The Census Bureau released population data for 2024-2025 recently. In the metro area, Aiken County in South Carolina and Columbia County in Georgia grew by more than 5,000 residents. McDuffie County in Georgia lost 103 persons.
The Census Bureau could also break down how much of these changes were due to natural changes (births and deaths) and how much was due to migration, both domestic and international.
For Aiken County, most of the population change was due to migration (+2,752), of which only 81 persons were international migrants. Similarly, in Columbia County, net migration was 1,422, but almost a third were international migrants. McDuffie County’s loss was about equally split between natural change and outmigration.
Overall, three counties (Aiken, Columbia, and Richmond) saw positive natural change of between 400 and 500 persons. McDuffie and Richmond saw net out-migration. In Richmond County, the out-migration was just cancelled out by the natural change to leave an increase in population of just 15 persons. Despite the current immigration policies being pursued at the federal level, only Burke County saw a decline in international migration, and then just 3 people. Richmond County lost 667 domestic residents to other counties, not necessarily in the metro area.
Over the last five years, Aiken County and Columbia County have seen the largest increase in population, with Edgefield County in third place. Burke County and Richmond County have lost residents over the last five years.
Over the last five years, only Columbia and Richmond counties have seen a natural increase in their population, while all counties, except Richmond, saw positive net migration. All counties saw positive new international migration.
Overall, these new numbers confirm the dominance of Aiken and Columbia counties in population growth, with Edgefield also contributing. Population is continuing to grow locally, but is reliant on net migration to compensate for deaths exceeding births in several counties.
These changes reflect some national trends, such as declining birth rates and increased longevity. Also, South Carolina was one of the states highlighted in news releases around this data for population growth: both Myrtle Beach and Spartanburg were top 3 metro areas nationwide for percent growth.
