
South Carolina is astate located in theSouthern United States. According to the2020 United States census, South Carolina is the23rd-most populous state with5,118,425 inhabitants,[1] but the11th-smallest by land area spanning 30,060.70 sq mi (77,856.9 km2) of land.[2] South Carolina is divided into 46counties and contains 271municipalities consisting of 71 cities and 200 towns.[3] South Carolina's municipalities cover only6.2% of the state's land mass but are home to36.8% of its population.[2]
At incorporation, municipalities may choose to be named either "City of" or "Town of", however there is no legal difference between the two.[4] All municipalities are responsible for providing local service including law enforcement, fire protection, waste and water management, planning and zoning, recreational facilities, and street lighting.[5] Municipalities may incorporate with one of three forms of government: 141 chose mayor–council, 95 chose council (weak mayor), and 33 chose council–manager.[6] Under themayor–council form of government, an elected municipal council is composed of a mayor and four or more council members.[7] The mayor's responsibilities include: staffing of all municipal employees; directing and supervising the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies; voting in, and presiding over, council meetings; and preparing the annual budget (with council), capital program (with council), and public financial reports.[7] Under thecouncil (weak mayor) form of government, the council can be composed of five, seven or nine members including the mayor, all elected, and each with one vote on council. The council has the power to levy taxes and raise funds from other sources that match the operating and capital budgets.[8] Under thecouncil–manager form of government, the council is composed of a mayor and four, six, or eight councilmen each with one vote. The municipality must employ a manager, establish administrative departments upon recommendation of the manager, adopt an annual budget, provide an independent annual audit of the books and business affairs of the municipality, provide for the general health and welfare of the municipality, and enact ordinances of any nature and kind. The manager is the head of the administrative branch of the municipal government and is responsible for staffing (including the hiring, firing and compensation of all municipal employees), preparing the annual budget and financial report for council adoption.[9]
The largest municipality by population in South Carolina is the city ofCharleston with 150,227 residents, and the smallest municipality by population isCope with 37 residents.[3] The largest municipality by land area is Columbia which spans 137.188 mi2 (355.32 km2), whileJenkinsville is the smallest at 0.089 mi2 (0.23 km2).[10]
‡ State capital andcounty seat
| Name | Type[3] | Government type[11] | County[12] | Population (2020)[3] | Population (2010)[12] | Change (%) | Land area (2021)[10] | Population density | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sq mi | km2 | ||||||||
| Abbeville† | City | Council–manager | Abbeville | 4,874 | 5,237 | −6.9% | 6.215 | 16.10 | 784.2/sq mi (302.8/km2) |
| Aiken† | City | Council–manager | Aiken | 32,025 | 29,524 | +8.5% | 21.199 | 54.91 | 1,510.7/sq mi (583.3/km2) |
| Allendale† | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Allendale | 2,694 | 3,482 | −22.6% | 3.31 | 8.6 | 813.9/sq mi (314.2/km2) |
| Anderson† | City | Council–manager | Anderson | 28,106 | 26,686 | +5.3% | 14.727 | 38.14 | 1,908.5/sq mi (736.9/km2) |
| Andrews | Town | Mayor–council | Georgetown Williamsburg | 2,575 | 2,861 | −10.0% | 2.205 | 5.71 | 1,167.8/sq mi (450.9/km2) |
| Arcadia Lakes | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Richland | 865 | 861 | +0.5% | 0.557 | 1.44 | 1,553.0/sq mi (599.6/km2) |
| Atlantic Beach | Town | Council–manager | Horry | 195 | 334 | −41.6% | 0.162 | 0.4 | 1,203.7/sq mi (464.8/km2) |
| Awendaw | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Charleston | 1,399 | 1,294 | +8.1% | 17.346 | 44.93 | 80.7/sq mi (31.1/km2) |
| Aynor | Town | Mayor–council | Horry | 974 | 560 | +73.9% | 1.802 | 4.67 | 540.5/sq mi (208.7/km2) |
| Bamberg† | City | Mayor–council | Bamberg | 3,076 | 3,607 | −14.7% | 3.575 | 9.26 | 860.4/sq mi (332.2/km2) |
| Barnwell† | City | Council (weak mayor) | Barnwell | 4,652 | 4,750 | −2.1% | 7.842 | 20.31 | 593.2/sq mi (229.0/km2) |
| Batesburg-Leesville | Town | Council–manager | Lexington Saluda | 5,270 | 5,362 | −1.7% | 8.195 | 21.22 | 643.1/sq mi (248.3/km2) |
| Beaufort† | City | Council–manager | Beaufort | 13,607 | 12,361 | +10.1% | 24.434 | 63.28 | 556.9/sq mi (215.0/km2) |
| Belton | City | Council (weak mayor) | Anderson | 4,335 | 4,134 | +4.9% | 3.778 | 9.78 | 1,147.4/sq mi (443.0/km2) |
| Bennettsville† | City | Council (weak mayor) | Marlboro | 7,020 | 9,069 | −22.6% | 6.167 | 15.97 | 1,138.3/sq mi (439.5/km2) |
| Bethune | Town | Mayor–council | Kershaw | 315 | 334 | −5.7% | 1.102 | 2.85 | 285.8/sq mi (110.4/km2) |
| Bishopville† | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Lee | 3,024 | 3,471 | −12.9% | 2.337 | 6.05 | 1,294.0/sq mi (499.6/km2) |
| Blacksburg | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Cherokee | 1,889 | 1,848 | +2.2% | 1.871 | 4.85 | 1,009.6/sq mi (389.8/km2) |
| Blackville | Town | Mayor–council | Barnwell | 1,923 | 2,406 | −20.1% | 8.932 | 23.13 | 215.3/sq mi (83.1/km2) |
| Blenheim | Town | Mayor–council | Marlboro | 115 | 154 | −25.3% | 0.653 | 1.69 | 176.1/sq mi (68.0/km2) |
| Bluffton | Town | Council–manager | Beaufort | 27,716 | 12,530 | +121.2% | 51.968 | 134.60 | 533.3/sq mi (205.9/km2) |
| Blythewood | Town | Mayor–council | Richland Fairfield | 4,772 | 2,034 | +134.6% | 10.629 | 27.53 | 449.0/sq mi (173.3/km2) |
| Bonneau | Town | Mayor–council | Berkeley | 431 | 487 | −11.5% | 3.024 | 7.83 | 142.5/sq mi (55.0/km2) |
| Bowman | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 788 | 968 | −18.6% | 1.177 | 3.05 | 669.5/sq mi (258.5/km2) |
| Branchville | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Orangeburg | 998 | 1,024 | −2.5% | 3.167 | 8.20 | 315.1/sq mi (121.7/km2) |
| Briarcliffe Acres | Town | Mayor–council | Horry | 479 | 457 | +4.8% | 0.636 | 1.65 | 753.1/sq mi (290.8/km2) |
| Brunson | Town | Mayor–council | Hampton | 431 | 554 | −22.2% | 1.017 | 2.63 | 423.8/sq mi (163.6/km2) |
| Burnettown | Town | Mayor–council | Aiken | 3,105 | 2,673 | +16.2% | 5.51 | 14.3 | 563.5/sq mi (217.6/km2) |
| Calhoun Falls | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Abbeville | 1,727 | 2,004 | −13.8% | 3.387 | 8.77 | 509.9/sq mi (196.9/km2) |
| Camden† | City | Council–manager | Kershaw | 7,788 | 6,838 | +13.9% | 11.061 | 28.65 | 704.1/sq mi (271.9/km2) |
| Cameron | Town | Mayor–council | Calhoun | 376 | 424 | −11.3% | 3.125 | 8.09 | 120.3/sq mi (46.5/km2) |
| Campobello | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Spartanburg | 675 | 502 | +34.5% | 2.782 | 7.21 | 242.6/sq mi (93.7/km2) |
| Carlisle | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Union | 321 | 436 | −26.4% | 1.416 | 3.67 | 226.7/sq mi (87.5/km2) |
| Cayce | City | Council–manager | Lexington Richland | 13,781 | 12,528 | +10.0% | 16.936 | 43.86 | 813.7/sq mi (314.2/km2) |
| Central | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Pickens | 5,247 | 5,159 | +1.7% | 2.783 | 7.21 | 1,885.4/sq mi (727.9/km2) |
| Central Pacolet | Town | Mayor–council | Spartanburg | 209 | 216 | −3.2% | 0.236 | 0.6 | 885.6/sq mi (341.9/km2) |
| Chapin | Town | Mayor–council | Lexington | 1,809 | 1,445 | +25.2% | 1.98 | 5.1 | 913.6/sq mi (352.8/km2) |
| Charleston† | City | Mayor–council | Charleston Berkeley | 150,227 | 120,083 | +25.1% | 114.793 | 297.31 | 1,308.7/sq mi (505.3/km2) |
| Cheraw | Town | Mayor–council | Chesterfield | 5,040 | 5,851 | −13.9% | 5.953 | 15.42 | 846.6/sq mi (326.9/km2) |
| Chesnee | City | Mayor–council | Spartanburg Cherokee | 829 | 868 | −4.5% | 1.071 | 2.77 | 774.0/sq mi (298.9/km2) |
| Chester† | City | Council (weak mayor) | Chester | 5,269 | 5,607 | −6.0% | 3.306 | 8.56 | 1,593.8/sq mi (615.4/km2) |
| Chesterfield† | Town | Mayor–council | Chesterfield | 1,357 | 1,472 | −7.8% | 4.062 | 10.52 | 334.1/sq mi (129.0/km2) |
| Clemson | City | Council (weak mayor) | Pickens Anderson | 17,681 | 13,905 | +27.2% | 7.549 | 19.55 | 2,342.2/sq mi (904.3/km2) |
| Clinton | City | Council–manager | Laurens | 7,633 | 8,490 | −10.1% | 10.331 | 26.76 | 738.8/sq mi (285.3/km2) |
| Clio | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Marlboro | 608 | 726 | −16.3% | 0.856 | 2.22 | 710.3/sq mi (274.2/km2) |
| Clover | Town | Council (weak mayor) | York | 6,671 | 5,094 | +31.0% | 4.547 | 11.78 | 1,467.1/sq mi (566.5/km2) |
| Columbia‡ | City | Council–manager | Richland Lexington | 136,632 | 129,272 | +5.7% | 137.188 | 355.32 | 995.9/sq mi (384.5/km2) |
| Conway† | City | Council (weak mayor) | Horry | 24,809 | 17,103 | +45.1% | 23.831 | 61.72 | 1,041.0/sq mi (401.9/km2) |
| Cope | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 37 | 77 | −51.9% | 0.25 | 0.6 | 148.0/sq mi (57.1/km2) |
| Cordova | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 136 | 169 | −19.5% | 0.436 | 1.13 | 311.9/sq mi (120.4/km2) |
| Cottageville | Town | Mayor–council | Colleton | 701 | 762 | −8.0% | 3.416 | 8.85 | 205.2/sq mi (79.2/km2) |
| Coward | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Florence | 748 | 752 | −0.5% | 3.531 | 9.15 | 211.8/sq mi (81.8/km2) |
| Cowpens | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Spartanburg | 2,023 | 2,162 | −6.4% | 2.295 | 5.94 | 881.5/sq mi (340.3/km2) |
| Cross Hill | Town | Mayor–council | Laurens | 404 | 507 | −20.3% | 3.186 | 8.25 | 126.8/sq mi (49.0/km2) |
| Darlington† | City | Council–manager | Darlington | 6,149 | 6,289 | −2.2% | 4.638 | 12.01 | 1,325.8/sq mi (511.9/km2) |
| Denmark | City | Mayor–council | Bamberg | 3,186 | 3,538 | −9.9% | 3.906 | 10.12 | 815.7/sq mi (314.9/km2) |
| Dillon† | City | Council–manager | Dillon | 6,384 | 6,788 | −6.0% | 5.293 | 13.71 | 1,206.1/sq mi (465.7/km2) |
| Donalds | Town | Mayor–council | Abbeville | 328 | 348 | −5.7% | 0.832 | 2.15 | 394.2/sq mi (152.2/km2) |
| Due West | Town | Mayor–council | Abbeville | 1,219 | 1,247 | −2.2% | 1.635 | 4.23 | 745.6/sq mi (287.9/km2) |
| Duncan | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Spartanburg | 4,041 | 3,181 | +27.0% | 5.277 | 13.67 | 765.8/sq mi (295.7/km2) |
| Easley | City | Mayor–council | Pickens Anderson | 22,921 | 19,993 | +14.6% | 12.904 | 33.42 | 1,776.3/sq mi (685.8/km2) |
| Eastover | Town | Mayor–council | Richland | 614 | 813 | −24.5% | 1.214 | 3.14 | 505.8/sq mi (195.3/km2) |
| Edgefield† | Town | Mayor–council | Edgefield | 2,322 | 4,750 | −51.1% | 4.203 | 10.89 | 552.5/sq mi (213.3/km2) |
| Edisto Beach | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Colleton | 1,033 | 414 | +149.5% | 2.137 | 5.53 | 483.4/sq mi (186.6/km2) |
| Ehrhardt | Town | Mayor–council | Bamberg | 457 | 545 | −16.1% | 3.112 | 8.06 | 146.9/sq mi (56.7/km2) |
| Elgin | Town | Mayor–council | Kershaw | 1,634 | 1,311 | +24.6% | 1.081 | 2.80 | 1,511.6/sq mi (583.6/km2) |
| Elko | Town | Mayor–council | Barnwell | 140 | 193 | −27.5% | 1.049 | 2.72 | 133.5/sq mi (51.5/km2) |
| Elloree | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 570 | 692 | −17.6% | 1.014 | 2.63 | 562.1/sq mi (217.0/km2) |
| Estill | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Hampton | 1,821 | 2,040 | −10.7% | 3.23 | 8.4 | 563.8/sq mi (217.7/km2) |
| Eutawville | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 235 | 315 | −25.4% | 0.952 | 2.47 | 246.8/sq mi (95.3/km2) |
| Fairfax | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Allendale | 1,505 | 2,025 | −25.7% | 3.312 | 8.58 | 454.4/sq mi (175.4/km2) |
| Florence† | City | Council–manager | Florence | 39,899 | 37,056 | +7.7% | 23.395 | 60.59 | 1,662.7/sq mi (642.0/km2) |
| Folly Beach | City | Mayor–council | Charleston | 2,078 | 2,617 | −20.6% | 12.507 | 32.39 | 166.1/sq mi (64.1/km2) |
| Forest Acres | City | Council (weak mayor) | Richland | 10,617 | 10,361 | +2.5% | 4.603 | 11.92 | 2,306.5/sq mi (890.6/km2) |
| Fort Lawn | Town | Mayor–council | Chester | 962 | 895 | +7.5% | 1.393 | 3.61 | 690.6/sq mi (266.6/km2) |
| Fort Mill | Town | Council–manager | York | 24,521 | 10,811 | +126.8% | 19.641 | 50.87 | 1,248.5/sq mi (482.0/km2) |
| Fountain Inn | City | Mayor–council | Greenville Laurens | 10,416 | 7,799 | +33.6% | 8.224 | 21.30 | 1,266.5/sq mi (489.0/km2) |
| Furman | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Hampton | 224 | 239 | −6.3% | 3.118 | 8.08 | 71.8/sq mi (27.7/km2) |
| Gaffney† | City | Council (weak mayor) | Cherokee | 12,764 | 12,414 | +2.8% | 8.307 | 21.52 | 1,536.5/sq mi (593.3/km2) |
| Gaston | Town | Mayor–council | Lexington | 1,608 | 1,645 | −2.2% | 5.315 | 13.77 | 302.5/sq mi (116.8/km2) |
| Georgetown† | City | Mayor–council | Georgetown | 8,403 | 9,163 | −8.3% | 6.992 | 18.11 | 1,201.8/sq mi (464.0/km2) |
| Gifford | Town | Mayor–council | Hampton | 257 | 288 | −10.8% | 0.967 | 2.50 | 265.8/sq mi (102.6/km2) |
| Gilbert | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Lexington | 571 | 565 | +1.1% | 2.71 | 7.0 | 210.7/sq mi (81.4/km2) |
| Goose Creek | City | Mayor–council | Berkeley Charleston | 45,946 | 35,938 | +27.8% | 42.26 | 109.5 | 1,087.2/sq mi (419.8/km2) |
| Govan | Town | Mayor–council | Bamberg | 56 | 65 | −13.8% | 0.752 | 1.95 | 74.5/sq mi (28.8/km2) |
| Gray Court | Town | Mayor–council | Laurens | 763 | 795 | −4.0% | 1.839 | 4.76 | 414.9/sq mi (160.2/km2) |
| Great Falls | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Chester | 1,951 | 1,979 | −1.4% | 4.239 | 10.98 | 460.3/sq mi (177.7/km2) |
| Greeleyville | Town | Mayor–council | Williamsburg | 384 | 438 | −12.3% | 1.223 | 3.17 | 314.0/sq mi (121.2/km2) |
| Greenville† | City | Council–manager | Greenville | 70,720 | 58,409 | +21.1% | 29.762 | 77.08 | 2,376.2/sq mi (917.4/km2) |
| Greenwood† | City | Council–manager | Greenwood | 22,545 | 23,222 | −2.9% | 16.341 | 42.32 | 1,379.7/sq mi (532.7/km2) |
| Greer | City | Council (weak mayor) | Greenville Spartanburg | 35,308 | 25,515 | +38.4% | 23.545 | 60.98 | 1,499.6/sq mi (579.0/km2) |
| Hampton† | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Hampton | 2,694 | 2,808 | −4.1% | 4.513 | 11.69 | 596.9/sq mi (230.5/km2) |
| Hanahan | City | Council (weak mayor) | Berkeley | 20,325 | 17,997 | +12.9% | 10.531 | 27.28 | 1,930.0/sq mi (745.2/km2) |
| Hardeeville | City | Council–manager | Jasper | 7,473 | 2,952 | +153.2% | 56.712 | 146.88 | 131.8/sq mi (50.9/km2) |
| Harleyville | Town | Mayor–council | Dorchester | 666 | 677 | −1.6% | 1.057 | 2.74 | 630.1/sq mi (243.3/km2) |
| Hartsville | City | Council–manager | Darlington | 7,446 | 7,764 | −4.1% | 6.052 | 15.67 | 1,230.3/sq mi (475.0/km2) |
| Heath Springs | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Lancaster | 742 | 790 | −6.1% | 1.625 | 4.21 | 456.6/sq mi (176.3/km2) |
| Hemingway | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Williamsburg | 504 | 459 | +9.8% | 0.864 | 2.24 | 583.3/sq mi (225.2/km2) |
| Hickory Grove | Town | Mayor–council | York | 449 | 440 | +2.0% | 1.67 | 4.3 | 268.9/sq mi (103.8/km2) |
| Hilda | Town | Mayor–council | Barnwell | 418 | 447 | −6.5% | 3.07 | 8.0 | 136.2/sq mi (52.6/km2) |
| Hilton Head Island | Town | Council–manager | Beaufort | 37,661 | 37,099 | +1.5% | 41.353 | 107.10 | 910.7/sq mi (351.6/km2) |
| Hodges | Town | Mayor–council | Greenwood | 162 | 155 | +4.5% | 0.781 | 2.02 | 207.4/sq mi (80.1/km2) |
| Holly Hill | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 1,298 | 1,277 | +1.6% | 1.307 | 3.39 | 993.1/sq mi (383.4/km2) |
| Hollywood | Town | Mayor–council | Charleston | 5,339 | 4,714 | +13.3% | 23.534 | 60.95 | 226.9/sq mi (87.6/km2) |
| Honea Path | Town | Mayor–council | Anderson Abbeville | 3,686 | 3,597 | +2.5% | 3.514 | 9.10 | 1,048.9/sq mi (405.0/km2) |
| Inman | City | Council (weak mayor) | Spartanburg | 2,990 | 2,321 | +28.8% | 1.73 | 4.5 | 1,728.3/sq mi (667.3/km2) |
| Irmo | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Lexington Richland | 11,569 | 11,097 | +4.3% | 6.9 | 18 | 1,676.7/sq mi (647.4/km2) |
| Isle of Palms | City | Council (weak mayor) | Charleston | 4,347 | 4,133 | +5.2% | 4.436 | 11.49 | 979.9/sq mi (378.4/km2) |
| Iva | Town | Mayor–council | Anderson | 1,015 | 1,218 | −16.7% | 1.024 | 2.65 | 991.2/sq mi (382.7/km2) |
| Jackson | Town | Mayor–council | Aiken | 1,521 | 1,700 | −10.5% | 3.52 | 9.1 | 432.1/sq mi (166.8/km2) |
| James Island[a] | Town | Mayor–council | Charleston | 11,621 | — | — | 4.744 | 12.29 | 2,449.6/sq mi (945.8/km2) |
| Jamestown | Town | Mayor–council | Berkeley | 68 | 72 | −5.6% | 0.606 | 1.57 | 112.2/sq mi (43.3/km2) |
| Jefferson | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Chesterfield | 772 | 753 | +2.5% | 1.802 | 4.67 | 37.7/sq mi (14.6/km2) |
| Jenkinsville | Town | Mayor–council | Fairfield | 40 | 46 | −13.0% | 0.089 | 0.2 | 449.4/sq mi (173.5/km2) |
| Johnsonville | City | Council (weak mayor) | Florence | 1,378 | 1,480 | −6.9% | 2.114 | 5.48 | 651.8/sq mi (251.7/km2) |
| Johnston | Town | Mayor–council | Edgefield | 1,997 | 2,362 | −15.5% | 2.648 | 6.86 | 892.0/sq mi (344.4/km2) |
| Jonesville | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Union | 852 | 911 | −6.5% | 1.015 | 2.63 | 839.4/sq mi (324.1/km2) |
| Kershaw | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Lancaster | 1,693 | 1,803 | −6.1% | 2.07 | 5.4 | 817.9/sq mi (315.8/km2) |
| Kiawah Island | Town | Mayor–council | Charleston | 2,013 | 1,626 | +23.8% | 11.171 | 28.93 | 180.2/sq mi (69.6/km2) |
| Kingstree† | Town | Council–manager | Williamsburg | 3,244 | 3,328 | −2.5% | 3.18 | 8.2 | 1,020.1/sq mi (393.9/km2) |
| Kline | Town | Mayor–council | Barnwell | 148 | 197 | −24.9% | 3.106 | 8.04 | 47.6/sq mi (18.4/km2) |
| Lake City | City | Mayor–council | Florence | 5,903 | 6,675 | −11.6% | 5.341 | 13.83 | 1,105.2/sq mi (426.7/km2) |
| Lake View | Town | Mayor–council | Dillon | 764 | 807 | −5.3% | 1.694 | 4.39 | 451.0/sq mi (174.1/km2) |
| Lamar | Town | Mayor–council | Darlington | 862 | 989 | −12.8% | 1.225 | 3.17 | 703.7/sq mi (271.7/km2) |
| Lancaster† | City | Council (weak mayor) | Lancaster | 8,460 | 8,526 | −0.8% | 6.566 | 17.01 | 1,288.5/sq mi (497.5/km2) |
| Landrum | City | Council (weak mayor) | Spartanburg | 2,481 | 2,376 | +4.4% | 2.666 | 6.90 | 930.6/sq mi (359.3/km2) |
| Lane | Town | Mayor–council | Williamsburg | 472 | 508 | −7.1% | 3.95 | 10.2 | 119.5/sq mi (46.1/km2) |
| Latta | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Dillon | 1,296 | 1,379 | −6.0% | 1.096 | 2.84 | 1,182.5/sq mi (456.6/km2) |
| Laurens† | City | Mayor–council | Laurens | 9,335 | 9,139 | +2.1% | 9.841 | 25.49 | 948.6/sq mi (366.2/km2) |
| Lexington† | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Lexington | 23,568 | 17,870 | +31.9% | 11.838 | 30.66 | 1,990.9/sq mi (768.7/km2) |
| Liberty | City | Mayor–council | Pickens | 3,366 | 3,269 | +3.0% | 4.45 | 11.5 | 756.4/sq mi (292.0/km2) |
| Lincolnville | Town | Mayor–council | Charleston Dorchester | 1,147 | 1,139 | +0.7% | 1.169 | 3.03 | 981.2/sq mi (378.8/km2) |
| Little Mountain | Town | Mayor–council | Newberry | 249 | 291 | −14.4% | 1.52 | 3.9 | 163.8/sq mi (63.2/km2) |
| Livingston | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Orangeburg | 132 | 136 | −2.9% | 0.787 | 2.04 | 167.7/sq mi (64.8/km2) |
| Lockhart | Town | Mayor–council | Union | 384 | 488 | −21.3% | 0.305 | 0.8 | 1,259.0/sq mi (486.1/km2) |
| Lodge | Town | Mayor–council | Colleton | 82 | 120 | −31.7% | 3.144 | 8.14 | 26.1/sq mi (10.1/km2) |
| Loris | City | Council (weak mayor) | Horry | 2,449 | 2,396 | +2.2% | 4.553 | 11.79 | 537.9/sq mi (207.7/km2) |
| Lowndesville | Town | Mayor–council | Abbeville | 120 | 128 | −6.2% | 0.775 | 2.01 | 154.8/sq mi (59.8/km2) |
| Lowrys | Town | Mayor–council | Chester | 184 | 200 | −8.0% | 3.161 | 8.19 | 58.2/sq mi (22.5/km2) |
| Luray | Town | Mayor–council | Hampton | 98 | 127 | −22.8% | 1.033 | 2.68 | 94.9/sq mi (36.6/km2) |
| Lyman | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Spartanburg | 6,173 | 3,243 | +90.3% | 6.488 | 16.80 | 951.4/sq mi (367.4/km2) |
| Lynchburg | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Lee | 318 | 373 | −14.7% | 1.132 | 2.93 | 280.9/sq mi (108.5/km2) |
| McBee | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Chesterfield | 758 | 867 | −12.6% | 1.311 | 3.40 | 578.2/sq mi (223.2/km2) |
| McClellanville | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Charleston | 605 | 499 | +21.2% | 2.227 | 5.77 | 271.7/sq mi (104.9/km2) |
| McColl | Town | Mayor–council | Marlboro | 2,070 | 2,174 | −4.8% | 1.05 | 2.7 | 1,971.4/sq mi (761.2/km2) |
| McConnells | Town | Council (weak mayor) | York | 280 | 255 | +9.8% | 3.391 | 8.78 | 82.6/sq mi (31.9/km2) |
| McCormick† | Town | Mayor–council | McCormick | 2,232 | 2,783 | −19.8% | 4.052 | 10.49 | 550.8/sq mi (212.7/km2) |
| Manning† | City | Council (weak mayor) | Clarendon | 3,878 | 4,108 | −5.6% | 2.935 | 7.60 | 1,321.3/sq mi (510.2/km2) |
| Marion† | City | Mayor–council | Marion | 6,448 | 6,939 | −7.1% | 4.477 | 11.60 | 1,440.3/sq mi (556.1/km2) |
| Mauldin | City | Council (weak mayor) | Greenville | 24,724 | 22,889 | +8.0% | 12.068 | 31.26 | 2,048.7/sq mi (791.0/km2) |
| Mayesville | Town | Mayor–council | Sumter | 548 | 731 | −25.0% | 1.024 | 2.65 | 535.2/sq mi (206.6/km2) |
| Meggett | Town | Mayor–council | Charleston | 1,390 | 1,226 | +13.4% | 18.141 | 46.98 | 76.6/sq mi (29.6/km2) |
| Moncks Corner† | Town | Mayor–council | Berkeley | 13,297 | 7,885 | +68.6% | 11.371 | 29.45 | 1,169.4/sq mi (451.5/km2) |
| Monetta | Town | Mayor–council | Aiken Saluda | 205 | 236 | −13.1% | 0.69 | 1.8 | 297.1/sq mi (114.7/km2) |
| Mount Croghan | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Chesterfield | 135 | 195 | −30.8% | 0.759 | 1.97 | 177.9/sq mi (68.7/km2) |
| Mount Pleasant | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Charleston | 90,801 | 67,843 | +33.8% | 49.528 | 128.28 | 1,833.3/sq mi (707.9/km2) |
| Mullins | City | Council (weak mayor) | Marion | 4,026 | 4,663 | −13.7% | 3.021 | 7.82 | 1,332.7/sq mi (514.5/km2) |
| Myrtle Beach | City | Council–manager | Horry | 35,682 | 27,109 | +31.6% | 23.533 | 60.95 | 1,516.3/sq mi (585.4/km2) |
| Neeses | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 320 | 374 | −14.4% | 1.707 | 4.42 | 187.5/sq mi (72.4/km2) |
| Newberry† | City | Council–manager | Newberry | 10,691 | 10,277 | +4.0% | 8.991 | 23.29 | 1,189.1/sq mi (459.1/km2) |
| New Ellenton | City | Council (weak mayor) | Aiken | 2,210 | 2,052 | +7.7% | 4.44 | 11.5 | 497.7/sq mi (192.2/km2) |
| Nichols | Town | Mayor–council | Marion | 234 | 368 | −36.4% | 1.336 | 3.46 | 175.1/sq mi (67.6/km2) |
| Ninety Six | Town | Mayor–council | Greenwood | 2,076 | 1,998 | +3.9% | 1.822 | 4.72 | 1,139.4/sq mi (439.9/km2) |
| Norris | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Pickens | 741 | 813 | −8.9% | 1.884 | 4.88 | 393.3/sq mi (151.9/km2) |
| North | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 696 | 754 | −7.7% | 0.864 | 2.24 | 805.6/sq mi (311.0/km2) |
| North Augusta | City | Mayor–council | Aiken Edgefield | 24,379 | 21,348 | +14.2% | 21.262 | 55.07 | 1,146.6/sq mi (442.7/km2) |
| North Charleston | City | Mayor–council | Charleston Berkeley Dorchester | 114,852 | 97,471 | +17.8% | 77.646 | 201.10 | 1,479.2/sq mi (571.1/km2) |
| North Myrtle Beach | City | Council–manager | Horry | 18,790 | 13,752 | +36.6% | 21.717 | 56.25 | 865.2/sq mi (334.1/km2) |
| Norway | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 289 | 337 | −14.2% | 0.792 | 2.05 | 364.9/sq mi (140.9/km2) |
| Olanta | Town | Mayor–council | Florence | 550 | 563 | −2.3% | 0.995 | 2.58 | 552.8/sq mi (213.4/km2) |
| Olar | Town | Mayor–council | Bamberg | 215 | 257 | −16.3% | 0.785 | 2.03 | 273.9/sq mi (105.7/km2) |
| Orangeburg† | City | Council (weak mayor) | Orangeburg | 13,240 | 13,964 | −5.2% | 9.009 | 23.33 | 1,469.6/sq mi (567.4/km2) |
| Pacolet | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Spartanburg | 2,274 | 2,235 | +1.7% | 5.803 | 15.03 | 391.9/sq mi (151.3/km2) |
| Pageland | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Chesterfield | 2,456 | 2,760 | −11.0% | 4.324 | 11.20 | 568.0/sq mi (219.3/km2) |
| Pamplico | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Florence | 1,061 | 1,226 | −13.5% | 1.62 | 4.2 | 654.9/sq mi (252.9/km2) |
| Parksville | Town | Mayor–council | McCormick | 120 | 117 | +2.6% | 0.728 | 1.89 | 164.8/sq mi (63.6/km2) |
| Patrick | Town | Mayor–council | Chesterfield | 266 | 351 | −24.2% | 0.959 | 2.48 | 277.4/sq mi (107.1/km2) |
| Pawleys Island | Town | Mayor–council | Georgetown | 130 | 103 | +26.2% | 0.701 | 1.82 | 185.4/sq mi (71.6/km2) |
| Paxville | Town | Mayor–council | Clarendon | 232 | 185 | +25.4% | 1.051 | 2.72 | 220.7/sq mi (85.2/km2) |
| Peak | Town | Mayor–council | Newberry | 51 | 64 | −20.3% | 0.344 | 0.89 | 148.3/sq mi (57.2/km2) |
| Pelion | Town | Mayor–council | Lexington | 631 | 674 | −6.4% | 3.682 | 9.54 | 171.4/sq mi (66.2/km2) |
| Pelzer | Town | Mayor–council | Anderson | 1,344 | 89 | +1,410.1% | 0.914 | 2 | 1,470.5/sq mi (567.7/km2) |
| Pendleton | Town | Mayor–council | Anderson | 3,489 | 2,964 | +17.7% | 4.753 | 12.31 | 734.1/sq mi (283.4/km2) |
| Perry | Town | Mayor–council | Aiken | 194 | 233 | −16.7% | 0.958 | 2.48 | 202.5/sq mi (78.2/km2) |
| Pickens† | City | Council (weak mayor) | Pickens | 3,388 | 3,126 | +8.4% | 2.845 | 7.37 | 1,190.9/sq mi (459.8/km2) |
| Pine Ridge | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Lexington | 2,167 | 2,064 | +5.0% | 4.698 | 12.17 | 461.3/sq mi (178.1/km2) |
| Pinewood | Town | Mayor–council | Sumter | 503 | 538 | −6.5% | 1.071 | 2.77 | 469.7/sq mi (181.3/km2) |
| Plum Branch | Town | Mayor–council | McCormick | 72 | 82 | −12.2% | 0.362 | 0.9 | 198.9/sq mi (76.8/km2) |
| Pomaria | Town | Mayor–council | Newberry | 127 | 179 | −29.1% | 1.046 | 2.71 | 121.4/sq mi (46.9/km2) |
| Port Royal | Town | Council–manager | Beaufort | 14,220 | 10,678 | +33.2% | 16.965 | 43.94 | 838.2/sq mi (323.6/km2) |
| Prosperity | Town | Mayor–council | Newberry | 1,178 | 1,180 | −0.2% | 1.972 | 5.11 | 597.4/sq mi (230.6/km2) |
| Quinby | Town | Mayor–council | Florence | 915 | 932 | −1.8% | 1.307 | 3.39 | 700.1/sq mi (270.3/km2) |
| Ravenel | Town | Mayor–council | Charleston | 2,542 | 2,465 | +3.1% | 13.176 | 34.13 | 192.9/sq mi (74.5/km2) |
| Reevesville | Town | Mayor–council | Dorchester | 201 | 196 | +2.6% | 1.609 | 4.17 | 124.9/sq mi (48.2/km2) |
| Reidville | Town | Mayor–council | Spartanburg | 1,634 | 601 | +171.9% | 1.761 | 4.56 | 927.9/sq mi (358.3/km2) |
| Richburg | Town | Mayor–council | Chester | 280 | 275 | +1.8% | 0.876 | 2.27 | 319.6/sq mi (123.4/km2) |
| Ridgeland† | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Jasper | 3,758 | 4,036 | −6.9% | 48.34 | 125.2 | 77.7/sq mi (30.0/km2) |
| Ridge Spring | Town | Mayor–council | Saluda | 579 | 737 | −21.4% | 1.822 | 4.72 | 317.8/sq mi (122.7/km2) |
| Ridgeville | Town | Mayor–council | Dorchester | 1,672 | 1,979 | −15.5% | 1.796 | 4.65 | 931.0/sq mi (359.4/km2) |
| Ridgeway | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Fairfield | 266 | 319 | −16.6% | 0.485 | 1.26 | 548.5/sq mi (211.8/km2) |
| Rock Hill | City | Council–manager | York | 74,372 | 66,154 | +12.4% | 39.796 | 103.07 | 1,868.8/sq mi (721.6/km2) |
| Rockville | Town | Mayor–council | Charleston | 141 | 134 | +5.2% | 0.424 | 1.10 | 332.5/sq mi (128.4/km2) |
| Rowesville | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 253 | 304 | −16.8% | 0.834 | 2.16 | 303.4/sq mi (117.1/km2) |
| Ruby | Town | Mayor–council | Chesterfield | 307 | 360 | −14.7% | 2.469 | 6.39 | 124.3/sq mi (48.0/km2) |
| St. George† | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Dorchester | 1,843 | 2,084 | −11.6% | 2.846 | 7.37 | 647.6/sq mi (250.0/km2) |
| St. Matthews† | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Calhoun | 1,841 | 2,021 | −8.9% | 1.922 | 4.98 | 957.9/sq mi (369.8/km2) |
| St. Stephen | Town | Mayor–council | Berkeley | 1,571 | 1,697 | −7.4% | 2.419 | 6.27 | 649.4/sq mi (250.8/km2) |
| Salem | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Oconee | 120 | 135 | −11.1% | 0.915 | 2.37 | 131.1/sq mi (50.6/km2) |
| Salley | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Aiken | 329 | 398 | −17.3% | 0.766 | 1.98 | 429.5/sq mi (165.8/km2) |
| Saluda† | Town | Mayor–council | Saluda | 3,122 | 3,565 | −12.4% | 3.249 | 8.41 | 960.9/sq mi (371.0/km2) |
| Santee | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 797 | 961 | −17.1% | 2.1 | 5.4 | 379.5/sq mi (146.5/km2) |
| Scotia | Town | Mayor–council | Hampton | 158 | 215 | −26.5% | 3.165 | 8.20 | 49.9/sq mi (19.3/km2) |
| Scranton | Town | Mayor–council | Florence | 648 | 932 | −30.5% | 0.792 | 2.05 | 818.2/sq mi (315.9/km2) |
| Seabrook Island | Town | Mayor–council | Charleston | 2,050 | 1,714 | +19.6% | 5.938 | 15.38 | 345.2/sq mi (133.3/km2) |
| Sellers | Town | Mayor–council | Marion | 147 | 219 | −32.9% | 0.669 | 1.73 | 219.7/sq mi (84.8/km2) |
| Seneca | City | Mayor–council | Oconee | 8,850 | 8,102 | +9.2% | 8.195 | 21.22 | 1,079.9/sq mi (417.0/km2) |
| Sharon | Town | Mayor–council | York | 462 | 494 | −6.5% | 1.31 | 3.4 | 352.7/sq mi (136.2/km2) |
| Silverstreet | Town | Mayor–council | Newberry | 164 | 162 | +1.2% | 3.348 | 8.67 | 49.0/sq mi (18.9/km2) |
| Simpsonville | City | Council (weak mayor) | Greenville | 23,354 | 18,238 | +28.1% | 9.38 | 24.3 | 2,489.8/sq mi (961.3/km2) |
| Six Mile | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Pickens | 759 | 675 | +12.4% | 2.038 | 5.28 | 372.4/sq mi (143.8/km2) |
| Smoaks | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Colleton | 98 | 126 | −22.2% | 1.63 | 4.2 | 60.1/sq mi (23.2/km2) |
| Smyrna | Town | Mayor–council | York Cherokee | 55 | 45 | +22.2% | 0.706 | 1.83 | 77.9/sq mi (30.1/km2) |
| Snelling | Town | Mayor–council | Barnwell | 250 | 274 | −8.8% | 4.036 | 10.45 | 61.9/sq mi (23.9/km2) |
| Society Hill | Town | Mayor–council | Darlington | 438 | 563 | −22.2% | 2.192 | 5.68 | 199.8/sq mi (77.1/km2) |
| South Congaree | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Lexington | 2,377 | 2,306 | +3.1% | 3.288 | 8.52 | 722.9/sq mi (279.1/km2) |
| Spartanburg† | City | Council–manager | Spartanburg | 38,732 | 37,013 | +4.6% | 20.253 | 52.46 | 1,912.4/sq mi (738.4/km2) |
| Springdale | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Lexington | 2,744 | 2,636 | +4.1% | 2.704 | 7.00 | 1,014.8/sq mi (391.8/km2) |
| Springfield | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 455 | 524 | −13.2% | 1.739 | 4.50 | 261.6/sq mi (101.0/km2) |
| Starr | Town | Mayor–council | Anderson | 165 | 173 | −4.6% | 1.498 | 3.88 | 110.1/sq mi (42.5/km2) |
| Stuckey | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Williamsburg | 200 | 245 | −18.4% | 0.935 | 2.42 | 213.9/sq mi (82.6/km2) |
| Sullivan's Island | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Charleston | 1,891 | 1,791 | +5.6% | 2.498 | 6.47 | 757.0/sq mi (292.3/km2) |
| Summerton | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Clarendon | 814 | 1,000 | −18.6% | 1.354 | 3.51 | 601.2/sq mi (232.1/km2) |
| Summerville | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Dorchester Berkeley Charleston | 50,915 | 43,392 | +17.3% | 21.646 | 56.06 | 2,352.2/sq mi (908.2/km2) |
| Summit | Town | Mayor–council | Lexington | 423 | 402 | +5.2% | 1.489 | 3.86 | 284.1/sq mi (109.7/km2) |
| Sumter† | City | Council–manager | Sumter | 43,463 | 40,524 | +7.3% | 32.794 | 84.94 | 1,325.3/sq mi (511.7/km2) |
| Surfside Beach | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Horry | 4,155 | 3,837 | +8.3% | 1.948 | 5.05 | 2,133.0/sq mi (823.5/km2) |
| Swansea | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Lexington | 722 | 827 | −12.7% | 2.087 | 5.41 | 346.0/sq mi (133.6/km2) |
| Sycamore | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Allendale | 147 | 180 | −18.3% | 3.171 | 8.21 | 46.4/sq mi (17.9/km2) |
| Tatum | Town | Mayor–council | Marlboro | 76 | 75 | +1.3% | 0.908 | 2.35 | 83.7/sq mi (32.3/km2) |
| Tega Cay | City | Council–manager | York | 12,832 | 7,620 | +68.4% | 4.488 | 11.62 | 2,859.2/sq mi (1,103.9/km2) |
| Timmonsville | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Florence | 2,099 | 2,320 | −9.5% | 2.777 | 7.19 | 755.9/sq mi (291.8/km2) |
| Travelers Rest | City | Council (weak mayor) | Greenville | 7,788 | 4,576 | +70.2% | 6.232 | 16.14 | 1,249.7/sq mi (482.5/km2) |
| Trenton | Town | Mayor–council | Edgefield | 200 | 196 | +2.0% | 1.261 | 3.27 | 158.6/sq mi (61.2/km2) |
| Troy | Town | Mayor–council | Greenwood | 83 | 93 | −10.8% | 0.799 | 2.07 | 103.9/sq mi (40.1/km2) |
| Turbeville | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Clarendon | 760 | 766 | −0.8% | 1.34 | 3.5 | 567.2/sq mi (219.0/km2) |
| Ulmer | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Allendale | 65 | 88 | −26.1% | 2.739 | 7.09 | 23.7/sq mi (9.2/km2) |
| Union† | City | Mayor–council | Union | 8,174 | 8,393 | −2.6% | 7.979 | 20.67 | 1,024.4/sq mi (395.5/km2) |
| Vance | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 128 | 170 | −24.7% | 0.507 | 1.31 | 252.5/sq mi (97.5/km2) |
| Van Wyck[b] | Town | Mayor–council | Lancaster | 848 | — | — | 10.034 | 25.99 | 84.5/sq mi (32.6/km2) |
| Varnville | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Hampton | 1,669 | 2,162 | −22.8% | 3.832 | 9.92 | 435.5/sq mi (168.2/km2) |
| Wagener | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Aiken | 631 | 797 | −20.8% | 1.34 | 3.5 | 470.9/sq mi (181.8/km2) |
| Walhalla† | City | Council (weak mayor) | Oconee | 4,072 | 4,263 | −4.5% | 3.885 | 10.06 | 1,048.1/sq mi (404.7/km2) |
| Walterboro† | City | Council–manager | Colleton | 5,544 | 5,398 | +2.7% | 6.844 | 17.73 | 810.1/sq mi (312.8/km2) |
| Ward | Town | Mayor–council | Saluda | 119 | 91 | +30.8% | 0.776 | 2.01 | 153.4/sq mi (59.2/km2) |
| Ware Shoals | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Greenwood Abbeville Laurens | 1,701 | 2,170 | −21.6% | 3.277 | 8.49 | 519.1/sq mi (200.4/km2) |
| Waterloo | Town | Mayor–council | Laurens | 149 | 166 | −10.2% | 1.783 | 4.62 | 83.6/sq mi (32.3/km2) |
| Wellford | City | Mayor–council | Spartanburg | 3,293 | 2,378 | +38.5% | 4.578 | 11.86 | 719.3/sq mi (277.7/km2) |
| West Columbia | City | Council (weak mayor) | Lexington | 17,416 | 14,988 | +16.2% | 9.173 | 23.76 | 1,898.6/sq mi (733.1/km2) |
| Westminster | City | Council (weak mayor) | Oconee | 2,353 | 2,418 | −2.7% | 3.446 | 8.93 | 682.8/sq mi (263.6/km2) |
| West Pelzer | Town | Mayor–council | Anderson | 962 | 880 | +9.3% | 0.525 | 1.36 | 1,832.4/sq mi (707.5/km2) |
| West Union | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Oconee | 374 | 291 | +28.5% | 0.793 | 2.05 | 471.6/sq mi (182.1/km2) |
| Whitmire | Town | Mayor–council | Newberry | 1,390 | 1,441 | −3.5% | 1.238 | 3.21 | 1,122.8/sq mi (433.5/km2) |
| Williams | Town | Mayor–council | Colleton | 98 | 117 | −16.2% | 0.847 | 2.19 | 115.7/sq mi (44.7/km2) |
| Williamston | Town | Mayor–council | Anderson | 4,043 | 3,934 | +2.8% | 3.689 | 9.55 | 1,096.0/sq mi (423.2/km2) |
| Williston | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Barnwell | 2,877 | 3,139 | −8.3% | 8.953 | 23.19 | 321.3/sq mi (124.1/km2) |
| Windsor | Town | Mayor–council | Aiken | 115 | 121 | −5.0% | 0.874 | 2.26 | 131.6/sq mi (50.8/km2) |
| Winnsboro† | Town | Council–manager | Fairfield | 3,215 | 3,550 | −9.4% | 3.228 | 8.36 | 996.0/sq mi (384.5/km2) |
| Woodford | Town | Mayor–council | Orangeburg | 161 | 185 | −13.0% | 0.785 | 2.03 | 205.1/sq mi (79.2/km2) |
| Woodruff | City | Council–manager | Spartanburg | 4,212 | 4,090 | +3.0% | 5.063 | 13.11 | 831.9/sq mi (321.2/km2) |
| Yemassee | Town | Council (weak mayor) | Beaufort Hampton | 1,080 | 1,027 | +5.2% | 8.106 | 20.99 | 133.2/sq mi (51.4/km2) |
| York† | City | Council–manager | York | 8,503 | 7,736 | +9.9% | 8.48 | 22.0 | 1,002.7/sq mi (387.1/km2) |
| Total municipalities | — | — | — | 1,885,391 | 1,635,791 | +15.3% | 1,874.156 | 4,854.04 | 1,006.0/sq mi (388.4/km2) |
| South Carolina | — | — | — | 5,118,425 | 4,625,364 | +10.7%[1] | 30,060.70 | 77,856.9 | 170.3/sq mi (65.7/km2) |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)