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South Carolina: homes, climate zones and who licenses the work

South Carolina has 2.4 million housing units. 32.8% were built before 1980, and the median year built is 1992. 71.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners.

How old the homes are

South Carolina housing units, by year built

Layers drawn to scale

South Carolina housing units by year built 32.8% of South Carolina housing units were built before 1980 and 67.2% in 1980 or later. 2020 or later: 3.7%; 2010–2019: 14.8%; 2000–2009: 18.2%; 1990–1999: 16.2%; 1980–1989: 14.3%; 1970–1979: 12.7%; 1960–1969: 7.9%; 1950–1959: 6.0%; 1940–1949: 2.6%; 1939 or earlier: 3.6%. Before 1980 32.8% 1980 or later 67.2% 2020 or later 3.7% 2010–2019 14.8% 2000–2009 18.2% 1990–1999 16.2% 1980–1989 14.3% 1970–1979 12.7% 1960–1969 7.9% 1950–1959 6.0% 1940–1949 2.6% 1939 or earlier 3.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25034, B25035 and B25003; heating fuel below from B25040.

Age changes what applies to a house. In general, anyone paid to do work that disturbs painted surfaces in a home built before 1978 must be certified in lead-safe work practices under the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which the EPA administers directly in South Carolina.

How homes are heated

How homes in South Carolina are heated

Main heating fuel, share of 2.1 million occupied homes

  • Electricity 70.8%
  • Utility gas 23.6%
  • Propane or other tank gas 3.5%
  • No fuel used 0.7%
  • Wood 0.5%
  • Fuel oil or kerosene 0.5%
  • Solar energy 0.2%
  • Other fuel 0.1%
  • Coal or coke <0.1%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, table B25040 (occupied housing units).

Climate and building zones

The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code assigns every county a climate zone from 1 to 8 and a moisture regime: A for moist, B for dry, C for marine. Zones 7 and 8 have no letter. Here is how South Carolina's residents divide among them, by the county they live in.

IECC 2021 zoneShare of residentsCounties
3A95.7%44
2A4.3%2

ENERGY STAR rates windows, doors and skylights for four climate zones of its own. South Carolina spans 2: South-Central (95.7% of residents), Southern (4.3% of residents).

By NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, counties here average 47 days a year with a low of 32°F or colder, weighted by where people live. The range runs from 6 days in the mildest county to 93 in the coldest.

Flood risk and flood insurance

6.1% of residential structures in South Carolina carry a National Flood Insurance Program policy: 121,413 policies, in FEMA's count as of August 3, 2026.

In FEMA's National Risk Index, 2 of 46 counties rate high or very high for riverine flooding; 4 of 46 counties rate high or very high for coastal flooding; 15 of 46 counties rate high or very high for hurricanes.

Fire ants and termites

All 46 of South Carolina's counties are inside the federal imported fire ant quarantine. The federal quarantine requires a certificate to move soil, sod, nursery plants with soil attached, used soil-moving equipment, and hay or straw stored on the ground out of the quarantined area.

Who licenses the work in South Carolina

Before anyone starts work, check the license with the agency below. Where the state does not license a trade, cities and counties may; ask the one where the house is.

Checked 2026-09-29. Licensing rules change; the agency's own page is the authority.

Sources

  1. U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25034, B25035, B25040 and B25003 data.census.gov
  2. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Guide to Determining Climate Zone by County: Building America and IECC 2021 Updates basc.pnnl.gov
  3. U.S. Department of Energy Prototype Building Models (climate zones 1–8 and moisture regimes A, B, C) energycodes.gov
  4. ENERGY STAR Climate zones by county for windows, doors and skylights energystar.gov
  5. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual and seasonal ncei.noaa.gov
  6. Federal Emergency Management Agency OpenFEMA NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (as of 2026-08-03) fema.gov
  7. Federal Emergency Management Agency National Risk Index, county ratings fema.gov
  8. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Imported fire ant quarantine map aphis.usda.gov
  9. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations 7 CFR part 301, subpart P, Imported Fire Ant ecfr.gov
  10. Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation clemson.edu clemson.edu
  11. South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) scstatehouse.gov scstatehouse.gov
  12. scstatehouse.gov scstatehouse.gov scstatehouse.gov
  13. epa.gov epa.gov epa.gov