Average IQ in South Carolina
Average IQ
96.4
US Ranking
#41
of 50 states
Region
South
Note: State-level IQ estimates are derived from standardized test scores (NAEP, SAT, ACT) and demographic data. They reflect population-level trends influenced by education funding, socioeconomic factors, and demographics — not the intelligence of any individual resident.
About South Carolina's IQ Ranking
South Carolina faces educational challenges common to the Deep South — lower education spending, higher poverty rates, and limited rural educational resources. Charleston's growing tech and tourism sectors and Greenville's manufacturing renaissance are improving outcomes in metro areas, but rural communities lag significantly behind.
What Shapes South Carolina's Cognitive Profile
Along the I-95 corridor sit the rural districts that a documentary made notorious as the Corridor of Shame, plaintiffs in the Abbeville lawsuit that ran more than two decades before the state Supreme Court found only minimal constitutional obligations unmet. Industrial recruitment has pulled the rest of South Carolina in another direction: BMW's Spartanburg plant, the company's largest in the world, Boeing's 787 assembly line in North Charleston, and Michelin's North American headquarters created engineering and advanced manufacturing demand that the technical college system feeds through readySC training partnerships. Clemson's automotive research center in Greenville links directly to the cluster. The Read to Succeed law followed the Southern early literacy template with slower results than the versions in Mississippi and Louisiana. Charleston's small tech scene, sometimes branded Silicon Harbor, continues maturing. Population growth ranks among the fastest in the country, importing retirees and workers in roughly equal measure. The estimated average trails regional leaders while the industrial base keeps tightening the skills market.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
South Carolina vs Other South States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 96.4 | #41 |
| Virginia | 101.9 | #9 |
| Maryland | 102.3 | #12 |
| Texas | 99.6 | #26 |
| North Carolina | 99.2 | #28 |
| Florida | 98.4 | #32 |
| Georgia | 98 | #35 |
| Tennessee | 97.1 | #39 |
| Oklahoma | 97 | #39 |
| Kentucky | 96 | #42 |
| Alabama | 95.7 | #43 |
| West Virginia | 95.5 | #44 |
| Louisiana | 95.3 | #45 |
| Arkansas | 95 | #46 |
| Mississippi | 94.2 | #50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in South Carolina?
South Carolina's estimated average IQ is 96.4, ranking #41. Growing metro areas are improving, but rural poverty and limited educational resources remain challenges.
Is South Carolina's education improving?
Yes, particularly in Charleston and Greenville, where economic growth is attracting educated workers and increasing school funding. BMW and other manufacturers have invested in workforce education programs.
How does South Carolina compare to North Carolina?
North Carolina (99.2) outranks South Carolina (96.4). NC benefits from the Research Triangle's concentration of universities and tech companies, while SC is earlier in its economic transformation.
Explore Other States
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MyIQScores Editorial Team
Researchers in cognitive psychology, psychometrics & educational science
Last updated
May 10, 2026
All content on MyIQScores is reviewed for scientific accuracy against peer-reviewed research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics. Our editorial team cross-references each article with published literature before publication and updates pages whenever new research warrants a revision.