Cope, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cope, South Carolina had a total population of 15, the 472nd largest town in South Carolina. The poverty rate is 66.7%.
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 (66.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Cope Quick Facts
How Cope 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 | 27 | 15 | -44.4% |
How Cope 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+)
Cope Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Orangeburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orangeburg | 13,253 | $38,635 | 32.6% | $163,500 |
| Brookdale | 4,291 | $39,449 | 34.8% | $96,500 |
| Wilkinson Heights | 2,012 | $25,489 | 29.7% | $81,100 |
| Edisto | 1,801 | $46,788 | 25.2% | $71,900 |
| Holly Hill | 1,218 | $34,135 | 38.6% | $232,000 |
| Branchville | 1,084 | $43,182 | 18.2% | $115,300 |
| Santee | 1,076 | $46,667 | 28.3% | $161,800 |
| Elloree | 1,035 | $33,796 | 26.4% | $192,500 |
| Bowman | 691 | $35,347 | 37.3% | $69,600 |
| North | 675 | $26,477 | 42.2% | $92,900 |
Cities Similar to Cope
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton | 19 | N/A | N/A | 36.8% | 0.0% |
| Caesars Head | 11 | N/A | N/A | 54.5% | 0.0% |
| Live Oak | 22 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Tamassee | 35 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cherokee Falls | 36 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 15, Cope's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Cope is a small community located in South Carolina, within Orangeburg County. The total population is 15. It ranks as the 472nd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cope is 52.8 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 66.7%. This is 374% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Cope, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 16.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 77% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cope is Black or African American, making up 80.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (20.0%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (80.0% vs 24.6%).
Education
6.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 26.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cope, 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 Cope, South Carolina?
Cope, South Carolina has a population of 15 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cope, SC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Cope — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cope, SC?
The poverty rate in Cope is 66.7%. This means approximately 10 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cope, South Carolina?
Cope's population is 20.0% White, 80.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cope, SC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Cope — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Cope, South Carolina?
6.7% of adults (25+) in Cope hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.