Estill, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Estill, South Carolina had a total population of 1,886, the 206th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $36,111, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 5.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Estill Quick Facts
How Estill 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 | 2,287 | 1,886 | -17.5% |
| Median household income | $36,547 | $36,111 | -1.2% |
| Median home value | $79,500 | $94,100 | +18.4% |
How Estill 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+)
Estill Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Hampton County
Cities Similar to Estill
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigerville | 1,880 | N/A | N/A | 65.3% | 13.4% |
| Eureka Mill | 1,813 | $36,486 | $180,300 | 9.1% | 40.5% |
| Jackson | 1,870 | $39,634 | $199,800 | 16.1% | 11.1% |
| Cowpens | 1,840 | $39,094 | $160,300 | 15.1% | 29.1% |
| Monarch Mill | 1,822 | $39,350 | $82,600 | 6.0% | 21.0% |
Population Overview
Estill is a small community located in South Carolina, within Hampton County. The total population is 1,886. It ranks as the 206th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Estill is 33.4 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Estill is $36,111. This is 48% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.4%. This is 74% 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 6.5%. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $94,100. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Estill is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Estill is Black or African American, making up 78.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 13.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.6%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (78.1% vs 24.6%).
Education
5.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 83% 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 81.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Estill, 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 Estill, South Carolina?
Estill, South Carolina has a population of 1,886 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Estill, SC?
The median household income in Estill is $36,111, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Estill, SC?
The poverty rate in Estill is 24.4%. This means approximately 438 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Estill, South Carolina?
Estill's population is 13.6% White, 78.1% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Estill, SC?
The median home value in Estill is $94,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Estill, South Carolina?
5.5% of adults (25+) in Estill hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.