Orangeburg, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Orangeburg, South Carolina had a total population of 13,253, the 48th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $38,635, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.6%.
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 (32.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.8% is notably above the national average.
Orangeburg Quick Facts
How Orangeburg 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 | 13,189 | 13,253 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $33,066 | $38,635 | +16.8% |
| Median home value | $145,000 | $163,500 | +12.8% |
How Orangeburg 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+)
Orangeburg Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Orangeburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookdale | 4,291 | $39,449 | 34.8% | $96,500 |
| Wilkinson Heights | 2,012 | $25,489 | 29.7% | $81,100 |
| Edisto | 1,801 | $46,788 | 25.2% | $71,900 |
| Holly Hill | 1,218 | $34,135 | 38.6% | $232,000 |
| Branchville | 1,084 | $43,182 | 18.2% | $115,300 |
| Santee | 1,076 | $46,667 | 28.3% | $161,800 |
| Elloree | 1,035 | $33,796 | 26.4% | $192,500 |
| Bowman | 691 | $35,347 | 37.3% | $69,600 |
| North | 675 | $26,477 | 42.2% | $92,900 |
| Neeses | 524 | $37,885 | 20.4% | $44,300 |
Cities Similar to Orangeburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parker | 12,898 | $40,043 | $150,400 | 15.9% | 29.6% |
| Gaffney | 12,596 | $41,089 | $137,700 | 23.1% | 29.1% |
| Dentsville | 15,209 | $45,473 | $163,700 | 19.8% | 15.7% |
| Garden City | 11,591 | $47,249 | $217,400 | 22.2% | 17.7% |
| Gantt | 15,401 | $47,316 | $184,400 | 21.0% | 25.2% |
Population Overview
Orangeburg is a small city located in South Carolina, within Orangeburg County. The total population is 13,253. It ranks as the 48th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Orangeburg is 36.4 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Orangeburg is $38,635. 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 32.6%. This is 132% 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 11.8%. This is 141% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $163,500. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 44.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Orangeburg is Black or African American, making up 73.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (20.4%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (73.7% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
26.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 82.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Orangeburg, 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 Orangeburg, South Carolina?
Orangeburg, South Carolina has a population of 13,253 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Orangeburg, SC?
The median household income in Orangeburg is $38,635, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Orangeburg, SC?
The poverty rate in Orangeburg is 32.6%. This means approximately 3,385 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Orangeburg, South Carolina?
Orangeburg's population is 20.4% White, 73.7% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Orangeburg, SC?
The median home value in Orangeburg is $163,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Orangeburg, South Carolina?
26.3% of adults (25+) in Orangeburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.