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CITY

Darlington

South Carolina · 6,075 residents (2025 est.) · 4.712 sq mi
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The short version

Darlington has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $33,952. Population has declined 9% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $172,300. With a median age of 45.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 51% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
6,120
−9%since 2000
from 6,720 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,299 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 1,426 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.0
+15%since 2000
from 39.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:6,075 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6K6K7K7K7K1990201020202024Darlington
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,952
−25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,869 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,068
+146%since 2000
from $15,454 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
23.9%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
30.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 29.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.715
+32%since 2010
from 0.541 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information17.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade7.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance6.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$172,300
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$840
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $354 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
52.0%
−5.7 ptssince 2000
from 57.7% in 2000
48.0% rent
Vacancy rate
17.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.2%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 27.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
63.2%
+14.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.1
+107%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
43
RELATED:See current rent listings in Darlington on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic42.4%(2,848)
Black55.7%(3,742)
Hispanic / Latino1%(68)
Asian0.4%(24)
Other0%
Diversity Score63.1%(4,239)
2024
White, non-Hispanic32.5%(1,991)
Black61.3%(3,750)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(212)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.7%(167)
Diversity Score64.6%(3,953)
Diversity Score
65
+2%since 2000
from 63 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 19.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
83.0%
+18.8 ptssince 2000
from 64.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.3%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.8 min
+48%since 2000
from 12.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.4%
+11.6 ptssince 2009
from 68.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.9%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
20.2%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.1%
−6.5 ptssince 2011
from 13.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
47.4%
−9.0 ptssince 2011
from 56.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
22.1%
+8.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
31.6%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
40.7%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
Female
59.3%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.1%
−35.6 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.0%
+1.9 ptssince 2012
from 17.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.2%
−70.3 ptssince 2013
from 80.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
70.1%
+12.0 ptssince 2017
from 58.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.7%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 97.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2016
from 0.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Darlington to nearby cities

DARLINGTON VS
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Income$56,143+65%
Home value$211,400+23%
Population41,231+579%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DARLINGTON VS
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Income$42,170+24%
Home value$134,200−22%
Population14,582+140%
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DARLINGTON VS
Sumter
Income$55,592+64%
Home value$199,100+16%
Population43,094+609%
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DARLINGTON VS
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Income$63,576+87%
Home value$265,300+54%
Population9,201+51%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Darlington, South Carolina?

Darlington, South Carolina has about 6,120 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Darlington, South Carolina earns about $33,952 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Darlington, South Carolina expensive?

In Darlington, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $172,300, and the typical rent is about $840 a month.

How educated are people in Darlington, South Carolina?

About 19.4% of adults age 25 and over in Darlington, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Darlington, South Carolina?

About 30.2% of people in Darlington, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Darlington, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Darlington, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,191 residents, a change of about -16 percent over that period.

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

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