Lee County, South Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Lee County is located in South Carolina with a total population of 16,330. It is the 42nd most populous county out of 46 in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lee County is 41.8 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lee County is $44,145. This is 34% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 44% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 64% 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 5.7%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $101,900. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $236,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Lee County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.5% 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 Lee County is Black or African American, making up 62.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (62.2% vs 25.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.

Education

12.8% 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 59% 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 81.0%.