Santee, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Santee, South Carolina had a total population of 1,076, the 261st largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $46,667, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Santee Quick Facts
How Santee 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 | 1,179 | 1,076 | -8.7% |
| Median household income | $36,856 | $46,667 | +26.6% |
| Median home value | $163,800 | $161,800 | -1.2% |
How Santee 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+)
Santee Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Orangeburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orangeburg | 13,253 | $38,635 | 32.6% | $163,500 |
| Brookdale | 4,291 | $39,449 | 34.8% | $96,500 |
| Wilkinson Heights | 2,012 | $25,489 | 29.7% | $81,100 |
| Edisto | 1,801 | $46,788 | 25.2% | $71,900 |
| Holly Hill | 1,218 | $34,135 | 38.6% | $232,000 |
| Branchville | 1,084 | $43,182 | 18.2% | $115,300 |
| Elloree | 1,035 | $33,796 | 26.4% | $192,500 |
| Bowman | 691 | $35,347 | 37.3% | $69,600 |
| North | 675 | $26,477 | 42.2% | $92,900 |
| Neeses | 524 | $37,885 | 20.4% | $44,300 |
Cities Similar to Santee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Branchville | 1,084 | $43,182 | $115,300 | 17.3% | 18.2% |
| Lincolnville | 1,064 | $40,417 | $245,100 | 14.6% | 23.5% |
| Warrenville | 1,042 | $53,418 | $75,500 | 14.4% | 6.0% |
| Jonesville | 1,118 | $40,625 | $91,700 | 6.2% | 19.8% |
| Yemassee | 1,178 | $44,896 | $161,600 | 12.7% | 27.3% |
Population Overview
Santee is a small community located in South Carolina, within Orangeburg County. The total population is 1,076. It ranks as the 261st most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Santee is 47.4 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Santee is $46,667. This is 33% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.3%. This is 101% 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 2.2%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $161,800. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 65.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Santee is Black or African American, making up 69.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.1%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (69.6% vs 24.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (11.3% vs 1.8%).
Education
31.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 84.6%. Notably, 21.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Santee, 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 Santee, South Carolina?
Santee, South Carolina has a population of 1,076 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Santee, SC?
The median household income in Santee is $46,667, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Santee, SC?
The poverty rate in Santee is 28.3%. This means approximately 296 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Santee, South Carolina?
Santee's population is 18.1% White, 69.6% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Santee, SC?
The median home value in Santee is $161,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Santee, South Carolina?
31.1% of adults (25+) in Santee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.