Salley, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

A note before these figures: with a population of 288, Salley'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

Salley is a small community located in South Carolina, within Aiken County. The total population is 288. It ranks as the 383rd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Salley is 37.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 28.5% of the population under 18, Salley has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 16.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Salley is $34,340. This is 50% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.0%. This is 134% 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 9.8%. This is 101% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $219,400. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 71.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Salley is Black or African American, making up 53.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 40.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (53.8% vs 24.6%).

Education

12.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 77.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Salley, 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.