South Union, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Union, South Carolina had a total population of 447, the 345th largest community in South Carolina. The poverty rate is 10.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 4.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
South Union Quick Facts
How South Union 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 | 333 | 447 | +34.2% |
How South Union 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 Union Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Oconee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca | 8,993 | $52,022 | 22.1% | $240,000 |
| 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 |
| 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 South Union
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pauline | 447 | $70,486 | $331,000 | 0.0% | 2.0% |
| Briarcliffe Acres | 448 | $156,250 | $760,600 | 58.9% | 9.4% |
| Fairview Crossroads | 444 | $54,000 | $160,100 | 7.5% | 4.7% |
| Paxville | 453 | $58,958 | $133,900 | 11.4% | 19.9% |
| Bethune | 438 | $44,000 | $106,800 | 21.8% | 34.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 447, South Union'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
South Union is a small community located in South Carolina, within Oconee County. The total population is 447. It ranks as the 345th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Union is 39.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 10.7%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. 86.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in South Union was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
4.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 85% 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 92.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Union, 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 South Union, South Carolina?
South Union, South Carolina has a population of 447 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Union, SC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for South Union — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Union, SC?
The poverty rate in South Union is 10.7%. This means approximately 48 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Union, South Carolina?
South Union's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Union, SC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for South Union — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is South Union, South Carolina?
4.7% of adults (25+) in South Union hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.