Seneca, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Seneca, South Carolina had a total population of 8,993, the 68th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $52,022, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Seneca Quick Facts
How Seneca 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 | 8,910 | 8,993 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $52,207 | $52,022 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $223,100 | $240,000 | +7.6% |
How Seneca 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+)
Seneca Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Oconee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walhalla | 4,157 | $36,327 | 45.9% | $171,900 |
| Keowee Key | 3,351 | $124,788 | 2.1% | $556,000 |
| Westminster | 2,521 | $40,946 | 21.3% | $178,100 |
| Utica | 1,339 | $55,179 | 26.8% | $145,400 |
| Chickasaw Point | 620 | $84,875 | 8.7% | $350,700 |
| South Union | 447 | N/A | 10.7% | N/A |
| Newry | 412 | $45,407 | 26.0% | $303,400 |
| West Union | 370 | $48,393 | 6.2% | $147,700 |
| Salem | 177 | $62,143 | 11.5% | $167,500 |
| Tamassee | 35 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Cities Similar to Seneca
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York | 8,969 | $56,176 | $198,600 | 18.6% | 15.9% |
| Laurens | 9,336 | $49,246 | $180,700 | 13.9% | 25.4% |
| Lancaster | 8,921 | $46,311 | $239,100 | 21.1% | 21.2% |
| Georgetown | 8,565 | $56,981 | $168,100 | 22.1% | 21.9% |
| Travelers Rest | 8,370 | $54,583 | $284,800 | 42.4% | 22.0% |
Population Overview
Seneca is a small city located in South Carolina, within Oconee County. The total population is 8,993. It ranks as the 68th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Seneca is 39.6 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Seneca is $52,022. This is 25% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.1%. This is 57% 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 8.9%. This is 83% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $240,000. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 51.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Seneca is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.4%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
29.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Seneca, 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.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Seneca, South Carolina?
Seneca, South Carolina has a population of 8,993 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Seneca, SC?
The median household income in Seneca is $52,022, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Seneca, SC?
The poverty rate in Seneca is 22.1%. This means approximately 1,980 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Seneca, South Carolina?
Seneca's population is 72.9% White, 17.4% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Seneca, SC?
The median home value in Seneca is $240,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Seneca, South Carolina?
29.1% of adults (25+) in Seneca hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.