Walterboro city, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Walterboro city, South Carolina has a total population of 5,490, the 97th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $48,366, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.6%.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Walterboro city Quick Facts
How Walterboro city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 54 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Walterboro city Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Walterboro city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel Bay CDP | 5,627 | $52,094 | $221,300 | 20.4% | 17.9% |
| Piedmont CDP | 5,786 | $51,896 | $141,200 | 12.9% | 27.7% |
| Belvedere CDP | 5,458 | $57,933 | $120,400 | 23.3% | 16.0% |
| Chester city | 5,241 | $41,231 | $106,400 | 13.1% | 25.0% |
| Central town | 5,299 | $58,262 | $228,500 | 48.6% | 31.4% |
Population Overview
Walterboro city is a small city located in South Carolina. The total population is 5,490. It ranks as the 97th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Walterboro city is 40.5 years. This is about average than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Walterboro city is $48,366. This is 28% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 30.6%. This is 116% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. 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 4.8%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $170,500. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 50.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 71.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Walterboro city is Black or African American, making up 48.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (48.1% vs 25.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.9% vs 1.7%).
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 80.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Walterboro city, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in South Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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 Walterboro city, South Carolina?
Walterboro city, South Carolina has a population of 5,490 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Walterboro city, SC?
The median household income in Walterboro city is $48,366, which is 38% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Walterboro city, SC?
The poverty rate in Walterboro city is 30.6%. This means approximately 1,626 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Walterboro city, South Carolina?
Walterboro city's population is 39.8% White, 48.1% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Walterboro city, SC?
The median home value in Walterboro city is $170,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Walterboro city, South Carolina?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Walterboro city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.