Arial, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Arial, South Carolina had a total population of 1,919, the 204th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $54,286, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Arial Quick Facts
How Arial 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 | 2,024 | 1,919 | -5.2% |
| Median household income | $50,132 | $54,286 | +8.3% |
| Median home value | $169,200 | $181,300 | +7.2% |
How Arial 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Arial Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Pickens County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson University | 7,015 | N/A | 74.7% | N/A |
| Central | 5,320 | $60,258 | 30.3% | $256,600 |
| Liberty | 3,350 | $42,206 | 21.5% | $174,300 |
| Pickens | 3,155 | $55,000 | 16.7% | $204,100 |
| Six Mile | 931 | $96,250 | 5.7% | $338,700 |
| Cateechee | 850 | N/A | 1.8% | $171,900 |
| Norris | 784 | $50,750 | 15.0% | $183,100 |
| Dacusville | 198 | $51,000 | 5.1% | $293,500 |
Cities Similar to Arial
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irwin | 1,919 | $55,885 | $176,900 | 12.4% | 26.1% |
| Tigerville | 1,880 | N/A | N/A | 65.3% | 13.4% |
| Watts Mills | 1,942 | $50,901 | $108,300 | 2.9% | 8.7% |
| Hopkins | 1,985 | $50,063 | $99,300 | 15.8% | 25.7% |
| Ridgeville | 1,740 | $55,637 | $181,800 | 4.3% | 7.8% |
Population Overview
Arial is a small community located in South Carolina, within Pickens County. The total population is 1,919. It ranks as the 204th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Arial is 40.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Arial is $54,286. This is 22% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.9%. This is 44% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Arial, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $181,300. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 89.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Arial has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.3%.
Education
15.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Arial, 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 Arial, South Carolina?
Arial, South Carolina has a population of 1,919 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Arial, SC?
The median household income in Arial is $54,286, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Arial, SC?
The poverty rate in Arial is 7.9%. This means approximately 151 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Arial, South Carolina?
Arial's population is 85.6% White, 0.0% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Arial, SC?
The median home value in Arial is $181,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Arial, South Carolina?
15.3% of adults (25+) in Arial hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.