Olympia, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Olympia, South Carolina had a total population of 935, the 276th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $29,663, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 77.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (77.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Olympia Quick Facts
How Olympia 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 | 1,301 | 935 | -28.1% |
How Olympia 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+)
Olympia Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Richland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 139,643 | $55,529 | 24.0% | $264,300 |
| St. Andrews | 19,868 | $46,511 | 25.4% | $161,300 |
| Dentsville | 15,209 | $45,473 | 15.7% | $163,700 |
| Cayce | 13,741 | $62,045 | 13.7% | $166,800 |
| Irmo | 11,813 | $80,489 | 9.2% | $203,400 |
| Forest Acres | 10,530 | $78,306 | 8.2% | $279,300 |
| Woodfield | 9,465 | $45,526 | 19.8% | $150,800 |
| Lake Murray of Richland | 7,023 | $119,107 | 2.0% | $422,100 |
| Blythewood | 5,731 | $94,167 | 4.8% | $384,600 |
| Capitol View | 4,374 | $46,645 | 10.6% | $187,600 |
Cities Similar to Olympia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Sumter | 943 | N/A | $72,900 | 9.8% | 19.7% |
| Cateechee | 850 | N/A | $171,900 | 9.1% | 1.8% |
| Iva | 972 | $25,000 | $156,400 | 12.2% | 39.3% |
| Van Wyck | 951 | $38,250 | $279,200 | 13.1% | 5.4% |
| Chesnee | 896 | $37,708 | $103,700 | 9.4% | 32.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 935, Olympia'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
Olympia is a small community located in South Carolina, within Richland County. The total population is 935. It ranks as the 276th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Olympia is 24.2 years. This is 40% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 13.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Olympia is $29,663. This is 57% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 63% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 77.1%. This is 448% 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 6.1%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. 21.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 70% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Olympia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.7%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 24.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.7% vs 7.4%).
Education
0.0% 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. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 65.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Olympia, 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 Olympia, South Carolina?
Olympia, South Carolina has a population of 935 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Olympia, SC?
The median household income in Olympia is $29,663, which is 63% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Olympia, SC?
The poverty rate in Olympia is 77.1%. This means approximately 721 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Olympia, South Carolina?
Olympia's population is 66.2% White, 1.4% Black, 22.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Olympia, SC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Olympia — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Olympia, South Carolina?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Olympia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.