CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Dorchester County

South Carolina · 161,540 residents · 568.409 sq mi
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The short version

Dorchester County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $63,501. The county has grown rapidly, with population up 68% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $213,000.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.0
US median: 38.8
Average education
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 54%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
161,540
+68%since 2000
from 96,413 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
284 / sq mi
+68%since 2000
from 170 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.0
+10%since 2000
from 34.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
75K100K125K150K176K1990201020202024Dorchester County
2024167K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,501
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $43,316 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,856
+58%since 2000
from $18,840 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
41.8%
+9.6 ptssince 2009
from 32.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.0%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 9.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12.6%
US avg: 10%
Information12.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 2%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$213,000
+54%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $92,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,134
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $568 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
73.2%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 75.0% in 2000
26.8% rent
Afford Score
3.4
+58%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Dorchester County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic70.1%(67,578)
Black25%(24,067)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(1,722)
Asian1.1%(1,077)
Other0%
Diversity Score52.8%(50,931)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic61.4%(99,145)
Black23.7%(38,278)
Hispanic / Latino6.7%(10,861)
Asian2%(3,286)
Other4%(6,448)
Diversity Score67.6%(109,208)
Segregation Score25.9%(41,828)
Diversity Score
68
+28%since 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
26
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.2%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 21.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.0%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 82.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.7%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.6 min
+57%since 2000
from 19.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.8%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 83.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.4%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 8.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.7%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 67.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
38.1%
−23.8 ptssince 2009
from 61.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
5.6%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.4%
−74.9 ptssince 2013
from 85.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Dorchester County

Scott County
Pop 175,259
Houston County
Pop 178,214
Kenton County
Pop 175,779
McLean County
Pop 171,419
Places similar to Dorchester County
Head to head

Compare Dorchester County to nearby counties

DORCHESTER COUNTY VS
Colleton County
Income$51,114−20%
Home value$162,500−24%
Population39,382−78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DORCHESTER COUNTY VS
Berkeley County
Income$84,358+33%
Home value$310,300+46%
Population274,666+54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DORCHESTER COUNTY VS
Charleston County
Income$88,494+39%
Home value$489,100+130%
Population436,200+145%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DORCHESTER COUNTY VS
Orangeburg County
Income$45,675−28%
Home value$115,800−46%
Population83,177−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Dorchester County, South Carolina?

Dorchester County, South Carolina has about 161,540 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Dorchester County, South Carolina earns about $63,501 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Dorchester County, South Carolina expensive?

In Dorchester County, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $213,000, and the typical rent is about $1,134 a month.

How educated are people in Dorchester County, South Carolina?

About 28.2% of adults age 25 and over in Dorchester County, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 12.0% of people in Dorchester County, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Dorchester County, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Dorchester County, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 78,480 residents, a change of about 94 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

31 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 108.13Census Tract 108.01Census Tract 108.23Census Tract 108.18Census Tract 106.03Census Tract 105.01Census Tract 108.20Census Tract 108.17Census Tract 105.03Census Tract 104Census Tract 105.05Census Tract 108.08Census Tract 108.14Census Tract 107Census Tract 106.04Census Tract 106.07Census Tract 108.07Census Tract 102Census Tract 108.19Census Tract 105.08
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 29483ZIP 29485ZIP 29420ZIP 29472ZIP 29477ZIP 29437ZIP 29448ZIP 29471
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →