Beaufort County, SC

County

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    2024 Population
    195,289
    US Senator
    Lindsey Graham
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Tim Scott
    Republican Party
    2024 Median Age
    48.1
    1.91% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    9.63%
    8.13% 1-year decrease
    2024 Median Household Income
    $86,573
    2.07% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $455,600
    11.8% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    82,918
    2.07% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Beaufort County, SC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    95.2% of the residents in Beaufort County, SC are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in Beaufort County, SC are Technical College of the Lowcountry (411 degrees awarded in 2024) and University of South Carolina Beaufort (387 degrees).

    In 2024, the median property value in Beaufort County, SC was $455,600, and the homeownership rate was 75.9%.

    Most people in Beaufort County, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Beaufort County, SC was 2 cars per household.

    Beaufort County, SC borders Colleton County, SC, Hampton County, SC, and Jasper County, SC.

    United StatesSouth CarolinaHilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC

    Population & Diversity

    Beaufort County, SC is home to a population of 195k people, from which 95.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 7.73% of Beaufort County, SC residents were born outside of the country (15.1k people).

    In 2024, there were 4.34 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (131k people) in Beaufort County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 30.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 9.67k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    95.2%
    2024 Citizenship
    95.5%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 95.2% of Beaufort County, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Beaufort County, SC was 95.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Beaufort County, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Beaufort County, SC
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      131k ± 702
    2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
      30.3k ± 760
    3. Other (Hispanic)
      9.67k ± 1.44k
    12.4%
    Hispanic Population
    24.2k people

    In 2024, there were 4.34 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (131k people) in Beaufort County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 30.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 9.67k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    12.4% of the people in Beaufort County, SC are hispanic (24.2k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Beaufort County, SC as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      65,146 ± 6,228 people
    2. India
      21,511 ± 3,594 people
    3. Colombia
      15,785 ± 3,080 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 65,146 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 21,511 and Colombia with 15,785.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    7.73%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    15.1k people
    7.67%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    14.7k people

    As of 2024, 7.73% of Beaufort County, SC residents (15.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Beaufort County, SC was 7.67%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Beaufort County, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      5,852 ± 640
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      4,390 ± 648
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      2,484 ± 528

    Beaufort County, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.33 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Beaufort County, SC.

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    Health

    91.5% of the population of Beaufort County, SC has health coverage, with 34.5% on employee plans, 9.8% on Medicaid, 21.7% on Medicare, 20.9% on non-group plans, and 4.6% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Beaufort County, SC see 1,442 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,442 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 811 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 502 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.9% were men and 52.1% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    1,442 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Beaufort County, SC

    Primary care physicians in Beaufort County, SC see an average of 1,442 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,442 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Beaufort County, SC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 19.5% under 18 years, 15.4% between 18 and 34 years, 35.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 29.6% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.9% were men and 52.1% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    8.49%
    Uninsured
    34.5%
    Employer Coverage
    9.8%
    Medicaid
    21.7%
    Medicare
    20.9%
    Non-Group
    4.6%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Beaufort County, SC grew by 0.908% from 8.41% to 8.49%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Beaufort County, SC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 4.94 in Beaufort County, SC.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Beaufort County, SC.

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 27.9% in Beaufort County, SC.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Beaufort County, SC.

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 11% in Beaufort County, SC.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Beaufort County, SC.

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    Economy

    The economy of Beaufort County, SC employs 82.9k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Beaufort County, SC were Retail Trade (11,232 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (10,541 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (8,547 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($250,001), Finance & Insurance ($82,386), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($72,291).

    Employment

    Occupations

    82.9k
    2024 Value
    ± 2,835
    2.07%
    1 Year growth
    ± 4.74%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Beaufort County, SC grew at a rate of 2.07%, from 81.2k employees to 82.9k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Beaufort County, SC, are Management Occupations (11,226 people), Sales & Related Occupations (11,155 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (7,404 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Beaufort County, SC.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    82.9k
    2024 Value
    ± 2,835
    2.07%
    1 Year growth
    ± 4.74%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Beaufort County, SC grew at a rate of 2.07%, from 81.2k employees to 82.9k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Beaufort County, SC, are Retail Trade (11,232 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (10,541 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (8,547 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Beaufort County, SC, though some of these residents may live in Beaufort County, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $51,611
    Median earning men ± $2,977
    $40,646
    Median earning women ± $1,674

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($104,432), Information ($101,731), and Wholesale Trade ($81,827).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($62,967), Public Administration ($60,074), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($59,020).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.
    Y-Axis
    2.54%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 2.26M people employed in South Carolina. This represents a 2.54% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 13.4%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in South Carolina.

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 535
      Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
    2. 534
      Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
    3. 524
      Construction

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $440k
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    2. $380k
      Retail Trade
    3. $361k
      Accommodation and Food Services

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 58.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (40.4%), followed by Other (0.595%).

    Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing the state of South Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Beaufort County, SC. Showing the available data for South Carolina.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (58.2%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (40.4%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Other (0.595%)
      Other Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 58.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (40.4%), followed by Other (0.595%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from South Carolina

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.
    Lindsey Graham
    Senator from South Carolina2
    Assumed office on January 3, 2003
    Tim Scott
    Senator from South Carolina3
    Assumed office on January 2, 2013
    Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Jim DeMint.

    Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing South Carolina.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in South Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in Beaufort County, SC awarded 798 degrees. The student population of Beaufort County, SC in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 1,574 male students and 3,095 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in Beaufort County, SC are White (435 and 55.2%), Black or African American (201 and 25.5%), Hispanic or Latino (98 and 12.4%), and Two or More Races (39 and 4.95%).

    The largest universities in Beaufort County, SC by number of degrees awarded are Technical College of the Lowcountry (411 and 51.5%) and University of South Carolina Beaufort (387 and 48.5%).

    The most popular majors in Beaufort County, SC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (99 and 12.4%), Registered Nursing (90 and 11.3%), and General Psychology (66 and 8.27%).

    The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $10,344 for in-state students and $21,390 for out-of-state students.

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

    University
    Measure

    In 2024 in Beaufort County, SC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 72.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 26.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 4,669 (33.7% men and 66.3% women).

    The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    Universities

    In 2024 there were 4,669 students enrolled in Beaufort County, SC, 33.7% men and 66.3% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,383 records, of which 64.2% were women and 35.8% men.

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    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. General Psychology
      66 degrees awarded
    2. General Business Administration & Management
      51 degrees awarded
    3. Registered Nursing
      47 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Beaufort County, SC was General Psychology with 66 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Beaufort County, SC according to their major.

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    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1. Technical College of the Lowcountry
      411 degrees awarded
    2. University of South Carolina Beaufort
      387 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Technical College of the Lowcountry with 411 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    University

    In 2024, 234 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Beaufort County, SC, which is 0.415 times less than the 564 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 435 degrees mean that there were 2.16 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 201 degrees awarded.

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    Awarded Degrees over Time

    The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Universities

    Public, 4-year or above ($10,344) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Public, 2-year ($828) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

    Public, 2-year ($1,300) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

    The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Beaufort County, SC was $455,600 in 2024, which is 1.37 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $407,600 to $455,600, a 11.8% increase. The homeownership rate in Beaufort County, SC is 75.9%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Beaufort County, SC have an average commute time of 23.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Beaufort County, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 13.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Beaufort County, SC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.88%.

    Housing

    Property

    $455,600
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$10,790
    $62,527
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$2,236

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Beaufort County, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Beaufort County, SC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    75.9%
    Homeownership
    2024
    67.8%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 75.9% of the housing units in Beaufort County, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 75.7%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Beaufort County, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $86,573
    Median Household Income
    ± $3,024
    82.3k
    Number of Households
    ± 2,745

    In 2024, the median household income of the 82.3k households in Beaufort County, SC grew to $86,573 from the previous year's value of $84,819.

    The following chart displays the households in Beaufort County, SC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Beaufort County, SC is from South Carolina.
    0.462
    2024 Wage GINI in South Carolina
    0.464
    2023 Wage GINI in South Carolina

    In 2024, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.462 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.296% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Carolina in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in South Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (71.8%)
    2. Worked At Home (13.2%)
    3. Carpooled (10.2%)

    In 2024, 71.8% of workers in Beaufort County, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (13.2%) and those who carpooled to work (10.2%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    23.6 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Beaufort County, SC have a shorter commute time (23.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.17% of the workforce in Beaufort County, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Beaufort County, SC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in Beaufort County, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Beaufort County, SC have 2 cars.

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 13.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Beaufort County, SC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.88%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

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    Poverty & Diversity

    9.63% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Beaufort County, SC (18.1k out of 188k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 65 - 74, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Males 55 - 64.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Beaufort County, SC is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 14% of the children was living in poverty in Beaufort County, SC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 8.1%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 389 in Beaufort County, SC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 165% per 100,000 population.

    The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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