Bowman, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bowman, South Carolina had a total population of 691, the 310th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $35,347, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 12.9% is notably above the national average.
Bowman Quick Facts
How Bowman 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 | 789 | 691 | -12.4% |
| Median household income | $27,500 | $35,347 | +28.5% |
| Median home value | $80,700 | $69,600 | -13.8% |
How Bowman 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+)
Bowman Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Orangeburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orangeburg | 13,253 | $38,635 | 32.6% | $163,500 |
| Brookdale | 4,291 | $39,449 | 34.8% | $96,500 |
| Wilkinson Heights | 2,012 | $25,489 | 29.7% | $81,100 |
| Edisto | 1,801 | $46,788 | 25.2% | $71,900 |
| Holly Hill | 1,218 | $34,135 | 38.6% | $232,000 |
| Branchville | 1,084 | $43,182 | 18.2% | $115,300 |
| Santee | 1,076 | $46,667 | 28.3% | $161,800 |
| Elloree | 1,035 | $33,796 | 26.4% | $192,500 |
| North | 675 | $26,477 | 42.2% | $92,900 |
| Neeses | 524 | $37,885 | 20.4% | $44,300 |
Cities Similar to Bowman
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La France | 678 | N/A | N/A | 34.6% | 0.0% |
| Startex | 668 | N/A | N/A | 4.9% | 34.3% |
| Lake View | 679 | $36,563 | $75,700 | 13.7% | 24.3% |
| Wallace | 665 | $32,703 | $97,600 | 3.6% | 14.4% |
| Bucksport | 747 | N/A | $186,300 | 21.5% | 15.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 691, Bowman's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Bowman is a small community located in South Carolina, within Orangeburg County. The total population is 691. It ranks as the 310th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bowman is 44.7 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bowman is $35,347. This is 49% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.3%. This is 165% 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 12.9%. This is 164% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $69,600. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Bowman is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bowman is Black or African American, making up 77.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.2%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (77.0% vs 24.6%).
Education
5.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 83% 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 81.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bowman, 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 Bowman, South Carolina?
Bowman, South Carolina has a population of 691 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bowman, SC?
The median household income in Bowman is $35,347, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bowman, SC?
The poverty rate in Bowman is 37.3%. This means approximately 258 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bowman, South Carolina?
Bowman's population is 16.2% White, 77.0% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bowman, SC?
The median home value in Bowman is $69,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Bowman, South Carolina?
5.4% of adults (25+) in Bowman hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.