The Status of Women and Girls in SC
2025 Research Findings
South Carolina’s women and girls face big challenges.
In 2025, WREN undertook a statewide research project to assess obstacles facing women and girls in South Carolina, and endeavored to parse the findings into county-specific data. The research revealed challenges that many of us know too well: gaps in healthcare access, unequal pay for equal work, limited childcare, and entire communities left without the resources they deserve. These truths are not always easy to hear, but they are necessary to confront if we want to build something better.
We also have big opportunities to build a better future.
The good news is that transformation is possible. Each of us has a role to play in reshaping the future. Use this report as a tool: start conversations in your community, raise awareness about the issues that matter, let it guide your giving, your advocacy, and the choices you make as a neighbor, a leader, and a citizen. Every action, whether big or small, helps move us closer to a South Carolina where every woman and girl has the chance not only to survive, but to thrive.
Dr. Amalia Luxardo, CEO
Status of Women and Girls in SC
We’re curious to hear your feedback! After reviewing the report, please provide report feedback & your community insight in English or Spanish
What We’ve Learned
Economic Stability is Out of Reach for Many
- One in three households in South Carolina can’t afford basic needs like childcare, housing, and food.
- Women, especially Black and Brown women, are overrepresented in low-wage jobs and underserved by safety nets.
- The divide between rural and urban counties continues to grow, deepening inequality across communities.
Maternal and Infant Health Needs Our Attention
- South Carolina has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.
- Black women are nearly four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes.
- Many communities lack access to OB-GYNs, midwives, and hospitals with labor and delivery services.
Childcare is in Crisis
- Parents can’t find or afford care, keeping many out of the workforce entirely.
- Nearly 50% of South Carolinians live in childcare deserts.
- Low wages are pushing childcare workers out of the field.
Safe, Stable Housing is Scarce
- Rent has risen faster than wages across nearly every county.
- In South Carolina, minimum wage earners must work 91 hours per week to afford a one-bedroom apartment, or 106 hours per week, for a modest two-bedroom. Wages simply haven’t kept up with housing costs.
- South Carolina has one of the highest eviction rates in the nation.
- Affordable housing options for single-parent households are rare.
Access to Essentials Varies by ZIP Code
- In South Carolina, access to basics like healthy food, maternal care, childcare, and infant health still depends on your ZIP code — with rural, low-income, and Black communities facing the greatest barriers to the essentials families need to thrive.
- Over 678,000 South Carolinians experience food insecurity, and many live in food deserts, where affordable, nutritious options are scarce.
- 8.7% of women statewide live more than 30 minutes from the nearest birthing hospital.
- 42% of census tracts in South Carolina are childcare deserts.
County-specific Data
South Carolina is home to over 5 million people, but no two counties look alike. Population size, racial and ethnic makeup, and community composition help explain the unique challenges each region faces. For example, rural counties like Allendale or McCormick often face greater economic hardship, while urban centers like Charleston and Greenville have greater resources available.
To ensure that these insights are meaningful at the local level, this report pairs statewide analysis with county‑level data profiles, allowing each community to see its own story reflected in the numbers. This dual lens is designed to support decision‑makers, advocates, and residents in identifying where investments and interventions can have the greatest impact.