Utica, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Utica, South Carolina had a total population of 1,339, the 236th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $55,179, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.8%.
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 (26.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.2% is notably above the national average.
Utica Quick Facts
How Utica 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 | 1,529 | 1,339 | -12.4% |
| Median home value | $135,300 | $145,400 | +7.5% |
How Utica 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+)
Utica 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 |
| Chickasaw Point | 620 | $84,875 | 8.7% | $350,700 |
| South Union | 447 | N/A | 10.7% | N/A |
| 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 Utica
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Pelzer | 1,320 | $53,750 | $172,500 | 20.1% | 17.8% |
| Langley | 1,310 | $53,646 | $99,100 | 13.0% | 27.9% |
| Fort Lawn | 1,388 | $60,288 | $185,300 | 15.7% | 13.2% |
| Prosperity | 1,318 | $62,958 | $152,200 | 16.6% | 10.1% |
| Joanna | 1,306 | $49,141 | $88,100 | 4.7% | 20.5% |
Population Overview
Utica is a small community located in South Carolina, within Oconee County. The total population is 1,339. It ranks as the 236th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Utica is 35.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 28.7% of the population under 18, Utica has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Utica is $55,179. This is 20% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.8%. This is 91% 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 12.2%. This is 150% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $145,400. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Utica is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Utica is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 40.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (40.8% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
10.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 82.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Utica, 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 Utica, South Carolina?
Utica, South Carolina has a population of 1,339 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Utica, SC?
The median household income in Utica is $55,179, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Utica, SC?
The poverty rate in Utica is 26.8%. This means approximately 359 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Utica, South Carolina?
Utica's population is 52.0% White, 40.8% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Utica, SC?
The median home value in Utica is $145,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Utica, South Carolina?
10.8% of adults (25+) in Utica hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.