Berea, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Berea, South Carolina had a total population of 16,862, the 36th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $49,829, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Berea Quick Facts
How Berea 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 | 16,642 | 16,862 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $48,104 | $49,829 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $187,200 | $204,700 | +9.3% |
How Berea 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+)
Berea Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Greenville County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | 72,935 | $71,472 | 14.0% | $487,500 |
| Greer | 41,536 | $82,626 | 10.1% | $288,700 |
| Mauldin | 27,055 | $82,331 | 8.4% | $258,500 |
| Simpsonville | 26,144 | $82,457 | 6.1% | $299,300 |
| Taylors | 24,505 | $77,144 | 10.6% | $257,500 |
| Wade Hampton | 20,898 | $77,449 | 7.2% | $339,000 |
| Five Forks | 18,656 | $141,786 | 2.5% | $452,200 |
| Gantt | 15,401 | $47,316 | 25.2% | $184,400 |
| Parker | 12,898 | $40,043 | 29.6% | $150,400 |
| Fountain Inn | 12,020 | $73,585 | 7.7% | $275,300 |
Cities Similar to Berea
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson | 18,072 | $49,520 | $398,400 | 59.4% | 36.0% |
| Gantt | 15,401 | $47,316 | $184,400 | 21.0% | 25.2% |
| West Columbia | 17,963 | $56,912 | $201,700 | 40.9% | 13.7% |
| Dentsville | 15,209 | $45,473 | $163,700 | 19.8% | 15.7% |
| Seven Oaks | 15,921 | $62,955 | $208,400 | 41.3% | 12.2% |
Population Overview
Berea is a small city located in South Carolina, within Greenville County. The total population is 16,862. It ranks as the 36th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Berea is 36.7 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Berea is $49,829. This is 28% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.9%. This is 63% 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 6.7%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $204,700. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 63.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Berea is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (32.2% vs 7.4%).
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 77.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Berea, 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 Berea, South Carolina?
Berea, South Carolina has a population of 16,862 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Berea, SC?
The median household income in Berea is $49,829, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Berea, SC?
The poverty rate in Berea is 22.9%. This means approximately 3,758 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Berea, South Carolina?
Berea's population is 43.1% White, 19.0% Black, 32.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Berea, SC?
The median home value in Berea is $204,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Berea, South Carolina?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Berea hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.