Clearwater, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clearwater, South Carolina had a total population of 3,319, the 139th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $51,731, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 11.5% is notably above the national average.
Clearwater Quick Facts
How Clearwater 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 | 3,124 | 3,319 | +6.2% |
| Median household income | $50,669 | $51,731 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $156,500 | $158,100 | +1.0% |
How Clearwater 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+)
Clearwater Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Aiken County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken | 32,521 | $76,746 | 17.0% | $286,800 |
| North Augusta | 25,653 | $86,092 | 6.6% | $233,600 |
| Belvedere | 5,180 | $53,021 | 16.8% | $143,500 |
| Burnettown | 3,135 | $50,347 | 19.6% | $189,800 |
| New Ellenton | 2,837 | $58,476 | 17.3% | $174,200 |
| Gloverville | 2,505 | $52,197 | 15.6% | $89,800 |
| Graniteville | 2,056 | $38,938 | 37.3% | $112,200 |
| Jackson | 1,870 | $39,634 | 11.1% | $199,800 |
| Beech Island | 1,578 | $36,027 | 34.3% | $116,800 |
| Langley | 1,310 | $53,646 | 27.9% | $99,100 |
Cities Similar to Clearwater
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcadia | 3,426 | $55,218 | $116,800 | 18.6% | 21.3% |
| Burnettown | 3,135 | $50,347 | $189,800 | 19.4% | 19.6% |
| North Hartsville | 3,304 | $59,744 | $110,600 | 33.5% | 27.1% |
| Pickens | 3,155 | $55,000 | $204,100 | 19.8% | 16.7% |
| Andrews | 3,485 | $57,247 | $116,400 | 10.1% | 27.2% |
Population Overview
Clearwater is a small community located in South Carolina, within Aiken County. The total population is 3,319. It ranks as the 139th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clearwater is 39.0 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clearwater is $51,731. This is 25% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 11.5%. This is 135% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $158,100. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 57.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clearwater is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.1% vs 7.4%).
Education
10.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 87.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, South Carolina?
Clearwater, South Carolina has a population of 3,319 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clearwater, SC?
The median household income in Clearwater is $51,731, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clearwater, SC?
The poverty rate in Clearwater is 17.3%. This means approximately 567 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clearwater, South Carolina?
Clearwater's population is 52.7% White, 13.7% Black, 24.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clearwater, SC?
The median home value in Clearwater is $158,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Clearwater, South Carolina?
10.8% of adults (25+) in Clearwater hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.