4. RACIAL COMPOSITION

Definition: The information below presents the racial composition of South Carolina, the United States, and the Southeast. 

Significance: The racial composition of a society can impact various indicators as well. Racial and ethnic composition, as McFalls, Jr. points out, “impact on almost every aspect of American society, from social values and culture to education, politics, and industry.”[i] South Carolina, as can be seen from the graph below, is dominated by two large racial categories: white (68.63%) and black (28.73%) in 2007. Following the United States Office of Management and Budget Directive 15, the U.S. Census Bureau has five racial categories: White, Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian and Pacific Islander, and other.[ii]  In contrast to South Carolina, the United States as a whole is slightly more racially diverse. In the graph below, API represents Asian and Pacific Islander, while AIAN represents American Indian and Alaska Native.

Analysis, South Carolina Racial Composition

Source: United States Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Analysis, United States Racial Composition

Source: United States Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Analysis, Southeastern Racial Composition

Data reflect the racial composition of the populations of South Carolina (SC), the United States (US), and the Southeast (SE).  The southeast region consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Source: United States Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Rev. 05.02.08