Poverty Rate in South Carolina
ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
Poverty Rate
14.1% +11.7% vs nat'l
Rank #42 of 52
How South Carolina Compares
South Carolina
14.1%
National
12.6%
11.7% above
State Ranking
| Rank | State | Value |
|---|---|---|
| #39 | Tennessee | 13.8% |
| #40 | Texas | 13.8% |
| #41 | New York | 14.0% |
| #42 | South Carolina | 14.1% |
| #43 | Oklahoma | 15.3% |
| #44 | District of Columbia | 15.4% |
| #45 | Alabama | 15.6% |
Highest Poverty Counties in South Carolina
| # | County | Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | York County | 8.4% |
| 2 | Beaufort County | 9.6% |
| 3 | Berkeley County | 9.9% |
| 4 | Greenville County | 10.8% |
| 5 | Lexington County | 11.1% |
| 6 | Charleston County | 11.3% |
| 7 | Dorchester County | 11.4% |
| 8 | Lancaster County | 11.4% |
| 9 | Calhoun County | 12.9% |
| 10 | Kershaw County | 13.2% |
Lowest Poverty Counties in South Carolina
| # | County | Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | Marion County | 30.0% |
| 45 | Marlboro County | 28.5% |
| 44 | Allendale County | 28.2% |
| 43 | Dillon County | 27.7% |
| 42 | Barnwell County | 25.0% |
| 41 | Lee County | 25.0% |
| 40 | Bamberg County | 24.3% |
| 39 | Williamsburg County | 23.3% |
| 38 | Union County | 22.6% |
| 37 | Orangeburg County | 22.4% |
Poverty Rate in South Carolina
South Carolina has a poverty rate of 14.1%, ranking #42 of 52 among all 52 states and territories. This is 11.7% above the national value of 12.6%.
Across South Carolina's 46 counties, poverty rate ranges from 30.0% to 8.4%. The county with the highest value is York County at 8.4%.
Percentage of the population living below the federal poverty line.
About this data
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). All values are estimates derived from survey samples and are subject to margin of error. For more information, see our methodology.