Parker, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Parker, South Carolina had a total population of 12,898, the 50th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $40,043, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in South Carolina (diversity index: 71/100).
Parker Quick Facts
How Parker 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 | 12,564 | 12,898 | +2.7% |
| Median household income | $38,607 | $40,043 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $121,800 | $150,400 | +23.5% |
How Parker 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Parker Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Greenville County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | 72,935 | $71,472 | 14.0% | $487,500 |
| Greer | 41,536 | $82,626 | 10.1% | $288,700 |
| Mauldin | 27,055 | $82,331 | 8.4% | $258,500 |
| Simpsonville | 26,144 | $82,457 | 6.1% | $299,300 |
| Taylors | 24,505 | $77,144 | 10.6% | $257,500 |
| Wade Hampton | 20,898 | $77,449 | 7.2% | $339,000 |
| Five Forks | 18,656 | $141,786 | 2.5% | $452,200 |
| Berea | 16,862 | $49,829 | 22.9% | $204,700 |
| Gantt | 15,401 | $47,316 | 25.2% | $184,400 |
| Fountain Inn | 12,020 | $73,585 | 7.7% | $275,300 |
Cities Similar to Parker
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaffney | 12,596 | $41,089 | $137,700 | 23.1% | 29.1% |
| Orangeburg | 13,253 | $38,635 | $163,500 | 26.3% | 32.6% |
| Garden City | 11,591 | $47,249 | $217,400 | 22.2% | 17.7% |
| Dentsville | 15,209 | $45,473 | $163,700 | 19.8% | 15.7% |
| Gantt | 15,401 | $47,316 | $184,400 | 21.0% | 25.2% |
Population Overview
Parker is a small city located in South Carolina, within Greenville County. The total population is 12,898. It ranks as the 50th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Parker is 31.9 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Parker is $40,043. This is 42% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.6%. This is 110% 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 7.0%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $150,400. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 42.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Parker is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (34.6% vs 7.4%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
15.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 72.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Parker, 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 Parker, South Carolina?
Parker, South Carolina has a population of 12,898 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Parker, SC?
The median household income in Parker is $40,043, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Parker, SC?
The poverty rate in Parker is 29.6%. This means approximately 3,774 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Parker, South Carolina?
Parker's population is 32.1% White, 23.1% Black, 34.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Parker, SC?
The median home value in Parker is $150,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Parker, South Carolina?
15.9% of adults (25+) in Parker hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.