Carolina Forest, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carolina Forest, South Carolina had a total population of 26,263, the 21st largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $74,436, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Carolina Forest Quick Facts
How Carolina Forest 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 | 26,373 | 26,263 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $70,647 | $74,436 | +5.4% |
| Median home value | $298,700 | $336,800 | +12.8% |
How Carolina Forest 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+)
Carolina Forest Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Horry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach | 38,371 | $60,394 | 19.0% | $388,800 |
| Conway | 27,263 | $56,650 | 21.0% | $260,900 |
| Socastee | 23,796 | $62,257 | 12.6% | $234,200 |
| North Myrtle Beach | 19,855 | $72,722 | 7.4% | $416,900 |
| Red Hill | 15,920 | $68,250 | 19.1% | $249,500 |
| Little River | 11,771 | $65,786 | 12.7% | $305,800 |
| Garden City | 11,591 | $47,249 | 17.7% | $217,400 |
| Forestbrook | 7,479 | $81,286 | 6.8% | $335,800 |
| Surfside Beach | 4,270 | $70,106 | 16.8% | $450,100 |
| Homewood | 2,708 | $64,659 | 21.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Carolina Forest
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simpsonville | 26,144 | $82,457 | $299,300 | 37.9% | 6.1% |
| Mauldin | 27,055 | $82,331 | $258,500 | 38.7% | 8.4% |
| Taylors | 24,505 | $77,144 | $257,500 | 46.8% | 10.6% |
| North Augusta | 25,653 | $86,092 | $233,600 | 36.7% | 6.6% |
| Easley | 24,841 | $66,299 | $263,500 | 31.9% | 13.9% |
Population Overview
Carolina Forest is a mid-sized community located in South Carolina, within Horry County. The total population is 26,263. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carolina Forest is 40.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carolina Forest is $74,436. This is 7% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $336,800. Housing costs are 30% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 69.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carolina Forest is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.1%. The Black or African American population (8.1%) is well below the state average of 24.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.9% vs 1.8%).
Education
35.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 96.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carolina Forest, 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 Carolina Forest, South Carolina?
Carolina Forest, South Carolina has a population of 26,263 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carolina Forest, SC?
The median household income in Carolina Forest is $74,436, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carolina Forest, SC?
The poverty rate in Carolina Forest is 13.0%. This means approximately 3,382 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carolina Forest, South Carolina?
Carolina Forest's population is 77.2% White, 8.1% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carolina Forest, SC?
The median home value in Carolina Forest is $336,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Carolina Forest, South Carolina?
35.5% of adults (25+) in Carolina Forest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.