City · South Carolina
Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken, city, in Aiken County, South Carolina. Aiken had 33,808 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 32,025 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 32,521 (±32). GEOID 4500550.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
33,808
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 32,025 · ACS 2020-2024: 32,521 ±32
Median household income
$76,746
±$5,591 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$286,800
±$14,782 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$1,180
±$54 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
Where is Aiken and what county is it in?
Aiken is a city in Aiken County, South Carolina. It covers 21.8 square miles of land, 1,472 residents per square mile in 2020.
Aiken is in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Aiken, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 33,808 people lived in Aiken on July 1, 2025, up 5.2% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 32,025 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 32,521 (±32).
| Measure | Aiken | Aiken County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 32,521 ±32 | 174,160 | +1,850 |
| Households | 13,275 ±603 | 69,916 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.34 ±0.11 | 2.45 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,345 ±588 | 80,008 | +1,065 |
Aiken's population since 2000
From 25,337 in 2000 to 33,808 in 2025: up 33.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Aiken as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Aiken?
The median resident of Aiken is 46.6 years old; 17.3% are under 18 and 29.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 59.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 30.1%. 3.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Aiken | Aiken County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.6 ±3.2 | 42.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.3% ±2.0 pts | 21.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 29.1% ±2.2 pts | 20.8% | – |
| Male | 44.9% ±1.9 pts | 48.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.7% ±1.0 pts | 7.2% | +3.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 59.2% ±3.4 pts | 63.5% | −5.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 30.1% ±3.5 pts | 23.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±0.8 pts | 0.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4% ±1.0 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.3% ±0.9 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.1% ±1.3 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.0% ±1.6 pts | 9.8% | – |
| With a disability | 15.9% ±2.2 pts | 15.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.8% ±1.8 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.3% ±1.7 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 47.7% ±3.4 pts | 31.9% | +6.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 18.5% ±2.3 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.8% ±2.6 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 6.6% ±1.7 pts | 4.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Aiken earn?
Half of Aiken's 13,275 households earn less than $76,746 a year (±$5,591), against $70,609 in Aiken County and $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $69,164 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,582 after inflation. 17.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Aiken | Aiken County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $76,746 ±$5,591 | $70,609 | +$7,582 |
| Mean household income | $106,692 ±$8,674 | $93,371 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,554 ±$3,774 | $38,470 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.0% ±2.7 pts | 14.3% | +4.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 29.0% ±7.0 pts | 19.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.5% ±2.0 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.0% ±1.9 pts | 94.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.1% ±1.8 pts | 91.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Aiken?
Owners occupy 68.1% of Aiken's occupied homes and renters 31.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $286,800 by its owner (±$14,782). The median renter pays $1,180 a month including utilities, and 53.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Aiken | Aiken County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $286,800 ±$14,782 | $218,000 | +$54,691 |
| Median gross rent | $1,180 ±$54 | $1,062 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 53.5% ±7.7 pts | 38.6% | +13.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,448 ±$92 | $1,384 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.1% ±4.4 pts | 76.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 31.9% ±4.4 pts | 23.5% | – |
| Housing units | 15,345 ±588 | 80,008 | +1,065 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±1.0 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.8% ±2.8 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.6% ±3.1 pts | 67.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.9% ±0.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 11.3% ±2.2 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.2% ±1.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.4% ±1.9 pts | 5.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Aiken building?
Builders took permits for 134 new housing units in Aiken in 2025 (132 in single-family houses), 4.0 per 1,000 residents against 8.2 across South Carolina.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Aiken work and get to work?
77.1% of Aiken's workers drive alone and 12.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Aiken | Aiken County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.0% ±2.7 pts | 58.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% ±1.7 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.1% ±4.1 pts | 79.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8% ±2.7 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7% ±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.3% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.2% ±2.6 pts | 10.6% | +8.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.2 min ±2.4 | 25.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Aiken?
7 census tracts lie mostly in Aiken, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $35,036 (Tract 214.02) to $127,500 (Tract 212.05).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 212.05Aiken County | 8,044 | $127,500 |
| Tract 213Aiken County | 5,249 | $74,111 |
| Tract 215Aiken County | 4,902 | $62,304 |
| Tract 212.01Aiken County | 6,110 | $110,844 |
| Tract 212.02Aiken County | 3,797 | $70,938 |
| Tract 214.02Aiken County | 3,472 | $35,036 |
| Tract 214.01Aiken County | 2,332 | $45,769 |
| Tract 216.01Aiken County | 6,285 | $61,637 |
| Tract 216.04Aiken County | 5,692 | $81,792 |
| Tract 212.04Aiken County | 2,450 | $68,333 |
| Tract 216.03Aiken County | 3,003 | $105,064 |
| Tract 203.03Aiken County | 2,488 | $74,335 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Aiken) · Census block assignment files
How does Aiken compare with other places in South Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Aiken is the 1,232nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 17th-most populous of 271 in South Carolina.
Aiken ranks 57th of 248 places in South Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 17th | 271 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 72nd | 149 |
| Residents per square mile | 62nd | 261 |
| Median household income | 57th | 248 |
| Per capita income | 34th | 259 |
| Median home value | 57th | 248 |
| Median gross rent | 75th | 235 |
| Poverty rate | 130th | 214 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26th | 226 |
| Median age | 48th | 261 |
| Owner-occupied share | 121st | 258 |
| Work from home | 59th | 119 |
| Travel time to work | 144th | 261 |
Aiken's figures with every place in South Carolina (CSV)
Every place in South Carolina, sortable · Compare Aiken with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Aiken?
6 of the 57 figures for Aiken on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Aiken are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Aiken.