Foreclosures in South Carolina increased in 2009 over the prior year. There was a total of 25,163 properties with foreclosure filings. That works out to a rate of one filing for every 80 households, which compares to the United States average of 45, and is a little more than one percent of the state's housing units.
South Carolina is the 24th largest U.S. state by population, with 4,561,242 people (in 2008). Its 32,020 square miles make it the 40th largest state by area. Median household income in 2008 was $44,625.
During the economic downturn that began in 2008 recession, South Carolina's job losses were among the highest in the U.S. The state's manufacturing and agricultural industries have long been interdependent, with the state producing both in cotton and textiles, and lumber plus paper. South Carolina's agricultural sector also produces rice, tobacco, soybeans, hogs, livestock, pecans, peaches, and others. Its manufacturing sector produces cars, machinery and chemicals. Tourism, particularly along its coast, is also among South Carolina's larger industries.