Lamar, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lamar, South Carolina had a total population of 1,196, the 248th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $38,864, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 40.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (40.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Lamar Quick Facts
How Lamar 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 | 1,446 | 1,196 | -17.3% |
| Median household income | $44,000 | $38,864 | -11.7% |
| Median home value | $112,700 | $127,000 | +12.7% |
How Lamar 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+)
Lamar 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 |
| Darlington | 6,120 | $33,952 | 30.2% | $172,300 |
| North Hartsville | 3,304 | $59,744 | 27.1% | $110,600 |
| 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 Lamar
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holly Hill | 1,218 | $34,135 | $232,000 | 19.9% | 38.6% |
| Edmund | 1,161 | $43,494 | $164,100 | 13.8% | 23.8% |
| Yemassee | 1,178 | $44,896 | $161,600 | 12.7% | 27.3% |
| Jonesville | 1,118 | $40,625 | $91,700 | 6.2% | 19.8% |
| Whitmire | 1,319 | $37,837 | $53,500 | 14.8% | 24.3% |
Population Overview
Lamar is a small community located in South Carolina, within Darlington County. The total population is 1,196. It ranks as the 248th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lamar is 32.7 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 35.9% of the population under 18, Lamar has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lamar is $38,864. This is 44% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 40.6%. This is 189% 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 5.3%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $127,000. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lamar is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 39.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (39.8% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
32.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% higher 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 88.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lamar, 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 Lamar, South Carolina?
Lamar, South Carolina has a population of 1,196 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lamar, SC?
The median household income in Lamar is $38,864, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lamar, SC?
The poverty rate in Lamar is 40.6%. This means approximately 486 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lamar, South Carolina?
Lamar's population is 59.0% White, 39.8% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lamar, SC?
The median home value in Lamar is $127,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Lamar, South Carolina?
32.7% of adults (25+) in Lamar hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.