Clinton, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clinton, South Carolina had a total population of 7,676, the 79th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $44,522, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Clinton Quick Facts
How Clinton 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 | 7,624 | 7,676 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $40,372 | $44,522 | +10.3% |
| Median home value | $154,700 | $173,400 | +12.1% |
How Clinton 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+)
Clinton Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Laurens County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurens | 9,336 | $49,246 | 25.4% | $180,700 |
| Watts Mills | 1,942 | $50,901 | 8.7% | $108,300 |
| Joanna | 1,306 | $49,141 | 20.5% | $88,100 |
| Gray Court | 783 | $57,500 | 19.3% | $185,900 |
| Cross Hill | 514 | $40,556 | 14.0% | $104,500 |
| Waterloo | 212 | N/A | 37.3% | N/A |
| Mountville | 136 | $70,645 | 5.9% | N/A |
| Princeton | 19 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Clinton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sans Souci | 7,665 | $45,069 | $226,500 | 28.4% | 15.9% |
| Hartsville | 7,419 | $49,272 | $205,600 | 33.4% | 19.6% |
| Clemson University | 7,015 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 74.7% |
| Bennettsville | 7,751 | $37,115 | $92,100 | 12.9% | 28.4% |
| Lancaster | 8,921 | $46,311 | $239,100 | 21.1% | 21.2% |
Population Overview
Clinton is a small city located in South Carolina, within Laurens County. The total population is 7,676. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clinton is 30.6 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clinton is $44,522. This is 36% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.7%. This is 97% 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 4.9%. The median home value is $173,400. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 51.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clinton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 40.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (40.2% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
31.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 Clinton, 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 Clinton, South Carolina?
Clinton, South Carolina has a population of 7,676 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clinton, SC?
The median household income in Clinton is $44,522, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clinton, SC?
The poverty rate in Clinton is 27.7%. This means approximately 1,762 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clinton, South Carolina?
Clinton's population is 53.1% White, 40.2% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clinton, SC?
The median home value in Clinton is $173,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Clinton, South Carolina?
31.4% of adults (25+) in Clinton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.