Central, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Central, South Carolina had a total population of 5,320, the 100th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $60,258, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 56.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Carolina.
Central Quick Facts
How Central 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 | 5,299 | 5,320 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $58,262 | $60,258 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $228,500 | $256,600 | +12.3% |
How Central 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+)
Central Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Pickens County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson University | 7,015 | N/A | 74.7% | N/A |
| Liberty | 3,350 | $42,206 | 21.5% | $174,300 |
| Pickens | 3,155 | $55,000 | 16.7% | $204,100 |
| Arial | 1,919 | $54,286 | 7.9% | $181,300 |
| Six Mile | 931 | $96,250 | 5.7% | $338,700 |
| Cateechee | 850 | N/A | 1.8% | $171,900 |
| Norris | 784 | $50,750 | 15.0% | $183,100 |
| Dacusville | 198 | $51,000 | 5.1% | $293,500 |
Cities Similar to Central
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walterboro | 5,480 | $56,457 | $183,500 | 25.0% | 28.2% |
| Belvedere | 5,180 | $53,021 | $143,500 | 22.4% | 16.8% |
| Piedmont | 5,462 | $52,764 | $161,900 | 18.6% | 25.4% |
| Hollywood | 5,382 | $73,693 | $460,100 | 32.1% | 12.2% |
| Laurel Bay | 5,882 | $54,345 | $231,800 | 19.3% | 17.5% |
Population Overview
Central is a small city located in South Carolina, within Pickens County. The total population is 5,320. It ranks as the 100th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Central is 24.0 years. This is 40% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Central is $60,258. This is 13% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.3%. This is 116% 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 4.5%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $256,600. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 26.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 63% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Central is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.7%. The Black or African American population (10.7%) is well below the state average of 24.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.9% vs 1.8%).
Education
56.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Central in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 75% 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 93.3%. Notably, 18.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Central, 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.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Central, South Carolina?
Central, South Carolina has a population of 5,320 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Central, SC?
The median household income in Central is $60,258, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Central, SC?
The poverty rate in Central is 30.3%. This means approximately 1,481 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Central, South Carolina?
Central's population is 61.2% White, 10.7% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Central, SC?
The median home value in Central is $256,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Central, South Carolina?
56.1% of adults (25+) in Central hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.