Waterloo, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waterloo, South Carolina had a total population of 212, the 404th largest town in South Carolina. The poverty rate is 37.3%.
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 (37.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Waterloo Quick Facts
How Waterloo 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 | 192 | 212 | +10.4% |
How Waterloo 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waterloo Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Laurens County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurens | 9,336 | $49,246 | 25.4% | $180,700 |
| Clinton | 7,676 | $44,522 | 27.7% | $173,400 |
| Watts Mills | 1,942 | $50,901 | 8.7% | $108,300 |
| Joanna | 1,306 | $49,141 | 20.5% | $88,100 |
| Gray Court | 783 | $57,500 | 19.3% | $185,900 |
| Cross Hill | 514 | $40,556 | 14.0% | $104,500 |
| Mountville | 136 | $70,645 | 5.9% | N/A |
| Princeton | 19 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Waterloo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale | 211 | $30,673 | $116,700 | 8.4% | 52.8% |
| Abney Crossroads | 208 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Central Pacolet | 206 | $28,500 | $112,500 | 4.8% | 27.7% |
| Lowndesville | 206 | N/A | N/A | 25.6% | 32.0% |
| Snelling | 219 | $51,500 | $64,400 | 15.0% | 12.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 212, Waterloo's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Waterloo is a small community located in South Carolina, within Laurens County. The total population is 212. It ranks as the 404th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waterloo is 49.0 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 14.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 37.3%. This is 165% 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 1.8%. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. 71.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waterloo has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 86.8% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 7.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.5%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (86.8% vs 24.6%).
Education
21.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 83.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waterloo, 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 Waterloo, South Carolina?
Waterloo, South Carolina has a population of 212 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waterloo, SC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Waterloo — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waterloo, SC?
The poverty rate in Waterloo is 37.3%. This means approximately 79 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waterloo, South Carolina?
Waterloo's population is 7.5% White, 86.8% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waterloo, SC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Waterloo — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Waterloo, South Carolina?
21.9% of adults (25+) in Waterloo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.