Berea, South Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Berea, South Carolina is 16,642 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 36th-largest city in South Carolina. The median household income is $48,104, the median home value is $187,200, and the median age is 36.6.
16,642
Population
2162
People / sq mi
$48,104
Median Income
$187,200
Median Home Value
Get Berea's next ACS population data
Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Berea covers 7.7 sq mi of land at 2162 people per square mile.
About Berea, SC
The poverty rate is what most separates Berea from the typical city: 19.3% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Berea is a city in South Carolina with a population of 16,642. It ranks #36 among cities in South Carolina by population.
Money is tight relative to the rest of US cities: the median household earns just $48,104, below the US median of $78,538. Hardship is pronounced — at 19.3%, poverty is near the top of the range for US cities, above the national 12.4%. Property is affordable here, the median home worth $187,200, with typical rent around $1,032.
College attainment is 18.2%, below the national 35.0%. Most workers commute: only 5.4% work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 26 minutes each way.
The elevated poverty rate is the context for the rest of the profile in Berea: it pulls on median income, housing tenure, and the share of residents with a college degree.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 42.8% |
| Black or African American | 22.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$48,104
Median Household Income
$25,793
Per Capita Income
19.3%
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$187,200
Median Home Value
$1,032
Median Rent
60.9%
Owner-Occupied
Education
76.3%
High School+
18.2%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.7%
Drive Alone
73.0%
Public Transit
5.4%
Work From Home
25.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
23.4%
Foreign Born
68.7%
Non-English at Home
6.2%
Veterans
16.2%
With Disability
80.0%
Health Insurance
94.2%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Manufacturing | 18.4% |
| Construction | 17.4% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 16.7% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 13.2% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 8.1% |
| Information | 4.4% |
| Public Administration | 3.3% |
| Retail Trade | 2.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 2.2% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.7% |
Largest cities in South Carolina
Largest counties in South Carolina
Part of South Carolina
Metro areas in South Carolina
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Berea, South Carolina has a population of 16,642 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 36th-largest city in South Carolina.
The median household income in Berea, South Carolina is $48,104, with 19.3% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Berea, South Carolina is $187,200, with median monthly rent at $1,032 and a homeownership rate of 60.9%.
The median age in Berea, South Carolina is 36.6 years. The population is 50.0% male and 50.0% female.
Where to stay in Berea
Visiting or relocating to Berea, SC? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
More from South Carolina
Population 152,014
Population 138,019
Population 117,460
Population 92,662
Population 74,769
Full rankings of South Carolina cities by population
Statewide data for South Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across South Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.