South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

We promote and protect the health of the public and the environment.

• Minority Groups
• Health Disparities
• Partnerships
• Initiatives
• Contact Minority Health

Minority Groups

Roughly 1.4 million South Carolina residents, or nearly 34% of the state's population, belong to racial and ethnic minority groups. Each racial and ethnic minority group is internally diverse--within each major group you can find subgroups with different languages, cultures or backgrounds.

Population Growth

South Carolina’s population continues to increase. The majority of this growth is in racial/ethnic minority population groups. Since 1970, the number of people belonging to racial/ethnic minorities in the state has increased by over 70%. Over 98% of these individuals are African American (1.2 million South Carolinians). However, in the past decade, the greatest percent increase in growth occurred among Hispanics/Latinos in the state.

Based upon recent Census data for the state, in the past decade:

• The Hispanic population has more than doubled
• The Asian population has increased by 65%
• The American Indian population has increased by 66%
• The African American or Black population has increased by 14%

For Additional Information

• South Carolina Community Assessment Network (SCAN)