Aiken County, South Carolina Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 11th-largest in South Carolina

The population of Aiken County, South Carolina is 171,949 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 11th-largest county in South Carolina. The median household income is $67,940, the median home value is $199,500, and the median age is 41.6.

The population of Aiken County has grown 11.6% since 2010 (160,558 → 179,245), a +0.79% annualized rate.

Aiken County within South Carolina · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

171,949

Population

+0.79%

Annual growth

161

People / sq mi

$67,940

Median Income

$199,500

Median Home Value

Aiken County covers 1,071 sq mi of land at 160.6 people per square mile.

About Aiken County, SC

Aiken County is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 57.8% of the population. With 171,949 residents, Aiken County is a county in South Carolina. It ranks #11 among counties in South Carolina by population.

The typical household here earns about $67,940, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 9.6%, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $199,500, with typical rent around $1,031.

College attainment is above the local norm at 31.1%, below the national 35.0%. About 8.9% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 25 minutes each way.

The large foreign-born share is a defining thread in Aiken County, shaping language, household composition, and the labor force behind the economic figures above.

Aiken County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Aiken County had a population of 160,558 in 2010 and 179,245 in 2024, a 11.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 179,245 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.79%.

Aiken County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

179,245

Population (2024)

160,558

Population (2010)

179,245

Peak (2024)

0.79%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	160,558	-	-	estimate
2011	161,628	+1,070	+0.67%	estimate
2012	162,982	+1,354	+0.84%	estimate
2013	163,789	+807	+0.50%	estimate
2014	164,333	+544	+0.33%	estimate
2015	165,827	+1,494	+0.91%	estimate
2016	167,328	+1,501	+0.91%	estimate
2017	168,510	+1,182	+0.71%	estimate
2018	169,703	+1,193	+0.71%	estimate
2019	171,300	+1,597	+0.94%	estimate
2020	169,174	-2,126	-1.24%	estimate
2021	171,272	+2,098	+1.24%	estimate
2022	174,075	+2,803	+1.64%	estimate
2023	177,034	+2,959	+1.70%	estimate
2024	179,245	+2,211	+1.25%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	66.1%
Black or African American	24.5%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.4%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

41.6

Median Age

51.6%

Female

48.4%

Male

20.5%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.7%

5–9

5.7%

10–14

6.3%

15–19

6.0%

20–24

5.5%

25–34

12.6%

35–44

11.9%

45–54

11.9%

55–59

6.7%

60–64

7.3%

65–74

12.2%

75–84

5.9%

85+

2.4%

Children (under 15): 17.7% · Seniors (65+): 20.5%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$67,940+$1,122 vs state
Mean household income	$88,922
Per-capita income	$36,627
Poverty rate	9.6%-0.5% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.3%
Employment-to-population	54.7%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

20.8%

Manufacturing

14.9%

Finance & real estate

13.6%

Education & health care

8.5%

Construction

6.7%

Retail trade

6.1%

Public administration

5.6%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.8%

The largest employment sector in Aiken County is professional & business services, accounting for 20.8% of workers.

How residents commute

0.3%

Drive alone

0.7%

Carpool

82.7%

Public transit

8.9%

Work from home

24.7 min

Avg commute

Housing

$199,500$-37,200 vs state

Median home value

$1,031

Median rent

76.7%

Homeownership rate

78,715

Total housing units

87.2%

Occupied

12.8%

Vacant

23.3%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

91.2%

With health insurance

93.7%

With broadband internet

57.8%

Foreign-born

9.9%

Veterans (18+)

15.8%

With a disability

94.1%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

89.8%

High School+

31.1%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in South Carolina

Charleston (152,014)Columbia (138,019)North Charleston (117,460)Mount Pleasant (92,662)Rock Hill (74,769)Greenville (71,755)Summerville (51,262)Goose Creek (46,964)Sumter (43,065)Florence (40,205)All South Carolina cities →

Other counties in South Carolina

Greenville County (537,575)Richland County (418,725)Charleston County (414,711)Horry County (368,937)Spartanburg County (338,096)Lexington County (300,370)York County (288,559)Berkeley County (238,723)Anderson County (207,218)Beaufort County (192,123)All South Carolina counties →

Part of South Carolina

South Carolina demographic profile All South Carolina data →

Metro areas in South Carolina

Charlotte (2,712,818)Greenville (945,301)Columbia (839,868)Charleston (817,756)Augusta (618,022)Myrtle Beach (368,937)Spartanburg (365,086)Hilton Head Island (222,781)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Aiken County, South Carolina has a population of 171,949 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 11th-largest county in South Carolina. Population density is 161 people per square mile.

The population of Aiken County has grown 11.6% since 2010 (160,558 → 179,245), a +0.79% annualized rate.

The median household income in Aiken County, South Carolina is $67,940, with mean (average) household income of $88,922 and per-capita income of $36,627. 9.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Aiken County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (66.1%), Black or African American (24.5%), Hispanic or Latino (1.4%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Aiken County, South Carolina is 41.6 years. Residents are 51.6% female and 48.4% male.

The median home value in Aiken County is $199,500 and median monthly rent is $1,031. 76.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 78,715 total housing units, 12.8% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Aiken County, South Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 20.8% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.3%.

Charleston is among the largest cities associated with Aiken County, South Carolina, with a population of 152,014.