Dorchester County, South Carolina Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 12th-largest in South Carolina

The population of Dorchester County, South Carolina is 164,322 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 12th-largest county in South Carolina. The median household income is $76,896, the median home value is $294,400, and the median age is 37.9.

The population of Dorchester County has grown 27.5% since 2010 (137,005 → 174,663), a +1.75% annualized rate.

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

164,322

Population

+1.75%

Annual growth

289

People / sq mi

$76,896

Median Income

$294,400

Median Home Value

Dorchester County covers 568 sq mi of land at 289.1 people per square mile.

About Dorchester County, SC

Dorchester County is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 44.3% of the population. With 164,322 residents, Dorchester County is a county in South Carolina. It ranks #12 among counties in South Carolina by population.

Households take in a median $76,896, comfortably near the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 8.4%, below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $294,400, with typical rent around $1,381.

College attainment is above the local norm at 30.0%, below the national 35.0%. Around 9.6% of workers work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 31 minutes each way.

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

Dorchester County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Dorchester County had a population of 137,005 in 2010 and 174,663 in 2024, a 27.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 174,663 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.75%.

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

174,663

Population (2024)

137,005

Population (2010)

174,663

Peak (2024)

1.75%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	137,005	-	-	estimate
2011	140,155	+3,150	+2.30%	estimate
2012	142,645	+2,490	+1.78%	estimate
2013	145,614	+2,969	+2.08%	estimate
2014	148,854	+3,240	+2.23%	estimate
2015	152,946	+4,092	+2.75%	estimate
2016	156,418	+3,472	+2.27%	estimate
2017	159,533	+3,115	+1.99%	estimate
2018	161,340	+1,807	+1.13%	estimate
2019	163,517	+2,177	+1.35%	estimate
2020	162,059	-1,458	-0.89%	estimate
2021	163,484	+1,425	+0.88%	estimate
2022	166,029	+2,545	+1.56%	estimate
2023	169,770	+3,741	+2.25%	estimate
2024	174,663	+4,893	+2.88%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	63.1%
Black or African American	25.1%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.3%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

37.9

Median Age

51.1%

Female

48.9%

Male

14.8%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.8%

5–9

6.3%

10–14

7.7%

15–19

6.5%

20–24

5.7%

25–34

13.6%

35–44

14.1%

45–54

12.7%

55–59

6.0%

60–64

6.7%

65–74

9.3%

75–84

4.2%

85+

1.3%

Children (under 15): 19.8% · Seniors (65+): 14.8%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$76,896+$10,078 vs state
Mean household income	$96,656
Per-capita income	$37,279
Poverty rate	8.4%-1.7% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.9%
Employment-to-population	60.4%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

21.1%

Manufacturing

12.1%

Finance & real estate

11.4%

Education & health care

8.4%

Construction

8.3%

Retail trade

7.5%

Public administration

7.1%

Information

4.2%

The largest employment sector in Dorchester County is professional & business services, accounting for 21.1% of workers.

How residents commute

0.1%

Drive alone

0.6%

Carpool

80.2%

Public transit

9.6%

Work from home

31.0 min

Avg commute

Housing

$294,400+$57,700 vs state

Median home value

$1,381

Median rent

75.4%

Homeownership rate

66,435

Total housing units

92.7%

Occupied

7.3%

Vacant

24.6%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

88.7%

With health insurance

95.8%

With broadband internet

44.3%

Foreign-born

12.1%

Veterans (18+)

13.7%

With a disability

91.9%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

91.3%

High School+

30.0%

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

Dorchester County, South Carolina has a population of 164,322 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 12th-largest county in South Carolina. Population density is 289 people per square mile.

The population of Dorchester County has grown 27.5% since 2010 (137,005 → 174,663), a +1.75% annualized rate.

The median household income in Dorchester County, South Carolina is $76,896, with mean (average) household income of $96,656 and per-capita income of $37,279. 8.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Dorchester County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (63.1%), Black or African American (25.1%), Hispanic or Latino (1.3%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Dorchester County, South Carolina is 37.9 years. Residents are 51.1% female and 48.9% male.

The median home value in Dorchester County is $294,400 and median monthly rent is $1,381. 75.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 66,435 total housing units, 7.3% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Dorchester County, South Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 21.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.9%.

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