The 2020 Census results are in, and the growth is real. Greenville’s population exceeded expectations and now stands at 70,720 residents, up 19.2% from 2010, according to new data.
Why is this happening now?
Every 10 years, the US Census Bureau collects nationwide population and demographic data, which is used to redraw congressional and state legislative district lines + determine federal spending.
What did we find?
- Greenville County remains South Carolina’s largest county, accounting for 525,534 residents.
- Over the past decade, Greenville County’s Hispanic and Latino population grew 59% + its Asian population grew 46.7%.
- Greenville County’s population growth in this census exceeded expectations by around 2,000 residents.
- Greenville’s total housing units — occupied + unoccupied houses, condos, apartments, and mobile homes — increased 44.1%.
- The growth spurs beyond Greenville: Spartanburg County’s population grew 12.5% over the past decade, bringing the total population to over 327,997 residents. Additionally, Anderson County’s population jumped 8.4%, from just over 202,500 residents to 203,718.
Why does this matter?
Redistricting, or the process of redrawing council and school districts, is completed every 10 years after the US Census is finalized. New voting district boundaries must be balanced by population and follow traditional redistricting criteria.
With the census data now available, the state of South Carolina is getting ready to review the 7 US House districts, 46 state Senate districts, and 124 House districts. Stay up-to-date on the redistricting committee here.
