Clemson University, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clemson University, South Carolina had a total population of 7,015, the 86th largest community in South Carolina. The poverty rate is 74.7%.
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 (74.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 100.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Carolina.
- Unemployment rate of 15.0% is notably above the national average.
Clemson University Quick Facts
How Clemson University 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 | 6,434 | 7,015 | +9.0% |
How Clemson University 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+)
Clemson University Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Pickens County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | 5,320 | $60,258 | 30.3% | $256,600 |
| 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 Clemson University
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Murray of Richland | 7,023 | $119,107 | $422,100 | 54.8% | 2.0% |
| Centerville | 7,049 | $64,380 | $229,700 | 22.3% | 8.8% |
| Burton | 6,912 | $68,063 | $247,600 | 18.8% | 12.1% |
| Clover | 7,234 | $85,450 | $295,700 | 29.2% | 8.3% |
| Hartsville | 7,419 | $49,272 | $205,600 | 33.4% | 19.6% |
Population Overview
Clemson University is a small city located in South Carolina, within Pickens County. The total population is 7,015. It ranks as the 86th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clemson University is 19.2 years. This is 52% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 1.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 74.7%. This is 431% 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 15.0%. This is 207% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. Every occupied housing unit the survey reached in Clemson University was renter-occupied. At this sample size that indicates no owner-occupied homes were captured rather than that none exist.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clemson University is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.3%. The Black or African American population (9.3%) is well below the state average of 24.6%.
Education
100.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Clemson University in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 211% higher than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 100.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clemson University, 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 Clemson University, South Carolina?
Clemson University, South Carolina has a population of 7,015 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clemson University, SC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Clemson University — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clemson University, SC?
The poverty rate in Clemson University is 74.7%. This means approximately 71 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clemson University, South Carolina?
Clemson University's population is 83.0% White, 9.3% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clemson University, SC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Clemson University — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Clemson University, South Carolina?
100.0% of adults (25+) in Clemson University hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 100.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.