Walterboro, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Walterboro, South Carolina had a total population of 5,480, the 97th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $56,457, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.2%.
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 (28.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Walterboro Quick Facts
How Walterboro 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 | 5,490 | 5,480 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $48,366 | $56,457 | +16.7% |
| Median home value | $170,500 | $183,500 | +7.6% |
How Walterboro 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+)
Walterboro Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Colleton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottageville | 1,196 | $80,938 | 8.0% | $164,700 |
| Edisto Beach | 1,092 | $85,521 | 2.5% | $719,200 |
| Jacksonboro | 336 | $113,242 | 10.7% | $98,500 |
| Williams | 100 | N/A | 48.0% | N/A |
| Lodge | 98 | $36,750 | 34.7% | $59,100 |
| Smoaks | 95 | $84,583 | 2.1% | $155,000 |
| Islandton | 56 | $26,458 | 32.1% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Walterboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont | 5,462 | $52,764 | $161,900 | 18.6% | 25.4% |
| Central | 5,320 | $60,258 | $256,600 | 56.1% | 30.3% |
| Belvedere | 5,180 | $53,021 | $143,500 | 22.4% | 16.8% |
| Laurel Bay | 5,882 | $54,345 | $231,800 | 19.3% | 17.5% |
| Chester | 5,218 | $46,138 | $123,000 | 14.0% | 19.4% |
Population Overview
Walterboro is a small city located in South Carolina, within Colleton County. The total population is 5,480. It ranks as the 97th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Walterboro is 35.2 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Walterboro is $56,457. This is 19% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.2%. This is 100% 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 6.1%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $183,500. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 50.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Walterboro is Black or African American, making up 50.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.2% vs 24.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.7% vs 1.8%).
Education
25.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 84.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Walterboro, 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 Walterboro, South Carolina?
Walterboro, South Carolina has a population of 5,480 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Walterboro, SC?
The median household income in Walterboro is $56,457, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Walterboro, SC?
The poverty rate in Walterboro is 28.2%. This means approximately 1,497 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Walterboro, South Carolina?
Walterboro's population is 41.5% White, 50.2% Black, 4.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Walterboro, SC?
The median home value in Walterboro is $183,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Walterboro, South Carolina?
25.0% of adults (25+) in Walterboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.