In 2002, there were an estimated 1,825,531 housing units, 1,563,144 of which were occupied; 70.2% were owner-occupied. About 61.4% of all housing units were single-family, detached homes; nearly 19.6% were mobile homes. Electricity and utility gas were the most common energy sources for heating. It was estimated 82,402 units lacked telephone service, 4,327 lacked complete plumbing facilities, and 5,233, lacked complete kitchen facilities. The average household size was 2.54 people.
In 2002, 34,104 new privately owned housing units were authorized for construction. The median home value was $116,614. The median monthly cost for mortgage owners was $995. Renters paid a median of $565 per month. During 2002, South Carolina received over $70.1 million in community planning and development aid from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
South Carolina has made a determined effort to upgrade housing. The State Housing Authority, created in 1971, is empowered to issue bonds to provide mortgage subsidies for lowand middle-income families.