Beaufort County, South Carolina Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 10th-largest in South Carolina

The population of Beaufort County, South Carolina is 192,123 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 10th-largest county in South Carolina. The median household income is $84,819, the median home value is $407,600, and the median age is 47.2.

The population of Beaufort County has grown 23.9% since 2010 (162,843 → 201,775), a +1.54% annualized rate.

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

192,123

Population

+1.54%

Annual growth

334

People / sq mi

$84,819

Median Income

$407,600

Median Home Value

Beaufort County covers 576 sq mi of land at 333.5 people per square mile.

About Beaufort County, SC

Beaufort County is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 63.0% of the population. Beaufort County is a county in South Carolina with a population of 192,123. It is the #10-largest of all counties in South Carolina nationally.

Median household income is $84,819, above the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 8.1%, below the national 12.4%. Home prices are steep, with the typical property valued at $407,600, with typical rent around $1,484.

The population is unusually well-credentialed for US counties — 44.8% of adults have a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. About 11.3% of workers primarily work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 23 minutes each way.

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

Beaufort County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Beaufort County had a population of 162,843 in 2010 and 201,775 in 2024, a 23.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 201,775 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.55%.

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

201,775

Population (2024)

162,843

Population (2010)

201,775

Peak (2024)

1.55%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	162,843	-	-	estimate
2011	163,864	+1,021	+0.63%	estimate
2012	167,423	+3,559	+2.17%	estimate
2013	171,095	+3,672	+2.19%	estimate
2014	175,318	+4,223	+2.47%	estimate
2015	180,070	+4,752	+2.71%	estimate
2016	183,808	+3,738	+2.08%	estimate
2017	186,993	+3,185	+1.73%	estimate
2018	189,563	+2,570	+1.37%	estimate
2019	192,638	+3,075	+1.62%	estimate
2020	187,829	-4,809	-2.50%	estimate
2021	191,946	+4,117	+2.19%	estimate
2022	195,932	+3,986	+2.08%	estimate
2023	198,961	+3,029	+1.55%	estimate
2024	201,775	+2,814	+1.41%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	70.1%
Black or African American	15.8%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.1%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

47.2

Median Age

50.4%

Female

49.6%

Male

27.9%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

4.8%

5–9

4.3%

10–14

5.6%

15–19

6.3%

20–24

6.9%

25–34

10.2%

35–44

9.9%

45–54

10.1%

55–59

6.4%

60–64

7.6%

65–74

16.1%

75–84

9.3%

85+

2.5%

Children (under 15): 14.7% · Seniors (65+): 27.9%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$84,819+$18,001 vs state
Mean household income	$123,126
Per-capita income	$51,657
Poverty rate	8.1%-2.0% vs state
Unemployment rate	1.5%
Employment-to-population	50.0%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

20.9%

Education & health care

13.1%

Finance & real estate

13.1%

Construction

8.4%

Information

7.0%

Manufacturing

6.1%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.7%

Retail trade

4.0%

The largest employment sector in Beaufort County is professional & business services, accounting for 20.9% of workers.

How residents commute

0.7%

Drive alone

2.1%

Carpool

75.0%

Public transit

11.3%

Work from home

22.9 min

Avg commute

Housing

$407,600+$170,900 vs state

Median home value

$1,484

Median rent

75.7%

Homeownership rate

101,177

Total housing units

77.9%

Occupied

22.1%

Vacant

24.3%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

91.6%

With health insurance

96.9%

With broadband internet

63.0%

Foreign-born

11.2%

Veterans (18+)

13.7%

With a disability

88.2%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

94.2%

High School+

44.8%

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)Aiken County (171,949)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

Beaufort County, South Carolina has a population of 192,123 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 10th-largest county in South Carolina. Population density is 334 people per square mile.

The population of Beaufort County has grown 23.9% since 2010 (162,843 → 201,775), a +1.54% annualized rate.

The median household income in Beaufort County, South Carolina is $84,819, with mean (average) household income of $123,126 and per-capita income of $51,657. 8.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Beaufort County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (70.1%), Black or African American (15.8%), Hispanic or Latino (1.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Beaufort County, South Carolina is 47.2 years. Residents are 50.4% female and 49.6% male.

The median home value in Beaufort County is $407,600 and median monthly rent is $1,484. 75.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 101,177 total housing units, 22.1% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Beaufort County, South Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 20.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.5%.

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