Beaufort city, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Beaufort city, South Carolina has a total population of 13,660, the 46th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $59,454, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.0%.
Beaufort city Quick Facts
How Beaufort 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+)
Beaufort city Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Beaufort city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayce city | 13,718 | $58,095 | $158,900 | 30.5% | 17.8% |
| Port Royal town | 15,047 | $70,330 | $298,000 | 37.3% | 10.7% |
| Seven Oaks CDP | 15,990 | $64,003 | $195,900 | 41.6% | 9.8% |
| Red Hill CDP | 16,480 | $62,132 | $223,900 | 23.3% | 22.6% |
| Gantt CDP | 15,057 | $47,265 | $156,200 | 18.9% | 25.5% |
Population Overview
Beaufort city is a small city located in South Carolina. The total population is 13,660. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Beaufort city is 31.5 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Beaufort city is $59,454. This is 11% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.0%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $310,400. Housing costs are 31% higher than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 58.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 71.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Beaufort city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.5%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.
Education
38.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 96.4%. Notably, 17.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Beaufort 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Beaufort city, South Carolina?
Beaufort city, South Carolina has a population of 13,660 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Beaufort city, SC?
The median household income in Beaufort city is $59,454, which is 24% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Beaufort city, SC?
The poverty rate in Beaufort city is 18.0%. This means approximately 2,162 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Beaufort city, South Carolina?
Beaufort city's population is 61.5% White, 27.5% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Beaufort city, SC?
The median home value in Beaufort city is $310,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Beaufort city, South Carolina?
38.1% of adults (25+) in Beaufort city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.