Aiken city, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Aiken city, South Carolina has a total population of 32,334, the 15th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $69,837, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Key Takeaways
- 45.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Carolina.
Aiken city Quick Facts
How Aiken city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 54 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Aiken city Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Aiken city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Forest CDP | 26,373 | $70,647 | $298,700 | 34.2% | 14.0% |
| Bluffton town | 31,323 | $105,463 | $444,500 | 47.9% | 4.8% |
| Greer city | 39,191 | $80,030 | $264,300 | 40.8% | 9.9% |
| Myrtle Beach city | 37,214 | $53,679 | $347,700 | 34.1% | 16.9% |
| Mauldin city | 25,985 | $81,027 | $242,100 | 37.5% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
Aiken city is a mid-sized community located in South Carolina. The total population is 32,334. It ranks as the 15th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Aiken city is 46.5 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 13.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Aiken city is $69,837. This is 5% higher than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 11% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $261,800. Housing costs are 11% higher than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 69.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 71.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Aiken city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 31.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 7.1%.
Education
45.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Aiken city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.1%. Notably, 17.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Aiken city, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in South Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Aiken city, South Carolina?
Aiken city, South Carolina has a population of 32,334 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Aiken city, SC?
The median household income in Aiken city is $69,837, which is 11% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Aiken city, SC?
The poverty rate in Aiken city is 16.3%. This means approximately 5,044 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Aiken city, South Carolina?
Aiken city's population is 59.5% White, 31.9% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Aiken city, SC?
The median home value in Aiken city is $261,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Aiken city, South Carolina?
45.1% of adults (25+) in Aiken city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.