Columbia, South Carolina
James Robinson | E+ | Getty Images
Category Score 2013 Rank 2012 Rank
Cost of Doing Business311822
Workforce198915
Quality of Life1064141
Infrastructure & Transportation2101521
Economy1953525
Education643646
Technology & Innovation1412626
Business Friendliness743435
Cost of Living321924
Access to Capital161930
Overall13472332

ECONOMIC PROFILE

Governor: Nikki Haley (R) 

Population: 4,723,723

GDP growth: 2.7 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2013): 8.0 percent

Top corporate rate: 5 percent

Top individual tax rate: 7 percent  

Gasoline tax: 16.8 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aaa/Stable

Major private employers: Greenville Memorial Hospital, BMW Manufacturing Co., Palmetto Health Richland, McLeod Regional Medical Center, Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, Baldor Dodge Reliance, Oreck, Piggly Wiggly, St. Francis Hospital, Women's & Children's Hospital

Economic profile sources: American Petroleum Institute (April 2013), Bureau of Economic Analysis (2012), Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2013 release), CareerOneStop, Moody's Investors Service (senior-most tax-backed ratings), National Governors Association, Tax Foundation (2013), U.S. Census Bureau (2012 estimate)