Differences between North vs South Carolina

Last Updated on March 19, 2022 by QCity Editorial Stuff

North Carolina and South Carolina are two very different states. While they share a border, their cultures and traditions differ greatly. The first main difference between North and South Carolina is the way people speak. People in North Carolina tend to have a more laid-back accent than those South Carolinians who tend to be more high-strung about how they talk. This can be attributed to the fact that most major cities in North Carolina such as Raleigh-Durham or Charlotte are growing rapidly while those in South Carolina like Columbia continue to grow slowly as well as smaller rural towns throughout both states where people typically don’t travel outside of their state.

There are many differences between North Carolina and South Carolina, including the language used. Some words may be spelled differently or have different meanings than they do in other parts of the United States. A few examples include “y’all” meaning you all, “fixin'” to mean preparing something, and “pop” refers to soda instead of a carbonated drink. There are also differences in pronunciation that can be heard when speaking with someone from either state.

Comparison between North and South Carolina

Parameters of ComparisonNorth CarolinaSouth Carolina  
ProgressiveMore progressiveLess progressive
Sales taxDoes not have taxSales tax
Carry cardDo need to carry an id cardNeed to carry an id card
WaterfallMany waterfallsOne waterfall
DenselyLess denselyMore densely

What is North Carolina?

North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west, and Virginia to the north. The Atlantic Ocean lies east of North Carolina across which lie both New England and Florida. As of 2014, it had an estimated population of over 9 million people – making it the third-most populous in terms of land area after Alaska and Texas. 

The capital city is Raleigh where you will find many government institutions such as Congress Street Legislative Complex, Capitol Building, Supreme Court, etc., while Charlotte serves as the largest financial center followed by Durham-Chapel Hill area for research & development hub including University Research Park (home to more than 40 biotech companies) & Research Triangle Park (RTP), a nonprofit, in the research triangle area between Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill.

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What is South Carolina?

South Carolina is a state in the southeastern United States. It has long been one of the country’s most important states, and it continues to be a strong player on the national stage. The state’s population is largely made up of white people from many different ethnicities, with African Americans making up about 28% of its residents. South Carolina has a lot going for it: great schools, good jobs opportunities and access to higher education, affordable housing options for families looking to buy their first home or move up in the world, and much more.

South Carolina is a state that borders Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and the Atlantic Ocean. It has an area of 30,109 square miles and had approximately 4 million residents as of 2015. The largest cities in South Carolina are Columbia (capital), Charleston, and Greenville according to the 2014 U.S Census Bureau report.

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10 Differences between North and South Carolina

1. North Carolina is more progressive than South Carolina.

2. North Carolina does not have a sales tax while South Carolina has a 6% state sales tax.

3. North Carolinians do not need to carry identification cards while those in South Carolina must show some form of ID at all times when asked by law enforcement.

4. The climate in the south is much warmer than that of the north, with average temperatures over 80 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months and lows around 50 degrees Fahrenheit during winter months.

5. There are many different waterfalls in North Carolina but only one waterfall exists in South Carolina. 

6. In contrast to its neighbor, there are no mountains or hills found anywhere near the coastline on the south side of the country.

7. South Carolina is more densely populated than North Carolina.

8. The Carolinas have a different climate, with the south being warmer and wetter.

9. North Carolina has a higher GDP than South Carolina.

10. The Carolinas have different economies, with the north having a stronger manufacturing industry.

Interesting Statistics or Facts of North Carolina

1. North Carolina is the 2nd most populous state in the US.

2. North Carolina has more miles of coastline than any other state.

3. There are over 300 waterfalls in North Carolina, including the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River.

4. The average temperature for January is 36 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. The first electric trolley was introduced to Charlotte in 1887.

6. North Carolina has a higher percentage of military veterans than any other state.

Interesting Statistics or Facts of South Carolina

1. South Carolina is the only state in the U.S. with an English-speaking majority.

2. The Palmetto State has more than 1,000 miles of shoreline.

3. Charleston is home to America’s first public library.

4. Clemson University was founded by Thomas Green Clemson and his son John Cawthome Clemson as a military school for boys in 1889. 

5. Myrtle Beach offers nearly 100 golf courses within 10 miles of its shores.

6. Columbia is nicknamed “The City Beautiful” because it was designed by the renowned architect Charles Follen McKim of Boston, Massachusetts.

Conclusion

North Carolina’s history of slavery, cotton farming, and textiles; South Carolina’s rich colonial heritage.  The two states are vastly different in many ways, but for this blog post, we’ll focus on the differences between North and South Carolina. As you may know, both Carolinas were part of British America until 1729 when they became their colonies. Ever since then there have been distinct cultural distinctions that continue to distinguish them today. For example, while North Carolina is known for its slave-holding past (more than 30% of slaves at one point lived here), the colony was also the site where some early abolitionists met to plan an attack against slavery in 1831 – a meeting largely credited with sparking the American Civil War which led to the end of slavery. North Carolina is also more progressive than its southern counterpart, with a higher sales tax (North Carolina does not have a sales tax), larger cities, and being the first state to protect gay rights. Meanwhile, South Carolina is known for its plantations characterized by large homes with elegant design, extensive gardens, and rows of slave housing. The state also has a more humid climate and is denser in population.

North Carolina is located more on the eastern side of the United States and South Carolina is on the southern coast. The northeast part of North Carolina borders Virginia, while its south border meets Tennessee and Georgia. South Carolinas’ northernmost point touches Maryland and it shares a portion of Alabama with Florida. One major difference between these two states that runs through them both: their economies are based heavily in agriculture, but that’s where most similarities end.

References:

Resource 01: https://www.nc.gov/
Resource 02: https://sc.gov/

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