South Carolina Market Intelligence Report (2026)

Top Businesses to Start in South Carolina (2026)

We analyzed 235K+ verified business records to help you separate the hype from the hard numbers.

Top 5 Opportunities

#1
FASTEST GROWTH SECTOR

Facilities Support Services

Growth: +100.0% • Saturation: 0.67 LQ
#2
HIGH DEMAND SIGNAL

Women's, Children's, and Infants' Clothing and Accessories Merchant Wholesalers

Growth: +100.0% • Saturation: 0.56 LQ
#3
LOW COMPETITION GAP

Educational Support Services

Growth: +100.0% • Saturation: 0.66 LQ
#4
HIGH DEMAND SIGNAL

Residential Remodelers

Growth: +100.0% • Saturation: 0.38 LQ
#5
LOW COMPETITION GAP

Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)

Growth: +92.9% • Saturation: 0.61 LQ

Census Records

Official Source

Volume Filtered

10+ Est. Minimum

100% Objective

No Pay-to-Play

Validate Your Idea Locally

SELECT METRO AREA

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia

#1 VOL

The state's largest economic engine.

Population

2.7M

Active Biz

93K

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Fastest Growth

Greenville-Anderson-Greer

945K Residents

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Columbia

Population

840K

ANALYZE

Charleston-North Charleston

Population

818K

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Augusta-Richmond County

Population

618K

ANALYZE

Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach

Population

369K

ANALYZE

Spartanburg

Population

365K

ANALYZE

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal

Population

223K

ANALYZE

Florence

Population

200K

ANALYZE

Sumter

Population

105K

ANALYZE

More States in the South

Explore business opportunities in other South states

AL
Alabama
AR
Arkansas
DE
Delaware
DC
District of Columbia
FL
Florida
GA
Georgia
View All States Directory

Common Questions

What is the fastest growing business in South Carolina?+

Currently, the Facilities Support Services sector is leading the state with a +100.0% 5-year growth rate across multiple metro markets.

What does the data say about South Carolina's economy?+

The state is home to 235K active establishments across 10 major metro areas. The market shows strong growth in emerging sectors with opportunities in high-demand, low-saturation niches.