BirdAnalyst
Species · South Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Purple Martin Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesAerial insectivores

Purple Martin in South Carolina has fallen sharply: down 59% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-59%Since 1968
50Routes In State
58Years

Notable Purple Martin Trends in South Carolina

long arc declinecomputed index

Purple Martin has fallen sharply in South Carolina: down 59% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Purple Martin Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Purple Martin in South Carolina is projected to rise about 50% by 2029 — from 7.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 11 (95% range 0.00–24). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±119.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+50%Change by 2029
11Projected 2029 index
0.00–2495% range
±119.7%Backtest error
19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
2025110.0024
2026110.0024
2027110.0024
2028110.0024
2029110.0024

Purple Martin Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording Purple Martin in South Carolina.
Blacksburg31220131998
Little Mtn5819881966
Prosperity5320241992
Barton Creek2920221968
Holly Hill2620241973
Boykin Ml Pd2219681967
Dillon2020211970
Pinewood1820141998
Pendleton1619761966
Salem Xrd1520171982
Sandhills1520241994
Foreston1320211966
Owings 21220242005
Nixville1120171998
Joanna1020231999
Red Bluff1020241996
Johns Isle919791966
Wagener920241966
Plum Branch720241977
Salem720232010
Greenwood720161999
Chesnee720151992
Walterboro620171970
Landrum619881980
Lowrys620172017

Purple Martin Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.