Santee town, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Santee town, South Carolina has a total population of 1,179, the 248th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $36,856, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Santee town Quick Facts
How Santee town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 54 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Santee town Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Santee town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City View CDP | 1,172 | $37,625 | N/A | 12.8% | 45.5% |
| Branchville town | 1,169 | $40,144 | $98,900 | 17.6% | 15.6% |
| Gayle Mill CDP | 1,119 | N/A | $26,800 | 3.5% | 32.0% |
| Edmund CDP | 1,274 | $35,750 | $100,200 | 8.9% | 29.6% |
| Olympia CDP | 1,301 | N/A | $189,200 | 2.2% | 86.2% |
Population Overview
Santee town is a small community located in South Carolina. The total population is 1,179. It ranks as the 248th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Santee town is 51.6 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Santee town is $36,856. This is 45% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 53% lower. The poverty rate stands at 37.8%. This is 166% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. 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 2.0%. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $163,800. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 64.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 71.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Santee town is Black or African American, making up 72.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.8%) is well below the state average of 62.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (72.0% vs 25.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (10.1% vs 1.7%).
Education
26.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.3%. Notably, 18.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Santee town, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in South Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Santee town, South Carolina?
Santee town, South Carolina has a population of 1,179 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Santee town, SC?
The median household income in Santee town is $36,856, which is 53% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Santee town, SC?
The poverty rate in Santee town is 37.8%. This means approximately 428 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Santee town, South Carolina?
Santee town's population is 16.8% White, 72.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Santee town, SC?
The median home value in Santee town is $163,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Santee town, South Carolina?
26.2% of adults (25+) in Santee town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.