The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs’ Research and Planning Division exists to provide critical data and information for decision-making purposes. The Research Division seeks to assists the general public, public officials, the private sector, non-profit, and faith-based organizations with statistical data and analysis.
The goal of the Research Division is to both create and maintain a comprehensive database of statistics regarding each of the minority populations in which the Commission serves. In addition, the research staff is involved in conducting simple to complex research, public policy analysis, information dissemination and the development of publications which accurately reflect the current status of the minority populations in South Carolina.
The research conducted by the staff of the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs will provide ongoing statistical data, public policy analysis, and survey-based research. The research and related findings involve the following:
- To study the causes and effects of socioeconomic poverty and deprivation facing minorities;
- To provide statistical data and policy recommendations to state agencies and public officials to implement initiatives to alleviate such deprivation;
- To establish and maintain a database of statistical information for distribution to members of the General Assembly and other entities capable of effecting change;
- To serve as the State’s clearinghouse for minority statistical information and to publish a Statewide statistical abstract on minority affairs;
- To provide communities with a single point of contact to obtain raw data and information necessary for local research and planning;
- To develop and make available on an as-needed basis specialized statistical publications, raw data, analysis and findings in cooperation with state agencies, public officials, and the general public
South Carolina Statistical Profile Explores Socio-Economic Conditions Faced by Ethnic Minority Communities
The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs released its FY2021-2022 Statistical Profile, a comprehensive report on the socio-economic conditions faced by the state’s ethnic minority communities, during a luncheon for community partners on Monday, February 27, 2023. The Statistical Profile serves to frame policy discussions around the importance of targeted interventions across a range of issues affecting minority communities today.
Download the Statistical Profile FY2021-2022 - PDF
Statistical Profile Presentation-PDF
The Research Briefs provides a snapshot of the latest analysis of topics that are of interest to policymakers, practitioners, researchers, government agencies, colleges/universities and the general public. If you have any questions concerning the research methodology, contact Dr. Robert Fenton, Director of Research, at rfenton@cma.sc.gov.
2024 Briefs
August 2024
The Crisis of Black Maternal Health: Disparities in South Carolina
For some pregnancy is a gift, but what happens when that gift is quickly snatched from you? On May 2, 2023, during a welfare check, this tragic fate became the reality of Olympic medalist, Tori Bowie. Bowie, 32, was found dead in her home due to pregnancy related complications. The cause was later revealed by the medical examiner to be eclampsia, which is a disorder related to high blood pressure during pregnancy. When unaddressed during pregnancy, common conditions like high blood pressure and infections can become deadly. Being an Olympic medalist did not appear to have made a difference in Bowe receiving adequate prenatal care. However, the most important variable was not her occupation, but her race. Across a range of pregnancy-related disorders, Black women have significantly higher mortality rates than White women. In our latest research brief, Statistical and Research Analyst Alicia Paige, shines a light on these statistics as they relate to the state of South Carolina. (DOWNLOAD PDF)
May 2024
Rocky Road: A Brief Examination of Travel Conditions for African American Workers in South Carolina
In South Carolina, most travel is done on the road. Evaluating travel conditions is an important step for the Commission for Minority Affairs in an effort to describe the socio-economic status for minority communities. In this brief, Statistical and Research Analyst Zhengyang Lin explores the conditions of traveling for work for African Americans. Lin examined data provided by American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) and the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Data suggests that African Americans are the group that commute via vehicles the most, however, in places where there are significant proportions of African American residents, primary roads are sparse and in poor conditions but with few maintenance projects. (DOWNLOAD PDF)
April 2024
Future Citizens: On the Changing Demographics of Public-School Enrollments in South Carolina
Providing a growing, diverse population with the appropriate educational resources from preschool through secondary education is vital if the state’s economic development objectives are to be met. In this brief, Research Director Dr. Robert P. Fenton examines the state’s changing public-school demographics to bring awareness to areas where specialized curriculum and administration changes might be made. (DOWNLOAD PDF)
March 2024
Unattainable Dreams: Housing Affordability in South Carolina
In our latest research brief, Statistician Max Petushko examines new data sources and releases to further explore dynamics addressed in the July 2022 brief "Unaffordable Housing." By integrating data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) and Federal Reserve Economic Data (fred.stlouisfed.org), this research spotlights major socioeconomic dynamics and connections between affordable housing, vacant houses, and householder age patterns in South Carolina. (DOWNLOAD PDF)
The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs' Small and Minority Business Division has released a survey to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small, minority-owned businesses in South Carolina. This survey will be used to inform future policy initiatives and current and future funding allocations from state and federal resources. Participation in this survey is vital in guiding our priorities and providing direction for upcoming events and activities. Submissions will remain anonymous. The survey is available in English and Spanish.
English: https://bit.ly/3ziWztt
Spanish: https://bit.ly/3zsoO9d
