Statehood Comparison
Geography

Alabama vs South Carolina: Statehood

South Carolina became a state before Alabama.

Alabama flag
Alabama
AL • South
December 14, 1819 (#22)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.
South Carolina flag
South Carolina
SC • South
Winner
May 23, 1788 (#8)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

Visual Comparison

Alabama December 14, 1819 (#22)
South Carolina May 23, 1788 (#8)

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for statehood.

Alabama #22 · December 14, 1819 (#22)
South Carolina #8 · May 23, 1788 (#8)
Best Worst

10 Best States — Statehood

Lower is better
#1 Delaware flag Delaware
December 7, 1787 (#1)
#2 Pennsylvania flag Pennsylvania
December 12, 1787 (#2)
#3 New Jersey flag New Jersey
December 18, 1787 (#3)
#4 Georgia flag Georgia
January 2, 1788 (#4)
#5 Connecticut flag Connecticut
January 9, 1788 (#5)
#6 Massachusetts flag Massachusetts
February 6, 1788 (#6)
#7 Maryland flag Maryland
April 28, 1788 (#7)
#8 South Carolina flag South Carolina
May 23, 1788 (#8)
#9 New Hampshire flag New Hampshire
June 21, 1788 (#9)
#10 Virginia flag Virginia
June 25, 1788 (#10)
Selected states
#22 Alabama flag Alabama
December 14, 1819 (#22)

Alabama ranks 22nd and South Carolina ranks 8th nationally for statehood.

Related Context

Historical Context

The statehood order mirrors westward expansion and regional settlement history.

What This Means

Alabama vs South Carolina: Statehood in context

South Carolina has a statehood of May 23, 1788 (#8), compared with December 14, 1819 (#22) in Alabama. When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

Alabama
December 14, 1819 (#22)
South Carolina
May 23, 1788 (#8)

People Also Ask

Alabama vs South Carolina Statehood — Common Questions

Q What is Alabama's statehood?

Alabama's statehood is December 14, 1819 (#22).

Q What is South Carolina's statehood?

South Carolina's statehood is May 23, 1788 (#8).

Q Which state has a lower statehood — Alabama or South Carolina?

South Carolina became a state before Alabama.

Sources: Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker.