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CITY

Clemson

South Carolina · 18,941 residents (2025 est.) · 7.911 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#141Youngest by median ageof 6,82624.8
The short version

Clemson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $49,520. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 51% since 2000. 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $398,400. At a median age of 24.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 29% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 24.8
US median: 38.9
More educated
59% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 68%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,072
+51%since 2000
from 11,939 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,284 / sq mi
+51%since 2000
from 1,509 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
24.8
+1%since 2000
from 24.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:18,941 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
10K12K15K17K19K1990201020202024Clemson
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,520
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,892 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,246
+93%since 2000
from $19,272 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.2%
+11.9 ptssince 2009
from 24.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
36.0%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 33.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.567
+5%since 2010
from 0.539 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade7.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Information7.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance1.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration1.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Wholesale trade0.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$398,400
+68%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $129,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,007
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $535 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
34.3%
−11.7 ptssince 2000
from 45.9% in 2000
65.7% rent
Vacancy rate
10.0%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
58.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.0
+67%since 2000
from 4.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
45
RELATED:See current rent listings in Clemson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.9%(9,540)
Black11.3%(1,349)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(217)
Asian5.7%(683)
Other0%
Diversity Score41%(4,900)
2024
White, non-Hispanic76.9%(13,892)
Black8.1%(1,456)
Hispanic / Latino3%(534)
Asian5.3%(965)
Other6.8%(1,225)
Diversity Score49.3%(8,907)
Diversity Score
49
+20%since 2000
from 41 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
59.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 58.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.2%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 91.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
34.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 32.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.9 min
+59%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.7%
−11.6 ptssince 2009
from 81.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.7%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
3.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.8%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.1%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.0%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.5%
−4.6 ptssince 2011
from 9.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 57.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
22.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 22.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
50.8%
−29.2 ptssince 2009
from 80.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
Female
44.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
Foreign born
6.9%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.1%
−51.4 ptssince 2009
from 56.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.3%
+2.7 ptssince 2012
from 7.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.4%
−85.9 ptssince 2013
from 94.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2017
from 87.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 90.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 1.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Clemson to nearby cities

CLEMSON VS
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Income$52,022+5%
Home value$240,000−40%
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CLEMSON VS
Anderson
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Home value$218,200−45%
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CLEMSON VS
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CLEMSON VS
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Home value$334,900−16%
Population10,771−43%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Clemson, South Carolina?

Clemson, South Carolina has about 18,072 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Clemson, South Carolina earns about $49,520 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Clemson, South Carolina expensive?

In Clemson, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $398,400, and the typical rent is about $1,007 a month.

How educated are people in Clemson, South Carolina?

About 59.4% of adults age 25 and over in Clemson, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Clemson, South Carolina?

About 36.0% of people in Clemson, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Clemson, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Clemson, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,966 residents, a change of about 63 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →