Beaufort, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Beaufort, South Carolina had a total population of 13,747, the 45th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $61,220, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Beaufort Quick Facts
How Beaufort 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 | 13,660 | 13,747 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $59,454 | $61,220 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $310,400 | $345,400 | +11.3% |
How Beaufort 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Beaufort Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Beaufort County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island | 37,911 | $94,657 | 8.6% | $687,400 |
| Bluffton | 33,157 | $111,281 | 4.3% | $492,100 |
| Port Royal | 15,579 | $74,870 | 8.4% | $347,200 |
| Hardeeville | 10,871 | $78,365 | 11.8% | $488,900 |
| Burton | 6,912 | $68,063 | 12.1% | $247,600 |
| Laurel Bay | 5,882 | $54,345 | 17.5% | $231,800 |
| Ridgeland | 3,764 | $62,981 | 26.8% | $228,400 |
| Shell Point | 1,439 | $81,630 | 3.1% | $293,300 |
| Yemassee | 1,178 | $44,896 | 27.3% | $161,600 |
| Seabrook | 799 | $63,149 | 21.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Beaufort
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayce | 13,741 | $62,045 | $166,800 | 31.1% | 13.7% |
| Boiling Springs | 12,936 | $72,068 | $244,400 | 26.5% | 9.9% |
| Seven Oaks | 15,921 | $62,955 | $208,400 | 41.3% | 12.2% |
| Little River | 11,771 | $65,786 | $305,800 | 25.8% | 12.7% |
| Red Hill | 15,920 | $68,250 | $249,500 | 21.8% | 19.1% |
Population Overview
Beaufort is a small city located in South Carolina, within Beaufort County. The total population is 13,747. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Beaufort is 32.2 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Beaufort is $61,220. This is 12% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $345,400. Housing costs are 33% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 61.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Beaufort is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 26.0%.
Education
39.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 96.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, South Carolina?
Beaufort, South Carolina has a population of 13,747 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Beaufort, SC?
The median household income in Beaufort is $61,220, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Beaufort, SC?
The poverty rate in Beaufort is 12.5%. This means approximately 1,484 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Beaufort, South Carolina?
Beaufort's population is 62.6% White, 26.0% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Beaufort, SC?
The median home value in Beaufort is $345,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Beaufort, South Carolina?
39.6% of adults (25+) in Beaufort hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.