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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Barnwell County

South Carolina · 20,589 residents · 548.379 sq mi
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The short version

Barnwell County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $37,572. Population has declined 12% since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $87,600. The poverty rate of 27.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 32% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,589
−12%since 2000
from 23,478 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
38 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 43 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.5
+20%since 2000
from 35.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K21K22K23K24K1990201020202024Barnwell County
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,572
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,591 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,339
+41%since 2000
from $15,870 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
26.0%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
27.8%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 20.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.2%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance8.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Information7.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade4%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction3.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services3.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$87,600
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $51,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$646
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $384 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.8%
−5.7 ptssince 2000
from 75.5% in 2000
30.2% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+29%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Barnwell County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic54.8%(12,857)
Black42.4%(9,957)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(327)
Asian0.4%(89)
Other0%
Diversity Score63.7%(14,960)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic50.3%(10,352)
Black42.7%(8,785)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(520)
Asian0.8%(161)
Other2.2%(445)
Diversity Score68.7%(14,151)
Segregation Score29.8%(6,142)
Diversity Score
69
+8%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
30
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
82.3%
+14.8 ptssince 2000
from 67.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.9 min
+57%since 2000
from 19.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.0%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 78.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
11.1%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.6%
−8.4 ptssince 2011
from 15.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.2%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 55.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
27.0%
−30.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
51.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
2.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.4%
−73.2 ptssince 2013
from 84.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Barnwell County

Appling County
Pop 19,100
Washington County
Pop 19,453
Hempstead County
Pop 19,080
Poinsett County
Pop 22,483
Places similar to Barnwell County
Head to head

Compare Barnwell County to nearby counties

BARNWELL COUNTY VS
Allendale County
Income$32,328−14%
Home value$76,200−13%
Population7,355−64%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BARNWELL COUNTY VS
Bamberg County
Income$44,370+18%
Home value$97,800+12%
Population12,796−38%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BARNWELL COUNTY VS
Aiken County
Income$70,609+88%
Home value$218,000+149%
Population181,515+779%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BARNWELL COUNTY VS
Burke County
Income$53,014+41%
Home value$151,600+73%
Population24,408+18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Barnwell County, South Carolina?

Barnwell County, South Carolina has about 20,589 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Barnwell County, South Carolina?

The typical household in Barnwell County, South Carolina earns about $37,572 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Barnwell County, South Carolina expensive?

In Barnwell County, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $87,600, and the typical rent is about $646 a month.

How educated are people in Barnwell County, South Carolina?

About 14.7% of adults age 25 and over in Barnwell County, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Barnwell County, South Carolina?

About 27.8% of people in Barnwell County, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Barnwell County, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Barnwell County, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 296 residents, a change of about 1 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

8 census tracts
Census Tract 9703Census Tract 9704.02Census Tract 9705Census Tract 9702Census Tract 9701.02Census Tract 9701.01Census Tract 9704.01Census Tract 9801
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 29812ZIP 29853ZIP 29817ZIP 29826
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →