Oswego, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oswego, South Carolina had a total population of 172, the 420th largest community in South Carolina. The poverty rate is 100.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (100.0%), 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%.
Oswego Quick Facts
How Oswego 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 | 211 | 172 | -18.5% |
How Oswego Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Oswego Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Sumter County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumter | 43,053 | $55,592 | 16.7% | $199,100 |
| Lakewood | 3,544 | $56,500 | 8.2% | $294,200 |
| Dalzell | 2,946 | $47,354 | 15.3% | $157,500 |
| Cherryvale | 2,611 | $40,428 | 23.0% | $90,500 |
| Privateer | 2,472 | $49,191 | 20.5% | $121,100 |
| Stateburg | 2,027 | $66,481 | 11.2% | $206,700 |
| Wedgefield | 1,968 | $44,410 | 9.6% | $26,500 |
| South Sumter | 1,626 | $46,406 | 29.8% | $69,900 |
| Cane Savannah | 1,551 | $131,705 | 4.6% | $265,500 |
| Oakland | 1,060 | $68,778 | 22.8% | $123,200 |
Cities Similar to Oswego
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradesville | 174 | $59,625 | $172,500 | 0.0% | 5.2% |
| Mount Croghan | 170 | $68,594 | $116,700 | 22.3% | 15.9% |
| Pawleys Island | 170 | $122,500 | $1,694,400 | 88.0% | 21.8% |
| Salem | 177 | $62,143 | $167,500 | 9.1% | 11.5% |
| Troy | 177 | $48,250 | N/A | 17.5% | 17.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 172, Oswego'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
Oswego is a small community located in South Carolina, within Sumter County. The total population is 172. It ranks as the 420th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oswego is 15.2 years. This is 62% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 62.8% of the population under 18, Oswego has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 100.0%. This is 611% 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. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Oswego was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
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. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oswego, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Oswego, South Carolina?
Oswego, South Carolina has a population of 172 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oswego, SC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Oswego — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oswego, SC?
The poverty rate in Oswego is 100.0%. This means approximately 172 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oswego, South Carolina?
Oswego's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oswego, SC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Oswego — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Oswego, South Carolina?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Oswego hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.