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CITY

Bethune

South Carolina · 339 residents (2025 est.) · 1.102 sq mi
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The short version

Bethune has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $44,000. Population has grown 24% since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $106,800. The poverty rate of 34.0% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 37% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 17%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
438
+24%since 2000
from 352 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
397 / sq mi
+24%since 2000
from 319 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.7
−11%since 2000
from 47.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:339 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2332933544144741990201020202024Bethune
2024438
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,000
−25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,083 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,912
+48%since 2000
from $18,879 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.5%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
34.0%
+26.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.511
+37%since 2010
from 0.372 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade14.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance9.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing8.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Education & health services8.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction7.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.4%
Professional, scientific, technical0.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services0.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$106,800
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,591
+108%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $420 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
66.7%
−22.4 ptssince 2000
from 89.1% in 2000
33.3% rent
Vacancy rate
20.3%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.0%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
61.8%
+21.8 ptssince 2009
from 40.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.4
+10%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
29
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bethune on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic87.5%(308)
Black9.7%(34)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(10)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score28%(99)
2024
White, non-Hispanic83.1%(364)
Black4.1%(18)
Hispanic / Latino5%(22)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other7.5%(33)
Diversity Score37.4%(164)
Diversity Score
37
+34%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.8%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 20.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.9%
+10.2 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.7 min
+23%since 2000
from 23.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.2%
−18.9 ptssince 2009
from 97.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
19.0%
+16.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.1%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.3%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2011
from 3.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
42.1%
−6.7 ptssince 2011
from 48.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.3%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 25.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.9%
−29.2 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
Female
50.0%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.6% in 2009
Foreign born
2.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
13.8%
−33.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.6%
−8.1 ptssince 2012
from 25.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
23.1%
−67.5 ptssince 2013
from 90.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
58.3%
−3.6 ptssince 2017
from 61.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.0%
−9.8 ptssince 2016
from 98.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
10.8%
+10.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Bethune, South Carolina?

Bethune, South Carolina has about 438 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bethune, South Carolina?

The typical household in Bethune, South Carolina earns about $44,000 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bethune, South Carolina expensive?

In Bethune, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $106,800, and the typical rent is about $1,591 a month.

How educated are people in Bethune, South Carolina?

About 21.8% of adults age 25 and over in Bethune, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bethune, South Carolina?

About 34.0% of people in Bethune, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bethune, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Bethune, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 50 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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