Burton, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Burton, South Carolina had a total population of 6,912, the 87th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $68,063, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Burton Quick Facts
How Burton 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 | 7,132 | 6,912 | -3.1% |
| Median household income | $57,315 | $68,063 | +18.8% |
| Median home value | $198,300 | $247,600 | +24.9% |
How Burton 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+)
Burton 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 |
| Beaufort | 13,747 | $61,220 | 12.5% | $345,400 |
| Hardeeville | 10,871 | $78,365 | 11.8% | $488,900 |
| 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 Burton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson University | 7,015 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 74.7% |
| Centerville | 7,049 | $64,380 | $229,700 | 22.3% | 8.8% |
| Welcome | 6,527 | $66,094 | $206,300 | 18.4% | 8.9% |
| Lyman | 6,547 | $75,653 | $277,600 | 29.6% | 6.1% |
| Clover | 7,234 | $85,450 | $295,700 | 29.2% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
Burton is a small city located in South Carolina, within Beaufort County. The total population is 6,912. It ranks as the 87th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Burton is 40.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Burton is $68,063. This is 2% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.1%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $247,600. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 60.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Burton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (37.8% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 7.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.4% vs 1.8%).
Education
18.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Burton, 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 Burton, South Carolina?
Burton, South Carolina has a population of 6,912 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Burton, SC?
The median household income in Burton is $68,063, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Burton, SC?
The poverty rate in Burton is 12.1%. This means approximately 838 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Burton, South Carolina?
Burton's population is 49.6% White, 37.8% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Burton, SC?
The median home value in Burton is $247,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Burton, South Carolina?
18.8% of adults (25+) in Burton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.