Aiken, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Aiken, South Carolina had a total population of 32,521, the 16th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $76,746, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 47.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Carolina.
Aiken Quick Facts
How Aiken Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,334 | 32,521 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $69,837 | $76,746 | +9.9% |
| Median home value | $261,800 | $286,800 | +9.5% |
How Aiken Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Aiken Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Aiken County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Augusta | 25,653 | $86,092 | 6.6% | $233,600 |
| Belvedere | 5,180 | $53,021 | 16.8% | $143,500 |
| Clearwater | 3,319 | $51,731 | 17.3% | $158,100 |
| Burnettown | 3,135 | $50,347 | 19.6% | $189,800 |
| New Ellenton | 2,837 | $58,476 | 17.3% | $174,200 |
| Gloverville | 2,505 | $52,197 | 15.6% | $89,800 |
| Graniteville | 2,056 | $38,938 | 37.3% | $112,200 |
| Jackson | 1,870 | $39,634 | 11.1% | $199,800 |
| Beech Island | 1,578 | $36,027 | 34.3% | $116,800 |
| Langley | 1,310 | $53,646 | 27.9% | $99,100 |
Cities Similar to Aiken
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluffton | 33,157 | $111,281 | $492,100 | 51.9% | 4.3% |
| Mauldin | 27,055 | $82,331 | $258,500 | 38.7% | 8.4% |
| Carolina Forest | 26,263 | $74,436 | $336,800 | 35.5% | 13.0% |
| Simpsonville | 26,144 | $82,457 | $299,300 | 37.9% | 6.1% |
| Hilton Head Island | 37,911 | $94,657 | $687,400 | 56.1% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Aiken is a mid-sized community located in South Carolina, within Aiken County. The total population is 32,521. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Aiken is 46.6 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 14.2% 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 is $76,746. This is 11% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.0%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $286,800. Housing costs are 11% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 68.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Aiken is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 30.1%.
Education
47.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Aiken in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 48% higher than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.3%. Notably, 18.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Aiken, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Aiken, South Carolina?
Aiken, South Carolina has a population of 32,521 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Aiken, SC?
The median household income in Aiken is $76,746, which is 5% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Aiken, SC?
The poverty rate in Aiken is 17.0%. This means approximately 5,322 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Aiken, South Carolina?
Aiken's population is 59.2% White, 30.1% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Aiken, SC?
The median home value in Aiken is $286,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Aiken, South Carolina?
47.7% of adults (25+) in Aiken hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.