Barnwell, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Barnwell, South Carolina had a total population of 4,613, the 106th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $52,006, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 13.8% is notably above the national average.
Barnwell Quick Facts
How Barnwell 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 | 4,616 | 4,613 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $43,239 | $52,006 | +20.3% |
| Median home value | $137,300 | $145,300 | +5.8% |
How Barnwell 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+)
Barnwell Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Barnwell County
Cities Similar to Barnwell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belton | 4,458 | $49,107 | $133,500 | 10.9% | 19.6% |
| Duncan | 4,310 | $52,500 | $211,400 | 29.5% | 12.4% |
| Batesburg-Leesville | 4,941 | $49,646 | $135,100 | 12.3% | 15.1% |
| Capitol View | 4,374 | $46,645 | $187,600 | 26.4% | 10.6% |
| East Camden | 4,194 | $53,715 | $183,100 | 22.4% | 20.5% |
Population Overview
Barnwell is a small community located in South Carolina, within Barnwell County. The total population is 4,613. It ranks as the 106th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Barnwell is 36.4 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Barnwell is $52,006. This is 25% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.9%. This is 70% 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 unemployment rate is 13.8%. This is 182% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $145,300. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Barnwell is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Barnwell is Black or African American, making up 45.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 45.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.9% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
18.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 80.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Barnwell, 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.
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 Barnwell, South Carolina?
Barnwell, South Carolina has a population of 4,613 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Barnwell, SC?
The median household income in Barnwell is $52,006, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Barnwell, SC?
The poverty rate in Barnwell is 23.9%. This means approximately 1,054 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Barnwell, South Carolina?
Barnwell's population is 45.8% White, 45.9% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Barnwell, SC?
The median home value in Barnwell is $145,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Barnwell, South Carolina?
18.3% of adults (25+) in Barnwell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.