Sumter, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sumter, South Carolina had a total population of 43,053, the 9th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $55,592, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sumter Quick Facts
How 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 | 43,065 | 43,053 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $53,071 | $55,592 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $188,400 | $199,100 | +5.7% |
How 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sumter Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Sumter County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| South Sumter | 1,626 | $46,406 | 29.8% | $69,900 |
| 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 Sumter
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | 40,408 | $56,143 | $211,400 | 30.4% | 18.9% |
| Spartanburg | 38,910 | $51,964 | $203,700 | 32.6% | 23.8% |
| Myrtle Beach | 38,371 | $60,394 | $388,800 | 33.5% | 19.0% |
| Greer | 41,536 | $82,626 | $288,700 | 41.4% | 10.1% |
| Goose Creek | 48,078 | $88,178 | $306,000 | 29.7% | 6.5% |
Population Overview
Sumter is a mid-sized community located in South Carolina, within Sumter County. The total population is 43,053. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sumter is 33.6 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sumter is $55,592. This is 20% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.7%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $199,100. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 57.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sumter is Black or African American, making up 46.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (46.1% vs 24.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.8% vs 1.8%).
Education
28.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for 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 Sumter, South Carolina?
Sumter, South Carolina has a population of 43,053 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sumter, SC?
The median household income in Sumter is $55,592, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sumter, SC?
The poverty rate in Sumter is 16.7%. This means approximately 6,899 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sumter, South Carolina?
Sumter's population is 38.4% White, 46.1% Black, 7.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sumter, SC?
The median home value in Sumter is $199,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Sumter, South Carolina?
28.7% of adults (25+) in Sumter hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.