South Sumter, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Sumter, South Carolina had a total population of 1,626, the 222nd largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $46,406, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.8%.
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 (29.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.4% is notably above the national average.
South Sumter Quick Facts
How South Sumter 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 | 1,808 | 1,626 | -10.1% |
| Median household income | $42,708 | $46,406 | +8.7% |
| Median home value | $69,100 | $69,900 | +1.2% |
How South Sumter 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
South Sumter Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Sumter County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumter | 43,053 | $55,592 | 16.7% | $199,100 |
| Lakewood | 3,544 | $56,500 | 8.2% | $294,200 |
| Dalzell | 2,946 | $47,354 | 15.3% | $157,500 |
| Cherryvale | 2,611 | $40,428 | 23.0% | $90,500 |
| Privateer | 2,472 | $49,191 | 20.5% | $121,100 |
| Stateburg | 2,027 | $66,481 | 11.2% | $206,700 |
| Wedgefield | 1,968 | $44,410 | 9.6% | $26,500 |
| Cane Savannah | 1,551 | $131,705 | 4.6% | $265,500 |
| Oakland | 1,060 | $68,778 | 22.8% | $123,200 |
| East Sumter | 943 | N/A | 19.7% | $72,900 |
Cities Similar to South Sumter
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Croft | 1,586 | $44,219 | $165,000 | 17.0% | 29.0% |
| St. Matthews | 1,645 | $51,310 | $204,200 | 30.4% | 31.1% |
| Edisto | 1,801 | $46,788 | $71,900 | 21.3% | 25.2% |
| Fairforest | 1,727 | $52,468 | $199,800 | 9.0% | 28.9% |
| Chesterfield | 1,465 | $44,526 | $184,200 | 18.4% | 28.3% |
Population Overview
South Sumter is a small community located in South Carolina, within Sumter County. The total population is 1,626. It ranks as the 222nd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Sumter is 43.9 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Sumter is $46,406. This is 33% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.8%. This is 112% 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 11.4%. This is 133% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $69,900. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, South Sumter is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Sumter is Black or African American, making up 83.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (83.6% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.3% vs 7.4%).
Education
13.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 84.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Sumter, 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 South Sumter, South Carolina?
South Sumter, South Carolina has a population of 1,626 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Sumter, SC?
The median household income in South Sumter is $46,406, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Sumter, SC?
The poverty rate in South Sumter is 29.8%. This means approximately 485 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Sumter, South Carolina?
South Sumter's population is 4.1% White, 83.6% Black, 12.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Sumter, SC?
The median home value in South Sumter is $69,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is South Sumter, South Carolina?
13.6% of adults (25+) in South Sumter hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.