Olar, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Olar, South Carolina had a total population of 139, the 430th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $27,500, which is 60% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.8% is notably above the national average.
Olar Quick Facts
How Olar 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 | 188 | 139 | -26.1% |
| Median household income | $36,607 | $27,500 | -24.9% |
| Median home value | $80,000 | $90,000 | +12.5% |
How Olar 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Olar Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Bamberg County
Cities Similar to Olar
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rembert | 144 | $27,167 | N/A | 15.0% | 0.0% |
| Kline | 154 | N/A | $104,700 | 6.7% | 16.2% |
| St. Charles | 139 | $34,653 | $273,600 | 0.0% | 7.2% |
| Cordova | 118 | N/A | $77,000 | 13.9% | 16.1% |
| Ware Place | 117 | N/A | $76,500 | 6.7% | 7.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 139, Olar's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Olar is a small community located in South Carolina, within Bamberg County. The total population is 139. It ranks as the 430th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Olar is 40.2 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years. With 31.6% of the population under 18, Olar has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Olar is $27,500. This is 60% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 66% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 58% 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 9.8%. This is 100% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $90,000. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 81.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Olar is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.3%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 74.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Olar, 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.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Olar, South Carolina?
Olar, South Carolina has a population of 139 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Olar, SC?
The median household income in Olar is $27,500, which is 66% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Olar, SC?
The poverty rate in Olar is 22.3%. This means approximately 31 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Olar, South Carolina?
Olar's population is 48.9% White, 27.3% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Olar, SC?
The median home value in Olar is $90,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Olar, South Carolina?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Olar hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.