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

Chipping Sparrow Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesForest birds

Chipping Sparrow in South Carolina has risen sharply: up 63% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+63%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
51Routes 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 →
59YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Chipping Sparrow 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 →

Chipping Sparrow has risen sharply in South Carolina: up 63% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Chipping Sparrow Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Chipping Sparrow in South Carolina is projected to fall about 20% by 2030 — from 14 in 2025 to a central estimate of 11 (95% range 5.3–17). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±13.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-20%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 →
11Projected 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 →
5.3–1795% 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 →
±13.1%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, Chipping Sparrow in South Carolina is projected to fall about 20% by 2030 — from 14 in 2025 to a central estimate of 11 (95% range 5.3–17). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±13.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
2026114.917
2027115.017
2028115.117
2029115.217
2030115.317

Chipping Sparrow Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording Chipping Sparrow 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 →
Little Mtn4419881966
Coward4220251966
Ward3920252017
Plum Branch3320251977
Owings 23020252005
Greenwood2620251998
Barton Creek2520211967
Campobello2520252010
Sandhills2420251994
Ridgeway2320252010
Prosperity2020241992
Owings1920041992
Joanna1920251999
Lowrys1620252017
Salem Xrd1520191982
Whitmire1320242010
Rome1220251967
New Holland1220251967
New Ellenton1220252010
Green Sea1220252010
Nixville1220252002
Boykin Ml Pd1119681966
Salem1120252010
Red Bluff1120251996
Mount Pisgah1020251998

Chipping Sparrow Population Trend in Other States

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

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