Pendleton, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pendleton, South Carolina had a total population of 3,594, the 131st largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $61,901, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 50.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Carolina.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.5%.
Pendleton Quick Facts
How Pendleton 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 | 3,542 | 3,594 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $60,517 | $61,901 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $236,900 | $250,500 | +5.7% |
How Pendleton 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+)
Pendleton Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Anderson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | 30,051 | $46,933 | 21.0% | $218,200 |
| Easley | 24,841 | $66,299 | 13.9% | $263,500 |
| Clemson | 18,072 | $49,520 | 36.0% | $398,400 |
| Powdersville | 10,771 | $84,910 | 9.3% | $334,900 |
| Centerville | 7,049 | $64,380 | 8.8% | $229,700 |
| Homeland Park | 6,632 | $40,218 | 36.2% | $103,700 |
| Belton | 4,458 | $49,107 | 19.6% | $133,500 |
| Northlake | 4,390 | $89,635 | 8.8% | $277,700 |
| Williamston | 4,170 | $64,389 | 13.5% | $162,800 |
| Honea Path | 3,739 | $32,900 | 33.6% | $155,400 |
Cities Similar to Pendleton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyboo | 3,639 | $59,074 | $253,000 | 17.5% | 15.1% |
| Ridgeland | 3,764 | $62,981 | $228,400 | 8.3% | 26.8% |
| Lakewood | 3,544 | $56,500 | $294,200 | 17.0% | 8.2% |
| Wellford | 3,515 | $57,338 | $223,000 | 13.4% | 16.2% |
| Andrews | 3,485 | $57,247 | $116,400 | 10.1% | 27.2% |
Population Overview
Pendleton is a small community located in South Carolina, within Anderson County. The total population is 3,594. It ranks as the 131st most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pendleton is 40.4 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years. Only 15.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pendleton is $61,901. This is 11% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.8%. This is 55% 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 2.5%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $250,500. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 52.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pendleton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 19.1%.
Education
50.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Pendleton in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 56% higher 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 94.0%. Notably, 20.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, South Carolina?
Pendleton, South Carolina has a population of 3,594 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pendleton, SC?
The median household income in Pendleton is $61,901, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pendleton, SC?
The poverty rate in Pendleton is 21.8%. This means approximately 784 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pendleton, South Carolina?
Pendleton's population is 74.0% White, 19.1% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pendleton, SC?
The median home value in Pendleton is $250,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Pendleton, South Carolina?
50.0% of adults (25+) in Pendleton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.