Home internet in South Carolina
2,177,733 households, 9% of them with no internet subscription and 6.5% on satellite: that is the South Carolina picture from the 2023 Census. Below, what it means for the plans you can expect, and a ZIP check against the 46 South Carolina ZIP codes our agents can serve.
- 91% of South Carolina households have an internet subscription; 9% have none (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023).
- Wired broadband reaches 74.4% of households, 1.9 points below the national figure of 76.3%.
- Our call line covers 46 ZIP codes in South Carolina, including Columbia, Greenville and Charleston.
What the numbers say about internet in South Carolina
| Households, 2023 | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|
| With an internet subscription | 91% | 92.2% |
| Wired broadband (cable, fiber or DSL) | 74.4% | 76.3% |
| Cellular data plan only | 13% | 11.9% |
| Satellite internet | 6.5% | 6.6% |
| No internet subscription | 9% | 7.8% |
| No computer in the home | 4.6% | 3.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 1-year estimates, table S2801. South Carolina: 2,177,733 households. United States figure is the household-weighted average of the 50 states and DC. Shares overlap because a home can have more than one type of subscription.
Among the 50 states and DC, South Carolina ranks 35th for the share of homes with a wired line, 38th for the smallest share of homes with no internet, and 29th for satellite use.
What usually reaches a South Carolina address
74.4% of households in South Carolina have a wired connection (cable, fiber or DSL), 1.9 points below the national figure of 76.3%. In the larger cities and suburbs a wired plan is the normal choice; further out, the mix shifts toward wireless and satellite.
Phone-only homes are common in South Carolina: 13% of households, 1.1 points above the national figure of 11.9%. If the signal indoors is good, a 5G home router gives the same network to every device in the house; the 5G home page explains the trade-offs.
Satellite serves 6.5% of South Carolina households, about the same as the national figure: enough to matter at the edges of the map, not enough to be the default anywhere. Check the land-based options first.
About 9% of homes in South Carolina have no internet subscription, 1.2 points above the national figure of 7.8%. If price is the barrier, start with the low-income help guide, then the lower your bill guide for the plan you do order.
For what each type is like to live with, see fiber, cable, 5G home, fixed wireless, DSL and satellite, or the side-by-side table.
Check a South Carolina ZIP code
Our call line covers 46 ZIP codes in South Carolina, including addresses in Columbia, Greenville, Charleston, Mount Pleasant, North Augusta, Ballentine, Blythewood and Cayce. Enter your ZIP below: if it is on the list, the call button stays live and the agent checks the lines on your street; if it is not, the guides on this site still tell you what to ask any provider.
46 ZIP codes in South Carolina are on the call list.
| City | ZIP codes on the list |
|---|---|
| Columbia | 6 |
| Greenville | 5 |
| Charleston | 4 |
| Mount Pleasant | 2 |
| North Augusta | 2 |
| Ballentine | 1 |
| Blythewood | 1 |
| Cayce | 1 |
| Irmo | 1 |
| Boiling Springs | 1 |
| Drayton | 1 |
| Duncan | 1 |
| Lyman | 1 |
| Moore | 1 |
| Reidville | 1 |
Covered ZIP codes by city, from the call partner's list; the list changes over time.
Four steps to a working line in South Carolina
- Check the address, not the ZIP alone. Availability is decided street by street, so give the agent the full address.
- Compare the types first, prices second: a fiber line at the same price as cable is the better buy because of upload speed and steadier evening speeds.
- Read the broadband label. Every plan now comes with one; the label guide shows what to look for.
- Line up the install date with your move-in date if you are moving. The moving checklist has the timing.
Common questions
What share of South Carolina households are offline?
In the 2023 American Community Survey, 9% of South Carolina households reported no internet subscription of any kind (195,996 homes), which ranks the state 38th of 51 for the fewest unconnected homes. Another 13% rely on a phone plan alone.
Can I get fiber in South Carolina?
On some streets, yes. The Census counts cable, fiber and DSL together (74.4% of South Carolina homes), so the fiber share is smaller than that number and changes block by block as providers build. Ask for the exact address; if fiber is not there, cable is usually the next fastest, then 5G home.
Which South Carolina ZIP codes can the agents check?
46 of them, mostly around Columbia, Greenville, Charleston and Mount Pleasant. The ZIP box on this page tells you in one step: a covered ZIP keeps the call button active, an uncovered one switches it off. The list is updated as the call partner adds areas.
Should I consider 5G home internet in South Carolina?
If a wired line is not at your address, or the only wired option is slow DSL, yes. 13% of South Carolina households already run on cellular alone, which shows the towers reach most homes. A 5G home router is a one-day install with no wiring; speed depends on the signal at your window, so test the plan during its trial period.