Privateer, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Privateer, South Carolina had a total population of 2,472, the 176th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $49,191, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 8.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.0% is notably above the national average.
Privateer Quick Facts
How Privateer 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 | 2,294 | 2,472 | +7.8% |
| Median household income | $49,861 | $49,191 | -1.3% |
| Median home value | $96,800 | $121,100 | +25.1% |
How Privateer 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
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+)
Privateer 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 |
| 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 |
| East Sumter | 943 | N/A | 19.7% | $72,900 |
Cities Similar to Privateer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Avon | 2,487 | $47,489 | $211,300 | 30.5% | 20.3% |
| Gloverville | 2,505 | $52,197 | $89,800 | 16.0% | 15.6% |
| Pageland | 2,489 | $42,679 | $186,600 | 8.8% | 20.0% |
| Ninety Six | 2,521 | $55,417 | $121,000 | 23.9% | 22.6% |
| Pacolet | 2,419 | $42,359 | $89,600 | 17.5% | 15.0% |
Population Overview
Privateer is a small community located in South Carolina, within Sumter County. The total population is 2,472. It ranks as the 176th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Privateer is 33.5 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 33.1% of the population under 18, Privateer has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Privateer is $49,191. This is 29% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.5%. This is 46% 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 9.0%. This is 83% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $121,100. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Privateer is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Privateer is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
8.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 85.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Privateer, 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 Privateer, South Carolina?
Privateer, South Carolina has a population of 2,472 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Privateer, SC?
The median household income in Privateer is $49,191, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Privateer, SC?
The poverty rate in Privateer is 20.5%. This means approximately 508 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Privateer, South Carolina?
Privateer's population is 78.6% White, 18.2% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Privateer, SC?
The median home value in Privateer is $121,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Privateer, South Carolina?
8.5% of adults (25+) in Privateer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.