America's fastest-growing state will add another million residents in the next 20 years - thanks to low living costs and scenic views

America's fastest growing state is expected to welcome another million residents over the next two decades.

South Carolina is predicted to see its population soar to 6.4 million by 2042, according to latest projections.

The state boasts a strong jobs market which recovered quickly from the pandemic and relatively low cost of living which has already been attracting droves of new residents.

The trend looks forecast to continue, with some experts suggesting the increase could be an underestimate. 

The boom will likely be mostly concentrated in just five counties, with most actually seeing the number of residents go down.

South Carolina is predicted to see its population soar to 6.4 million by 2042, according to latest projections

The biggest influx is forecast for Horry County, with an expected  53 percent gain equivalent to 216,662 more residents, the Post and Courier reports.

The coastal county has long been the state's fastest growing and ties in with trends for all seaside counties in South Carolina which are forecast to expand.

Additionally, Berkeley, Jasper, Lancaster and Spartanburg counties are predicted to swell by between 49 and 51 percent.

South Carolina is the 23rd largest state in the country and grew by the fastest percent change in population from 2022 to 2023. 

It recorded a slightly negative birth rate, which means the increased population was due to people moving to the state. 

Many new residents have been drawn in by the low cost of living, which is six percent less than the national average and as well as the state's thriving economy.

Housing is around a fifth lower than across the US, while the state also boasts stunning natural beauty making it easy to snap up a bargain home with scenic views. 

Despite the projected growth 25 of South Carolina's 46 counties are actually expected to see the number of residents fall.

The boom will likely be mostly concentrated in just five counties, with most actually seeing the number of residents go down

Rural counties are most likely to see population contractions, with a dozen predicted to have less than 20,000 residents by 2042. 

Among them is Allendale County which is expected to lose half its population, leaving just 3,515 people. 

'We hope policy leaders and the private sector will find this information useful to help plan for the future,' said Frank Rainwater, executive director of the state Department of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs. 

'The population is the key driver to what's affecting local areas.' 

The prediction estimates that South Carolina's population will expand by 19 percent compared to 2024 in the next 20 years. 

South Carolina's last population forecasts were done in 2019. Previous attempts to model growth resulted in underestimates.

In 2003, Clermiston University said that the Charleston metro area's population would reach almost 80,000 by 2030. 

South Carolina is the 23rd largest state in the country and grew by the fastest percent change in population from 2022 to 2023

However, the milestone was reached a decade earlier than forecast. 

A rapid expansion in population is generally viewed as positive but can cause strain on services and infrastructure.

Some local governments have already approved measures to curb the growth, with others imposing fees to help temper the impact. 

As with all projections, the latest figures are caveated with the understanding that they may be altered by factors such as new jobs, extreme weather events or migration changes.