BirdAnalyst
Species · South Carolina · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

American Goldfinch Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesForest birds

American Goldfinch in South Carolina has surged: up 23× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

23×Since 1969TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
38Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable American Goldfinch Trends in South CarolinaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

American Goldfinch has surged in South Carolina: up 23× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

American Goldfinch Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, American Goldfinch in South Carolina is projected to rise about 10% by 2030 — from 2.9 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.1 (95% range 1.7–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+10%Change by 2030TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
3.1Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
1.7–4.695% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±21.7%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, American Goldfinch in South Carolina is projected to rise about 10% by 2030 — from 2.9 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.1 (95% range 1.7–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20263.01.64.4
20273.01.64.4
20283.11.74.5
20293.11.74.5
20303.11.74.6

American Goldfinch Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording American Goldfinch in South Carolina.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Owings 22220252005
Whitmire1920242010
Prosperity1320241992
Owings1120041992
Pinewood1120191998
Salem Xrd1020191982
Greenwood1020251998
Chesnee820151994
Lowrys720252017
Coward620252007
New Holland620251972
Salem620242010
Barton Creek520221970
Little Mtn419881977
Ward420252017
Campobello420252011
Mount Pisgah420251999
Anderson420181977
Ridgeway320252012
Blacksburg320131998
Joanna320251999
Olar320191999
Battlecreek320251999
Cauthens Xrd320211982
Wagener220251968

American Goldfinch Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawaregeorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.