Sumter, SC

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

137,150

2.41% 1-year decline

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

38.6

0.26% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

18.5%

2.47% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$48,423

5.6% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$126,100

8.71% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

53,941

1.6% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Sumter, SC had a population of 137k people with a median age of 38.6 and a median household income of $48,423. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Sumter, SC declined from 140,540 to 137,150, a −2.41% decrease and its median household income grew from $45,854 to $48,423, a 5.6% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Sumter, SC are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (46%), White (Non-Hispanic) (45.3%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.08%), Other (Hispanic) (1.6%), and White (Hispanic) (1.25%).

None of the households in Sumter, 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.

98.6% of the residents in Sumter, SC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Sumter, SC are Central Carolina Technical College (594 degrees awarded in 2021), University of South Carolina-Sumter (159 degrees), and Morris College (90 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Sumter, SC was $126,100, and the homeownership rate was 67.3%.

Most people in Sumter, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Sumter, SC was 2 cars per household.

Sumter, SC borders Columbia, SC and Florence, SC.

United States South Carolina

Population & Diversity

Sumter, SC is home to a population of 137k people, from which 98.6% are citizens. As of 2021, 2.76% of Sumter, SC residents were born outside of the country (3.78k people).

In 2021, there were 1.02 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (63.2k people) in Sumter, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 62.1k White (Non-Hispanic) and 4.23k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.6%

2021 Citizenship

98.7%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 98.6% of Sumter, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Sumter, SC was 98.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Sumter, SC

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
63.2k ± 753
White (Non-Hispanic)
62.1k ± 319
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
4.23k ± 785

3.99%

Hispanic Population

5.47k people

3.99% of the people in Sumter, SC are hispanic (5.47k people).

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

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA 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

2.76%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

3.78k people

2.82%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

3.97k people

As of 2021, 2.76% of Sumter, SC residents (3.78k 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 Sumter, SC was 2.82%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
3,976 ± 458
Vietnam
3,169 ± 354
Gulf War (1990s)
1,965 ± 340

Sumter, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.25 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Sumter, SC employs 53.9k people. The largest industries in Sumter, SC are Manufacturing (8,448 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (7,843 people), and Retail Trade (5,729 people), and the highest paying industries are Transportation & Warehousing ($48,395), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($44,565), and Information ($43,828).

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

53.9k

2021 Value

± 1,931

−1.6%

1 Year decline

± 5.09%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Sumter, SC declined at a rate of −1.6%, from 54.8k employees to 53.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Sumter, SC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (7,463 people), Production Occupations (5,664 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (4,942 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Sumter, 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

53.9k

2021 Value

± 1,931

−1.6%

1 Year decline

± 5.09%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Sumter, SC declined at a rate of −1.6%, from 54.8k employees to 53.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Sumter, SC, are Manufacturing (8,448 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (7,843 people), and Retail Trade (5,729 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Sumter, SC, though some of these residents may live in Sumter, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$38,878

Median earning men ± $1,483

$28,226

Median earning women ± $1,163

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($51,875), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($47,426), and Public Administration ($47,170).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($44,907), Information ($43,217), and Public Administration ($37,695).

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

705
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
452
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
452
Retail Trade

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

$945k
Manufacturing
$557k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$194k
Construction

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 South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 55.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.11%).

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

Voting results are not available for Sumter, SC. Showing the available data for South Carolina.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (55.1%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.11%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 55.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.11%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Carolina 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 Sumter, SC awarded 843 degrees. The student population of Sumter, SC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 1,603 male students and 2,866 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Sumter, SC are White (441 and 52.6%), followed by Black or African American (340 and 40.5%), Two or More Races (23 and 2.74%), and Hispanic or Latino (15 and 1.79%).

The largest universities in Sumter, SC by number of degrees awarded are Central Carolina Technical College (594 and 70.5%), University of South Carolina-Sumter (159 and 18.9%), and Morris College (90 and 10.7%).

The most popular majors in Sumter, SC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (268 and 31.8%), Registered Nursing (75 and 8.9%), and Welding Technology (40 and 4.74%).

The median tuition cost in Sumter, SC for private four year colleges is $13,890.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Sumter, SC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 83.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 61.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 4,469 (35.9% men and 64.1% 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 4,469 students enrolled in Sumter, SC, 35.9% men and 64.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,197 records, of which 61% were women and 39% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
264 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
75 degree-majors awarded
Other Multidisciplinary Studies
37 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Sumter, SC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 264 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Central Carolina Technical College
594 degrees awarded
University of South Carolina-Sumter
159 degrees awarded
Morris College
90 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Central Carolina Technical College with 594 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 348 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Sumter, SC, which is 0.703 times less than the 495 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 441 degrees mean that there were 1.3 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 340 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

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($13,890) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,560) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($3,000) 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 Sumter, SC was $126,100 in 2021, which is 0.515 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $116,000 to $126,100, a 8.71% increase. The homeownership rate in Sumter, SC is 67.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Sumter, SC have an average commute time of 24.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Sumter, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Sumter, SC is $48,423. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Sumter, SC was Beaufort County, SC with a value of $74,199, followed by York County, SC and Charleston County, SC, with respective values of $72,234 and $70,807.

Housing

Property

$126,100

Median Property Value 2021

±$5,382

$35,251

Median Property Taxes

±$1,430

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 Sumter, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

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

Rent vs Own

67.3%

Homeownership

2021

68.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 67.3% of the housing units in Sumter, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 67.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Sumter, 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)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Sumter, SC was Beaufort County, SC with a value of $74,199, followed by York County, SC and Charleston County, SC, with respective values of $72,234 and $70,807.

The following map shows all of the counties in Sumter, 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.

$48,423

Median Household Income

± $1,678

52.4k

Number of Households

± 1,766

In 2021, the median household income of the 52.4k households in Sumter, SC grew to $48,423 from the previous year's value of $45,854.

The following chart displays the households in Sumter, 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 Sumter, 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 (84.9%)
Carpooled (8.53%)
Worked At Home (3.33%)

In 2021, 84.9% of workers in Sumter, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.53%) and those who worked at home (3.33%).

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

24.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Sumter, SC have a shorter commute time (24.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 3.03% of the workforce in Sumter, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

18.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Sumter, SC (24.7k out of 133k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 18 - 24.

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

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.

Health

88.9% of the population of Sumter, SC has health coverage, with 30.7% on employee plans, 24.1% on Medicaid, 10.6% on Medicare, 17.5% on non-group plans, and 5.99% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in South Carolina see 1485 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.602% decrease from the previous year (1494 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1768 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 524 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,485 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in South Carolina

Primary care physicians in South Carolina see an average of 1,485 patients per year. This represents a 0.602% decrease from the previous year (1,494 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.4% under 18 years, 19.9% between 18 and 34 years, 36.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.4% were men and 53.6% were women.

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

Uninsured People

11.1%

Uninsured

30.7%

Employer Coverage

24.1%

Medicaid

10.6%

Medicare

17.5%

Non-Group

5.99%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Sumter, SC grew by 0.233% from 11.1% to 11.1%.

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