St. Matthews, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Matthews, South Carolina had a total population of 1,645, the 221st largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $51,310, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
St. Matthews Quick Facts
How St. Matthews 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 | 1,626 | 1,645 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $55,351 | $51,310 | -7.3% |
| Median home value | $146,600 | $204,200 | +39.3% |
How St. Matthews 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+)
St. Matthews Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Calhoun County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron | 427 | $74,886 | 15.7% | $215,800 |
Cities Similar to St. Matthews
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairforest | 1,727 | $52,468 | $199,800 | 9.0% | 28.9% |
| South Sumter | 1,626 | $46,406 | $69,900 | 13.6% | 29.8% |
| Ridgeville | 1,740 | $55,637 | $181,800 | 4.3% | 7.8% |
| Pelzer | 1,722 | $58,134 | $178,100 | 24.1% | 26.9% |
| Camp Croft | 1,586 | $44,219 | $165,000 | 17.0% | 29.0% |
Population Overview
St. Matthews is a small community located in South Carolina, within Calhoun County. The total population is 1,645. It ranks as the 221st most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Matthews is 54.3 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 11.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Matthews is $51,310. This is 26% 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 31.1%. This is 121% 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 8.1%. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $204,200. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 67.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in St. Matthews is Black or African American, making up 50.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 47.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.1% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
30.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% 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 91.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Matthews, 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 St. Matthews, South Carolina?
St. Matthews, South Carolina has a population of 1,645 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Matthews, SC?
The median household income in St. Matthews is $51,310, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Matthews, SC?
The poverty rate in St. Matthews is 31.1%. This means approximately 472 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Matthews, South Carolina?
St. Matthews's population is 47.7% White, 50.1% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Matthews, SC?
The median home value in St. Matthews is $204,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is St. Matthews, South Carolina?
30.4% of adults (25+) in St. Matthews hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.