Ridgeland, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ridgeland, South Carolina had a total population of 3,764, the 126th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $62,981, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.8%.
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 (26.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.5%.
Ridgeland Quick Facts
How Ridgeland 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 | 3,756 | 3,764 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $71,023 | $62,981 | -11.3% |
| Median home value | $209,900 | $228,400 | +8.8% |
How Ridgeland 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ridgeland Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Beaufort County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island | 37,911 | $94,657 | 8.6% | $687,400 |
| Bluffton | 33,157 | $111,281 | 4.3% | $492,100 |
| Port Royal | 15,579 | $74,870 | 8.4% | $347,200 |
| Beaufort | 13,747 | $61,220 | 12.5% | $345,400 |
| Hardeeville | 10,871 | $78,365 | 11.8% | $488,900 |
| Burton | 6,912 | $68,063 | 12.1% | $247,600 |
| Laurel Bay | 5,882 | $54,345 | 17.5% | $231,800 |
| Shell Point | 1,439 | $81,630 | 3.1% | $293,300 |
| Yemassee | 1,178 | $44,896 | 27.3% | $161,600 |
| Seabrook | 799 | $63,149 | 21.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ridgeland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pendleton | 3,594 | $61,901 | $250,500 | 50.0% | 21.8% |
| Wyboo | 3,639 | $59,074 | $253,000 | 17.5% | 15.1% |
| Williamston | 4,170 | $64,389 | $162,800 | 15.4% | 13.5% |
| Lakewood | 3,544 | $56,500 | $294,200 | 17.0% | 8.2% |
| Wellford | 3,515 | $57,338 | $223,000 | 13.4% | 16.2% |
Population Overview
Ridgeland is a small community located in South Carolina, within Beaufort County. The total population is 3,764. It ranks as the 126th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ridgeland is 32.7 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ridgeland is $62,981. This is 9% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.8%. This is 91% 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 50% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $228,400. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 47.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ridgeland is Black or African American, making up 53.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 24.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (24.5%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (53.4% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.3% vs 7.4%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
8.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 78.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, South Carolina?
Ridgeland, South Carolina has a population of 3,764 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ridgeland, SC?
The median household income in Ridgeland is $62,981, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ridgeland, SC?
The poverty rate in Ridgeland is 26.8%. This means approximately 686 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ridgeland, South Carolina?
Ridgeland's population is 24.5% White, 53.4% Black, 18.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ridgeland, SC?
The median home value in Ridgeland is $228,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Ridgeland, South Carolina?
8.3% of adults (25+) in Ridgeland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.