Laurel Bay CDP, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Laurel Bay CDP is a small city located in South Carolina. The total population is 5,627. It ranks as the 96th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Laurel Bay CDP is 23.3 years. This is 42% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. With 33.5% of the population under 18, Laurel Bay CDP has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Laurel Bay CDP is $52,094. This is 22% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 26% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. The unemployment rate is 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $221,300. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 24.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 66% lower than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Laurel Bay CDP is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (37.9% vs 25.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.5% vs 7.1%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.

Education

20.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 88.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Laurel Bay CDP, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in South Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.