Alcolu, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alcolu, South Carolina had a total population of 459, the 342nd largest community in South Carolina. The poverty rate is 44.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (44.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Alcolu Quick Facts
How Alcolu 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 | 426 | 459 | +7.7% |
| Median home value | $166,400 | $165,500 | -0.5% |
How Alcolu 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+)
Alcolu Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Clarendon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manning | 3,863 | $28,569 | 17.7% | $157,600 |
| Wyboo | 3,639 | $59,074 | 15.1% | $253,000 |
| Turbeville | 925 | $50,268 | 21.4% | $80,000 |
| Summerton | 803 | $40,469 | 24.2% | $164,800 |
| North Santee | 649 | $46,328 | 10.0% | $277,100 |
| Paxville | 453 | $58,958 | 19.9% | $133,900 |
| Foreston | 5 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Alcolu
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Converse | 463 | $36,809 | $153,600 | 8.5% | 15.1% |
| Paxville | 453 | $58,958 | $133,900 | 11.4% | 19.9% |
| Hilda | 468 | $44,861 | $64,600 | 5.0% | 24.6% |
| Springfield | 468 | $47,763 | $70,500 | 16.5% | 18.6% |
| Adams Run | 469 | $79,107 | N/A | 40.2% | 29.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 459, Alcolu's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Alcolu is a small community located in South Carolina, within Clarendon County. The total population is 459. It ranks as the 342nd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alcolu is 17.7 years. This is 56% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 52.1% of the population under 18, Alcolu has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 44.6%. This is 217% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Alcolu, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $165,500. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $259,000. 69.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alcolu is Black or African American, making up 49.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 29.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.7%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (49.2% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (29.4% vs 7.4%).
Education
26.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower 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 71.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alcolu, 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 Alcolu, South Carolina?
Alcolu, South Carolina has a population of 459 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alcolu, SC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Alcolu — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alcolu, SC?
The poverty rate in Alcolu is 44.6%. This means approximately 193 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alcolu, South Carolina?
Alcolu's population is 18.7% White, 49.2% Black, 29.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alcolu, SC?
The median home value in Alcolu is $165,500.
How educated is Alcolu, South Carolina?
26.6% of adults (25+) in Alcolu hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.