most populous with 3.9 million people. By 2025, it is projected to be the 25th most populous with 4.6 million people.

* Over the three decades, South Carolina's total population is expected to increase 972 thousand people. Among the 50 states and District of Columbia, the state's net gain ranks as the 16th largest. Its rate of population change, at 26.5 percent, ranks as the 20th largest. From 1995 to 2000, the state would have a net increase of 185 thousand people, which would rank as the 22nd largest net gain in the nation.

* 1.4 percent of the nation's population resided in South Carolina in 1995 (ranked 26th largest among the 50 states and District of Columbia), compared with 1.4 percent in 2000 (ranked 26th) and 1.4 percent in 2025 (ranked 25th).

* South Carolina is expected to gain 58 thousand people through international migration between 1995 and 2025, placing it 36th largest among the net international migration gains among the 50 states and District of Columbia.

* South Carolina is projected to rank 10th largest among the 50 states and District of Columbia in the number of persons gained through net internal migration between 1995 and 2025, gaining 546 thousand persons.

* During the 1995 to 2025 period, South Carolina could have 1.6 million births and 1.3 million deaths. Among the 50 states and District of Columbia, the state could rank 25th largest in births and 25th largest in deaths. It could rank 16th largest in terms of its natural increase (birth minus deaths).

Source

So do we see this changing, either for the better or the worse, anytime soon? If so, why? If anything, I think that we would exceed these estimations.

[Spartan]

I can see the projections increasing for SC.

What concerns me most is how we are going to manage this growth. Redevelopment is great, but most of it is going to be in the outer regions of our cities. SC needs to get it together now so that we aren't facing 3 mini-Atlanta's in the future.

[krazeeboi]

You're right. It's especially telling when you consider that this state is receiving a steady influx of migrants--not large, but steady--in spite of our less-than-stellar economy (although there are a few bright spots). So imagine what happens when we REALLY get the economic ball rolling, especially with ICAR and "Innovista." Although a population surge won't occur overnight, are we even prepared to deal with this issue on a long-term basis? Or are we currently taking the attitude that "any growth is good"?

How does Columbia's Town and Country plan address these issues? Do Charleston and Greenville have any type of anti-sprawl measures/plans in place?

[GvilleSC]

HAHA, don't forget about the Christain Exodus! We're definitely on our way to surpassing those projections!

Those are some good questions about what the cities are planning... but I don't have a clue. I'd be interested in seeing though.

[waccamatt]

HAHA, don't forget about the Christain Exodus! We're definitely on our way to surpassing those projections!

Those are some good questions about what the cities are planning... but I don't have a clue. I'd be interested in seeing though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Maybe we could find them an uninhabited island that they could turn into a theocracy.

Back to the subject, the population projections have already proven to be low. South Carolina already exceeded the projections by more than 100,000 in the 2000 census. We have never seen huge growth rates in South Carokina, but it could happen in the near future. To prepare for this, urban infill needs to be encouraged and suburban sprawl discouraged. In a strange way, the best thing that could ever happen to South Carolina is higher gas pices - encouraging people to live closer to their jobs in the central cities and encouraging mass transit.

[Spartan]

Having mass transit options other than ineffective bus systems will help with that.

I am not sure if Greenville or Charleston have plans similar to Town and Country, but that plan is semi-controversial, and semi-effective. It needs to be more than guidelines. It, along with smart growth in general, need to be implemented as part of a comprehensive plan in order to be effective.

[GvilleSC]

What is this Town and Country thing you speak of? Sounds interesting

[Spartan]

The Town and Country Plan is Richland County's first serious attempt at managing its sprawl. I say first because I hope that there is another version that is more effective. I believe it also serves as the County's comprehensive and long-range plan.

http://www.richlandonline.com/information/...n/contents.html