Sumter County, South Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Sumter County is located in South Carolina with a total population of 104,853. It is the 15th most populous county out of 46 in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sumter County is 37.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Sumter County is $55,990. This is 16% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 48% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $159,500. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $236,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Sumter County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Sumter County is Black or African American, making up 46.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 44.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (46.0% vs 25.1%).

Education

23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.1%.