South Carolina Mortality Rates

Updated March 28, 2023

Life Insurance, Mortality Rates by State

Mortality Rates in South Carolina

South Carolina Population: 5,148,714 (23rd highest)
Population Density: 167.01 per square mile (19th most dense)
Median Age: 40.1 (12th oldest)
Deaths Per Year: 50,640
Annual Deaths Per 100,000: 996.0
Life Expectancy at Birth: 76.5
Fertility Rate (births per 1,000 women age 15-44): 58 (22^nd lowest rate)

Leading Causes of Death in South Carolina

Cause of Death	Deaths Per Year	Deaths Per 100,000	National Rank
Heart Disease	10,579	164	19th
Cancer	10,487	154	14th
Accidents (includes vehicle accidents)	3,336	62.1	11th
Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma)	2,899	43.1	21st
Stroke	2,703	42.2	6th
Alzheimer’s Disease	2,323	37.9	11th
Diabetes	1,610	24.4	13th
Kidney Disease (nephritis, nephrosis, nephrotic syndrome)	1,010	15.6	15th
Septicemia	896	13.6	8th
Liver Disease / Cirrhosis	826	12.8	18th
Pneumonia + Flu	686	10.8	38th
Suicide	852	16.2	24th
Drug Overdose	1,127	22.7	22nd
Homicide	527	11	5th

Population Statistics

Over the past twenty years, South Carolina has added more than a million new residents. The state’s 11.3% rate of population growth during the last decade is 10^th highest among U.S. states and nearly double the overall national rate. Even so, South Carolina’s fertility rate is below the overall rate nationally and 22^nd lowest in the U.S. (tied with Georgia).

With a median age of 40.1 years, South Carolina is tied with Michigan for 12^th oldest state.

South Carolina’s overall annual mortality rate per 100,000 population is the nation’s 11^th highest in real terms and when adjusted for population age. At 76.5 years, South Carolina’s life expectancy at birth is 9^th

South Carolina’s infant mortality rate is the nation’s 9^th highest, at 6.97 deaths per 1,000 live births (tied with Ohio). South Carolina has the 7^th and 8^th highest rates of low-birthweight and preterm births, respectively.

Health Conditions

South Carolina has the nation’s 6^th highest mortality rate due to stroke and 8^th highest for septicemia (blood poisoning illnesses). While South Carolina’s death rates are above the national average for most health-related causes of death, the state’s annual pneumonia and flu mortality rate is consistently well-below the national rate.

For these reasons and more, we here at IBUSA will typically try to help applicants from South Carolina first qualify for term life insurance with no exam.

For those that won’t be able to qualify for such a policy, getting life insurance with a top company requiring a medical exam is still a viable option.

Finally, some people with pre-existing conditions may need to consider final expense insurance as an alternative.

Homicides, Suicides and Firearms

With a rate of 11 homicides per 100,000 people, South Carolina has the nation’s 5^th highest homicide rate and is consistently among the top ten states for violent crime. South Carolina’s suicide rate is closer to the middle at 22^nd highest, though still well-above the national rate. For all firearm-related deaths, South Carolina ranks 8^th

Lifestyle Choices

Adults in South Carolina have the 10^th highest rate of obesity and 17^th highest rate of smoking (tied with Montana).

Covid

Through August, 2021, South Carolina’s COVID-19 mortality rate of 194 per 100,000 is 21^st highest in the U.S. and about 5% above the national rate.

Driving

South Carolina’s vehicle mortality rate of 19.3 per 100,000 makes it the nation’s 3^rd most dangerous state for motorists (behind Mississippi and Alabama). For this reason alone we’ll often recommend that our clients at least consider purchasing an additional accidental death policy as a way to supplement any traditional life insurance coverage they may already have.