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Williston town, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 31.1% is well above the state average

As of 2026, Williston town, South Carolina has a total population of 2,884, the 156th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $35,968, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.1%.

Key Takeaways

Williston town Quick Facts

Population 2,884
Median Household Income $35,968
Median Home Value $104,000
Poverty Rate 31.1%
Unemployment Rate 4.4%
Median Age 45.6 years
Homeownership Rate 51.3%
Affordability Ratio 2.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 16.8%
High School Graduation Rate 84.7%
Diversity Index 50/100
Population 2,884 156th of 475
Median Income $35,968 bottom 20%
Poverty Rate 31.1% 150% higher national
Median Home Value $104,000 bottom 30%

How Williston town Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

4.4% Unemployment Rate State: 5.0% | National: 5.2%
59.1% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 51.3%
Renter 48.7%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.9x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

50out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 54 | National average: 60

Education

Williston town Rankings in South Carolina

#156 Population of 475
#342 Median Income of 475
#266 Education of 475
#311 Home Value of 475

Cities Similar to Williston town

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Arcadia CDP2,724$37,574$103,80017.6%27.8%
Burnettown town3,090$38,371$189,20020.9%26.7%
Hilltop CDP3,058$39,432$121,4009.8%17.6%
Loris city2,570$36,158$195,60016.7%25.4%
Bishopville city2,958$44,015$105,40017.2%29.0%

Population Overview

Williston town is a small community located in South Carolina. The total population is 2,884. It ranks as the 156th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Williston town is 45.6 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Williston town is $35,968. This is 46% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 54% lower. The poverty rate stands at 31.1%. This is 119% 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 4.4%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $104,000. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $236,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Williston town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Williston town is Black or African American, making up 54.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 45.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (54.1% vs 25.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 7.1%.

Education

16.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 84.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Williston town, 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 Williston town, South Carolina?

Williston town, South Carolina has a population of 2,884 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Williston town, SC?

The median household income in Williston town is $35,968, which is 54% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Williston town, SC?

The poverty rate in Williston town is 31.1%. This means approximately 877 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Williston town, South Carolina?

Williston town's population is 45.6% White, 54.1% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Williston town, SC?

The median home value in Williston town is $104,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.

How educated is Williston town, South Carolina?

16.8% of adults (25+) in Williston town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.