Hampton County, South Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Hampton County is located in South Carolina with a total population of 18,555. It is the 41st most populous county out of 46 in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hampton County is 40.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Hampton County is $43,059. This is 36% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.0%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. 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 10.0%. This is 103% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $102,400. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $236,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Hampton County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Hampton County is Black or African American, making up 52.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 40.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (52.3% vs 25.1%).

Education

11.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.5%.