Brookdale, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brookdale, South Carolina had a total population of 4,291, the 114th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $39,449, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 21.5% is notably above the national average.
Brookdale Quick Facts
How Brookdale 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 | 4,061 | 4,291 | +5.7% |
| Median household income | $34,279 | $39,449 | +15.1% |
| Median home value | $85,400 | $96,500 | +13.0% |
How Brookdale 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+)
Brookdale 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 |
| 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 |
| Bowman | 691 | $35,347 | 37.3% | $69,600 |
| North | 675 | $26,477 | 42.2% | $92,900 |
| Neeses | 524 | $37,885 | 20.4% | $44,300 |
Cities Similar to Brookdale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgefield | 4,010 | $39,688 | $122,500 | 13.5% | 31.4% |
| Walhalla | 4,157 | $36,327 | $171,900 | 11.4% | 45.9% |
| Capitol View | 4,374 | $46,645 | $187,600 | 26.4% | 10.6% |
| Abbeville | 4,872 | $40,575 | $106,400 | 17.4% | 27.3% |
| Southern Shops | 3,797 | $37,754 | $109,600 | 3.8% | 43.3% |
Population Overview
Brookdale is a small community located in South Carolina, within Orangeburg County. The total population is 4,291. It ranks as the 114th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brookdale is 32.9 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brookdale is $39,449. This is 43% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.8%. This is 147% 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 21.5%. This is 340% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $96,500. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Brookdale is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 45.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Brookdale has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 98.3% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 0.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (98.3% vs 24.6%).
Education
12.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 79.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brookdale, 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 Brookdale, South Carolina?
Brookdale, South Carolina has a population of 4,291 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brookdale, SC?
The median household income in Brookdale is $39,449, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brookdale, SC?
The poverty rate in Brookdale is 34.8%. This means approximately 1,349 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brookdale, South Carolina?
Brookdale's population is 0.7% White, 98.3% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brookdale, SC?
The median home value in Brookdale is $96,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Brookdale, South Carolina?
12.6% of adults (25+) in Brookdale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.