Local Government in South Carolina

Counties are governed by an elected County Council, but a majority delegate day-to-day administration to a professional County Administrator hired by and reporting to the council — a real executive role, distinct from the council itself (four recognized forms exist statewide: council, council-supervisor, council-administrator, and council-manager, with council-administrator the most common). A resident would attend County Council public meetings for policy matters, and typically route a records request to the Clerk to Council or the relevant department.

Most states combine legislative and executive power in a single small elected commission; South Carolina's dominant form instead splits the roles — an elected council sets policy while a professionally appointed administrator runs daily operations.

Local government in South Carolina

• County governments46

  The main local government across most of the state.

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• Cities, towns & villages271

  Incorporated municipalities with their own elected council or board.

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• School districts78

  Independent school districts with their own elected boards. Listed on county pages where known.

• Special districts269

  Single-purpose governments — fire, water, library, parks, housing, transit, and more.

Counts: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments — Government Units listing. A consolidated city-county is counted once.