These SC counties have highest STD rates in the state. One ranks among worst in the US
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Sexually transmitted infection rates have seen an uptick over the last decade across the nation, with a jump in 2.5 million new STD cases in 2023 compared to 1.8 million in 2013.
South Carolina is no exception, as it ranks among the top 10 states for infection rates, currently the eighth-worst in the nation, according to a study by Ivigor Medical, a telehealth company that analyzed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
The CDC estimates that one in five Americans is living with an STI at any given time, which contributes to billions of dollars in healthcare costs annually.
Based on this data, here’s what to know about STI rates in South Carolina:
What are the STI rates in SC?
South Carolina’s STI rate is 900.6 cases per 100,000 residents, ranking at #8 nationally, according to Invigor Medical.
When broken down by county, Richland County ranked as #21 out of the 345 counties studied.
It was the top area in the state for STIs, with 1,502.7 cases per 100,000 residents.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the highest occurring STIs in the state.
STI data across South Carolina reveals the following numbers for each disease:
Chlamydia: 32,889 cases
Gonorrhea: 11,950 cases
Syphilis: 2,563 cases
HIV: 837 cases
What other SC counties rank among the highest for STI rates?
Of the 345 counties studied, Richland County is the only area within South Carolina that ranks among the top 25 counties for STI rates, sitting at #21 in the nation.
Here are the eight other South Carolina counties that made the rankings and their number of cases per 100,000 residents:
- #116: Charleston County: 841.2
- #134: Greenville County: 774.7
- #138: Berkeley County: 759.3
- #145: Spartanburg County: 729.8
- #159: Horry County: 697.6
- #166: Lexington County: 680.5
- #174: York County: 670.9
- #188: Anderson County: 629.1
Top 10 states for STIs
Six out of the top 10 states in this study are located in the South.
According to Ivigor Medical, these states ranked highly as they tend to face persistent challenges in STD prevention, which stems from gaps in healthcare access, limited sexual health education and structural barriers to screening or treatment.
Here are the top 10 states for STI rates and their number of cases per 100,000 residents:
Louisiana: 1,201.6
Mississippi: 1,084.5
Alaska: 1,066.6
Georgia: 1,020.9
South Dakota: 1,014.8
Alabama: 968.0
North Carolina: 925.9
South Carolina: 900.6
Arkansas: 879.3
New York: 871.2
Why are rates rising?
Ivigor Medical states that STI cases tend to peak during the summer, which is commonly attributed to increased social activity, travel and sexual behavior during warmer months.
Despite this trend, Ivigor Medical notes that broader patterns that shape the spread of sexually transmitted infections include disparities in access to healthcare, varying levels of sexual health education, differences in testing and screening practices and persistent social and economic inequities.
According to a 2023 report by the South Carolina Department of Public Health, factors that largely contribute to STIs across the state include:
Poverty
Low educational attainment
Larger uninsured population compared to other states.
The SCDPH also notes these communities are among the highest risk and disproportionately affected by STIs in the state:
55% of cases are among African Americans.
Homosexual men accounted for 86% of newly diagnosed cases.
People aged 20-29 account for 37% of newly diagnosed cases.
For more information about STIs in South Carolina, visit the SCDPH HIV/AIDS webpage.
This story was originally published July 25, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
