Beaufort County, SC

County

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2021 Population

186,007

1.96% 1-year decline

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

46.7

1.08% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

10.1%

8.76% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$74,199

3.88% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$328,500

6.1% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

77,157

2.59% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Beaufort County, SC had a population of 186k people with a median age of 46.7 and a median household income of $74,199. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Beaufort County, SC declined from 189,732 to 186,007, a −1.96% decrease and its median household income grew from $71,430 to $74,199, a 3.88% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Beaufort County, SC are White (Non-Hispanic) (67.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (16.7%), Other (Hispanic) (4.45%), White (Hispanic) (4.17%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.45%).

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.

95.7% of the residents in Beaufort County, SC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Beaufort County, SC are University of South Carolina Beaufort (408 degrees awarded in 2021) and Technical College of the Lowcountry (328 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Beaufort County, SC was $328,500, and the homeownership rate was 75%.

Most people in Beaufort County, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.8 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 States South Carolina Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC

Population & Diversity

Beaufort County, SC is home to a population of 186k people, from which 95.7% are citizens. As of 2021, 7.26% of Beaufort County, SC residents were born outside of the country (13.5k people).

In 2021, there were 4.06 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (126k people) in Beaufort County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 31.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 8.28k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.7%

2021 Citizenship

95.5%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 95.7% of Beaufort County, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Beaufort County, SC was 95.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Beaufort County, SC

White (Non-Hispanic)
126k ± 661
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
31.1k ± 767
Other (Hispanic)
8.28k ± 1.05k

11.2%

Hispanic Population

20.8k people

11.2% of the people in Beaufort County, SC are hispanic (20.8k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Beaufort County, SC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
59,828 ± 5,970 people
India
16,728 ± 3,170 people
Honduras
13,020 ± 2,798 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 59,828 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 16,728 and Honduras with 13,020.

Foreign-Born Population

7.26%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

13.5k people

8.02%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

15.2k people

As of 2021, 7.26% of Beaufort County, SC residents (13.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Beaufort County, SC was 8.02%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
6,045 ± 582
Gulf War (2001-)
3,149 ± 498
Gulf War (1990s)
2,567 ± 506

Beaufort County, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.92 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Beaufort County, SC employs 77.2k people. The largest industries in Beaufort County, SC are Retail Trade (11,281 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (10,211 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (8,927 people), and the highest paying industries are Finance & Insurance ($72,170), Information ($62,839), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($60,231).

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.38 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,907. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.463, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

77.2k

2021 Value

± 2,674

−2.59%

1 Year decline

± 4.93%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Beaufort County, SC declined at a rate of −2.59%, from 79.2k employees to 77.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Beaufort County, SC, are Sales & Related Occupations (9,670 people), Management Occupations (9,277 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,837 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Beaufort County, SC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

77.2k

2021 Value

± 2,674

−2.59%

1 Year decline

± 4.93%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Beaufort County, SC declined at a rate of −2.59%, from 79.2k employees to 77.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Beaufort County, SC, are Retail Trade (11,281 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (10,211 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (8,927 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$42,953

Median earning men ± $2,520

$33,787

Median earning women ± $2,218

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($88,067), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($70,712), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($59,535).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($53,114), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($52,917), and Public Administration ($48,821).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in South Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

1,960
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,519
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
1,326
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

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

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$971k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$504k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$455k
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation and Accommodation & Food Services

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

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $39.9B, followed by Plastics/rubber ($29.5B) and Machinery ($26.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound South Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Carolina.

$273B

2020 Value in South Carolina

$613B

Projected 2050 Value in South Carolina

124% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Carolina trade was $273B. This is expected to increase 124% to $613B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound South Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

North Carolina
$28.9B
Georgia
$21.4B
Texas
$10.9B

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $28.9B, followed by Georgia with $21.4B and Texas and $10.9B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that South Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Beaufort County, SC went to Donald J. Trump with 54.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.962%).

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (54.4%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.4%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.962%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Beaufort County, SC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

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 Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2003

Tim Scott

Senator from South Carolina

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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from South Carolina

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for South Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Beaufort County, SC awarded 736 degrees. The student population of Beaufort County, SC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 1,223 male students and 2,860 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Beaufort County, SC are White (394 and 53.7%), followed by Black or African American (207 and 28.2%), Hispanic or Latino (81 and 11%), and Two or More Races (34 and 4.63%).

The largest universities in Beaufort County, SC by number of degrees awarded are University of South Carolina Beaufort (408 and 55.4%) and Technical College of the Lowcountry (328 and 44.6%).

The most popular majors in Beaufort County, SC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (104 and 14.1%), Registered Nursing (73 and 9.92%), and General Business Administration & Management (67 and 9.1%).

The median tuition cost in Beaufort County, SC 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 2021 in Beaufort County, SC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 83.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 23.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 4,083 (30% men and 70% 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.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 4,083 students enrolled in Beaufort County, SC, 30% men and 70% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,227 records, of which 68% were women and 32% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Hospitality Management
43 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
67 degree-majors awarded
General Biological Sciences
52 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Beaufort County, SC was General Hospitality Management with 43 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of South Carolina Beaufort
408 degrees awarded
Technical College of the Lowcountry
328 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of South Carolina Beaufort with 408 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 221 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Beaufort County, SC, which is 0.429 times less than the 515 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 394 degrees mean that there were 1.9 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 207 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($10,344) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($386) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,266) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.829% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.722% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.18M), Some college (890k), and Bachelors Degree (688k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Beaufort County, SC was $328,500 in 2021, which is 1.34 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $309,600 to $328,500, a 6.1% increase. The homeownership rate in Beaufort County, SC is 75%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Beaufort County, SC have an average commute time of 22.8 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.

Median household income in Beaufort County, SC is $74,199. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Beaufort County, SC was Census Tract 21.01 with a value of $136,413, followed by Census Tract 107 and Census Tract 104, with respective values of $120,662 and $119,265.

In 2022, 16.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Beaufort County, SC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.89%.

Housing

Property

$328,500

Median Property Value 2021

±$8,959

$55,020

Median Property Taxes

±$1,969

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 $800 - $1,499 range.

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

Rent vs Own

75%

Homeownership

2021

67.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 75% of the housing units in Beaufort County, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 74.8%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 21.01
Census Tract 107
Census Tract 104

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Beaufort County, SC was Census Tract 21.01 with a value of $136,413, followed by Census Tract 107 and Census Tract 104, with respective values of $120,662 and $119,265.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Beaufort County, SC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$74,199

Median Household Income

± $2,990

73.3k

Number of Households

± 2,518

In 2021, the median household income of the 73.3k households in Beaufort County, SC grew to $74,199 from the previous year's value of $71,430.

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 $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Beaufort County, SC is from South Carolina.

0.463

2021 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.462

2020 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.463 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.122% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (76.1%)
Worked At Home (9.76%)
Carpooled (9.63%)

In 2021, 76.1% of workers in Beaufort County, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.76%) and those who carpooled to work (9.63%).

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.

Commute Time

22.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Beaufort County, SC have a shorter commute time (22.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.69% 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.

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.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 16.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Beaufort County, SC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.89%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

10.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Beaufort County, SC (18.3k out of 181k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Females 25 - 34 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.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 14.8% of the children was living in poverty in Beaufort County, SC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 7.3%.

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

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

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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Health

90.4% of the population of Beaufort County, SC has health coverage, with 35.9% on employee plans, 9.83% on Medicaid, 20.2% on Medicare, 20.1% on non-group plans, and 4.38% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Beaufort County, SC see 1445 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.76% decrease from the previous year (1486 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 889 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 617 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.8% were men and 52.2% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,445 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Beaufort County, SC

Primary care physicians in Beaufort County, SC see an average of 1,445 patients per year. This represents a 2.76% decrease from the previous year (1,486 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.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.4% under 18 years, 16.1% between 18 and 34 years, 35.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 28.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.8% were men and 52.2% were women.

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

Uninsured People

9.58%

Uninsured

35.9%

Employer Coverage

9.83%

Medicaid

20.2%

Medicare

20.1%

Non-Group

4.38%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Beaufort County, SC grew by 2.07% from 9.39% to 9.58%.

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.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 44.8 in Beaufort County, SC.

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

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, 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 27.8% in Beaufort County, SC.

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

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