Darlington, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Darlington, South Carolina had a total population of 6,120, the 93rd largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $33,952, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Darlington Quick Facts
How Darlington 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 | 6,128 | 6,120 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $31,240 | $33,952 | +8.7% |
| Median home value | $163,000 | $172,300 | +5.7% |
How Darlington 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Darlington Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Darlington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartsville | 7,419 | $49,272 | 19.6% | $205,600 |
| North Hartsville | 3,304 | $59,744 | 27.1% | $110,600 |
| Lamar | 1,196 | $38,864 | 40.6% | $127,000 |
| Dovesville | 1,120 | $31,918 | 52.9% | $96,600 |
| Pine Ridge | 637 | $61,192 | 17.6% | $113,300 |
| Society Hill | 388 | $32,656 | 19.3% | $92,800 |
| Lydia | 190 | N/A | 18.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Darlington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake City | 5,988 | $33,600 | $144,300 | 19.6% | 25.7% |
| Marion | 6,206 | $30,662 | $137,300 | 19.8% | 26.8% |
| Dillon | 6,354 | $35,891 | $115,500 | 12.4% | 32.8% |
| Clemson University | 7,015 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 74.7% |
| Homeland Park | 6,632 | $40,218 | $103,700 | 9.2% | 36.2% |
Population Overview
Darlington is a small city located in South Carolina, within Darlington County. The total population is 6,120. It ranks as the 93rd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Darlington is 45.0 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 10.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Darlington is $33,952. This is 51% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 58% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.2%. This is 114% 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 7.1%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $172,300. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 52.0% 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 Darlington is Black or African American, making up 61.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (61.3% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 83.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Darlington, 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 Darlington, South Carolina?
Darlington, South Carolina has a population of 6,120 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Darlington, SC?
The median household income in Darlington is $33,952, which is 58% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Darlington, SC?
The poverty rate in Darlington is 30.2%. This means approximately 1,791 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Darlington, South Carolina?
Darlington's population is 32.5% White, 61.3% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Darlington, SC?
The median home value in Darlington is $172,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Darlington, South Carolina?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Darlington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.