Clemson city, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Clemson city is a small city located in South Carolina. The total population is 17,759. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Clemson city is 24.6 years. This is 39% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 10.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Clemson city is $49,713. This is 26% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 36.1%. This is 155% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. 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 4.1%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $359,100. Housing costs are 52% higher than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 35.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 50% lower than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Clemson city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.5%. The Black or African American population (8.5%) is well below the state average of 25.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.0% vs 1.7%).

Education

59.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Clemson city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 87% higher than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.5%. Notably, 34.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Clemson city, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in South Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.