Dorchester County, South Carolina Demographics 2026
Dorchester County, South Carolina has a population of 167,201, the 12th most populous county in South Carolina. The median household income is $78,198 and the median home value is $329,300. The poverty rate is 11.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Dorchester County Quick Facts
How Dorchester County 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 | 164,322 | 167,201 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $76,896 | $78,198 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $294,400 | $329,300 | +11.9% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Dorchester County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. George | 2,154 | $33,125 | 28.3% | $113,500 |
| Ridgeville | 1,740 | $55,637 | 7.8% | $181,800 |
| Harleyville | 592 | $64,844 | 25.9% | $199,600 |
| Grover | 345 | N/A | 51.2% | N/A |
| Reevesville | 271 | $77,250 | 7.4% | $165,000 |
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Population Overview
Dorchester County is located in South Carolina with a total population of 167,201. It is the 12th most populous county out of 46 in South Carolina. The county encompasses 5 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dorchester County is 38.0 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dorchester County is $78,198. This is 13% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.4%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $329,300. Housing costs are 27% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 75.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dorchester County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 24.9%.
Education
29.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% 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 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Dorchester County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against South Carolina and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Dorchester County, South Carolina?
Dorchester County has a population of 167,201, making it the 12th most populous county in South Carolina.
What is the median income in Dorchester County?
The median household income in Dorchester County is $78,198 with a poverty rate of 11.4%.
How many cities are in Dorchester County, South Carolina?
Dorchester County contains 5 Census-designated places.