Wagener, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wagener, South Carolina had a total population of 1,193, the 250th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $48,621, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.0% is notably above the national average.
Wagener Quick Facts
How Wagener 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 | 1,170 | 1,193 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $45,753 | $48,621 | +6.3% |
How Wagener 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+)
Wagener Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Aiken County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken | 32,521 | $76,746 | 17.0% | $286,800 |
| North Augusta | 25,653 | $86,092 | 6.6% | $233,600 |
| Belvedere | 5,180 | $53,021 | 16.8% | $143,500 |
| Clearwater | 3,319 | $51,731 | 17.3% | $158,100 |
| Burnettown | 3,135 | $50,347 | 19.6% | $189,800 |
| New Ellenton | 2,837 | $58,476 | 17.3% | $174,200 |
| Gloverville | 2,505 | $52,197 | 15.6% | $89,800 |
| Graniteville | 2,056 | $38,938 | 37.3% | $112,200 |
| Jackson | 1,870 | $39,634 | 11.1% | $199,800 |
| Beech Island | 1,578 | $36,027 | 34.3% | $116,800 |
Cities Similar to Wagener
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yemassee | 1,178 | $44,896 | $161,600 | 12.7% | 27.3% |
| Due West | 1,177 | $53,603 | $185,000 | 40.4% | 17.6% |
| Edmund | 1,161 | $43,494 | $164,100 | 13.8% | 23.8% |
| Johnsonville | 1,251 | $44,830 | $167,100 | 15.8% | 20.9% |
| Lake Secession | 1,268 | $51,875 | $382,600 | 22.1% | 7.0% |
Population Overview
Wagener is a small community located in South Carolina, within Aiken County. The total population is 1,193. It ranks as the 250th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wagener is 36.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wagener is $48,621. This is 30% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.1%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 8.0%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $156,300. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 67.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wagener is Black or African American, making up 50.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.1% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
23.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 92.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wagener, 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 Wagener, South Carolina?
Wagener, South Carolina has a population of 1,193 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wagener, SC?
The median household income in Wagener is $48,621, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wagener, SC?
The poverty rate in Wagener is 14.1%. This means approximately 167 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wagener, South Carolina?
Wagener's population is 41.9% White, 50.1% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wagener, SC?
The median home value in Wagener is $156,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Wagener, South Carolina?
23.1% of adults (25+) in Wagener hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.