35 Fun Facts About South Carolina

South Carolina is a beautiful state in the Southeastern United States. The Carolinas offer mountains and beaches and vibrant cities in between. We’ve created this list of fun facts about South Carolina to help you learn a little more about the Palmetto state.

35 Fun Facts About South Carolina

For starters, did you know that the two Carolinas share a more than 300-mile-long border? Most of us probably think that all state borders were settled more than a century ago, but that’s not the case.

North and South Carolina started an effort to re-establish their shared border in 1995. The states didn’t finalize the effort until 2013! Apparently, there was litigious confusion before this effort.

How is that for a fun fact about South Carolina? Well, we’re just getting started.

History and Landmarks:

The Carolinas offer a rich history that is a cause for both reflection and celebration. Certainly, there were some dark moments with bloody disagreements. And you can still see the ripple effects of the Civil War today. Still, South Carolina boasts beautiful geography and landmarks it is proud to preserve.

Here are a few fun facts about South Carolina’s history:

1. South Carolina was the eighth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on May 23, 1788.
2. Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina and was founded in 1670.
3. The first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor on April 12, 1861.
4. The Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island is estimated to be around 400 years old. It is one of the oldest living things east of the Mississippi.
5. The USS Yorktown, an aircraft carrier used in World War II, is now a museum ship in Charleston Harbor.

Natural Beauty:

From palmetto trees to beautiful beaches, South Carolina is truly a gorgeous state. Whether you are planning a visit to South Carolina or you live in the great state, we can all agree it offers a certain serenity that is hard to find.

Here are more fun facts related to the state’s natural beauty:

6. South Carolina has over 187 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. This includes beaches like Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island.
7. Congaree National Park is located in central South Carolina. It is home to the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States.
8. The Liberty Bridge over The Reedy River Falls was constructed in 1990. The bridge opening turned downtown Greenville into a popular spot for visitors to take photos and enjoy the area’s natural beauty.
9. Table Rock State Park, a popular spot for hiking and scenic views, is 3,000 acres.
10. The Cooper River Bridge, connecting Charleston and Mount Pleasant, opened as the longest cable-stayed bridge of its kind in North America. It was also the tallest structure in South Carolina.

Food and Drink:

South Carolina is known for delicious cuisine ranging from BBQ to seafood. And if you ask for tea, you better be prepared for a tall glass of sweet tea. All we can say is that we love trips to the coast for the beaches and for the food.

Here are a few South Carolina fun facts related to food:

11. South Carolina is known for its mustard-based barbecue sauce, which is a signature flavor in the state’s barbecue cuisine.
12. Shrimp and grits, a classic southern dish, originated in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina.
13. South Carolina is the birthplace of sweet tea, a staple of southern cuisine.
14. There is close to 18,000 acres of peach orchards in South Carolina
15. South Carolina harvests more than 200 million pounds of peaches most years.

Culture and Traditions:

South Carolina has a rich history, and while the state gets a bad reputation because of its history with plantations and being a first-mover in the Civil War, there is still much to appreciate. Often, the richest histories are complicated, and so is the case with South Carolina.

Here are some fun facts related to South Carolina Culture and Traditions:

16. South Carolina is famous for its traditional Gullah Geechee cuisine, which is a blend of African, European, and Native American influences.
17. The state’s musical heritage includes gospel, blues, and bluegrass, as well as beach music, a genre of popular music that originated in the state in the 1950s.
18. The Spoleto Festival USA, held annually in Charleston, is one of the largest performing arts festivals in the country. It features a variety of music, dance, and theater performances.
19. South Carolina is also home to numerous historic plantations, including Boone Hall Plantation, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, and Middleton Place.
20. The state has a rich literary history, with authors like Pat Conroy, Dorothea Benton Frank, and James Dickey all hailing from or living in South Carolina.

Sports and Recreation:

If there is one knock on South Carolina, it’s likely that it doesn’t offer much in the way of professional sports. Still, Charlotte is just a few miles from the South Carolina border, and there are plenty of things to do in Charlotte, including attending professional sporting events.

21. The Masters’ golf tournament, one of the most prestigious events in the sport, is held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, which is just across the border from South Carolina.
22. The state is also home to numerous golf courses, including Kiawah Island Golf Resort, which has hosted the Ryder Cup and PGA Championship.
23. South Carolina is a popular destination for hunting and fishing, with opportunities to catch a variety of game fish in the state’s lakes and rivers.
24. The state has a few minor-league professional sports teams, including the Charleston Battery (USL Championship). And despite the fact that the Carolina Panthers attempted headquarters failed in Rock Hill, many South Carolinians still root for the NFL team just north of the state border.
25. The Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 22-mile multi-use trail that runs from Greenville to Travelers Rest, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to hike, bike, or jog. Greenville is one of our favorite cities, so add the city and trail to your list of to-do road trips.

10 More Random South Carolina Fun Facts

That’s not all. We are having too much fun compiling this list to stop at 25, so we added ten more. Here are more interesting facts about South Carolina:

26. The state’s official nickname is the “Palmetto State” due to the abundance of palmetto trees.
27. South Carolina has a state dance, the “Carolina Shag,” which is a type of swing dance that originated in Myrtle Beach in the 1940s.
28. South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters.
29. The state’s official bird is the Carolina wren.
30. The state’s official snack food is boiled peanuts, which are often sold at roadside stands and gas stations.
31. South Carolina is home to several military bases, including Fort Jackson and Shaw Air Force Base.
32. The state’s official insect is the Carolina mantid.
33. South Carolina borders North Carolina to the north, Georgia to the south and west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
34. South Carolina is the 40th largest state in the United States.
35. South Carolina is home to the first tea farm in the United States. The Charleston Tea Garden on Wadmalaw Island is the only operating tea garden in North America and produces tea that is sold worldwide.

Fun Facts About South Carolina Galore

The state of South Carolina has plenty to offer, from beaches to historic landmarks and buildings. It is also the home of mustard-style barbecue and sweet tea, not to mention shrimp and grits.

Interested in learning more? We also compiled a list of quotes for South Carolina, which will give you further insight into South Carolina vibes.

Hopefully, you enjoyed our list of fun facts about South Carolina as much as we enjoyed putting it together. One of the most interesting facts is that South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860, leading to the Civil War.

That fact influences many others on our list, but the state is much more dynamic and interesting and offers beautiful getaways and great-tasting food. South Carolina is a serene state, and whether you are looking to visit or already call South Carolina home, we hope you enjoy the palmettos and sunshine. 😎