City · South Carolina
Clemson, South Carolina
Clemson, city, mostly in Pickens County (99.8% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Anderson County, South Carolina. Clemson had 18,941 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 17,681 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 18,072 (±94). GEOID 4514950.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,941
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,681 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,072 ±94
Median household income
$49,520
±$4,042 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$398,400
±$35,647 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$1,007
±$70 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
Where is Clemson and what county is it in?
Clemson is a city mostly in Pickens County (99.8% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Anderson County, South Carolina. It covers 7.9 square miles of land, 2,226 residents per square mile in 2020.
Clemson is in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pickens County | 17,641 | 99.8% |
| Anderson County | 40 | 0.2% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Clemson, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 18,941 people lived in Clemson on July 1, 2025, up 7.1% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 17,681 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 18,072 (±94).
| Measure | Clemson | Pickens County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,072 ±94 | 134,629 | +1,609 |
| Households | 7,868 ±413 | 52,414 | +1,117 |
| Average household size | 2.27 ±0.12 | 2.41 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,738 ±410 | 58,677 | +1,088 |
Clemson's population since 2000
From 11,939 in 2000 to 18,941 in 2025: up 58.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Clemson 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 Clemson?
The median resident of Clemson is 24.8 years old; 11.1% are under 18 and 13.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 76.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 8.1%. 6.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Clemson | Pickens County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 24.8 ±0.9 | 36.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 11.1% ±1.9 pts | 18.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.3% ±1.9 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Male | 55.1% ±3.2 pts | 49.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.0% ±1.2 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 76.9% ±3.8 pts | 82.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 8.1% ±2.0 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.3% ±1.5 pts | 1.6% | −2.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.0% ±2.5 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.9% ±1.5 pts | 3.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.4% ±1.9 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.1% ±1.3 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 10.3% ±2.1 pts | 15.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.4% ±2.5 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.2% ±1.8 pts | 87.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 59.4% ±4.6 pts | 28.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 34.5% ±4.2 pts | 12.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 69.5% ±4.3 pts | 82.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 6.8% ±2.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
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 Clemson earn?
Half of Clemson's 7,868 households earn less than $49,520 a year (±$4,042), against $61,064 in Pickens County and $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $53,619 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 36.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clemson | Pickens County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,520 ±$4,042 | $61,064 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $84,719 ±$10,643 | $86,979 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,246 ±$5,068 | $34,724 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 36.0% ±4.5 pts | 17.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.8% ±7.0 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 1.3% ±0.9 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.0% ±1.5 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.9% ±3.3 pts | 87.3% | – |
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 Clemson?
Owners occupy 34.3% of Clemson's occupied homes and renters 65.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $398,400 by its owner (±$35,647). The median renter pays $1,007 a month including utilities, and 57.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Clemson | Pickens County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $398,400 ±$35,647 | $231,900 | +$107,341 |
| Median gross rent | $1,007 ±$70 | $972 | −$135 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 57.8% ±6.4 pts | 49.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,017 ±$136 | $1,391 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 34.3% ±3.5 pts | 70.9% | −7.3 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 65.7% ±3.5 pts | 29.1% | – |
| Housing units | 8,738 ±410 | 58,677 | +1,088 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5% ±0.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.2% ±3.3 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 38.8% ±3.3 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.8% ±1.4 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 16.4% ±3.2 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.4% ±1.0 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.0% ±2.8 pts | 6.4% | – |
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 Clemson building?
Builders took permits for 48 new housing units in Clemson in 2025 (38 in single-family houses), 2.5 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 Clemson work and get to work?
69.7% of Clemson's workers drive alone and 9.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | Clemson | Pickens County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.0% ±3.9 pts | 57.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% ±2.2 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 69.7% ±5.5 pts | 78.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.7% ±4.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.5% ±1.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 6.1% ±2.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.8% ±2.7 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.9 min ±1.9 | 26.4 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 Clemson?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Clemson, and 5 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $33,348 (Tract 112.04) to $89,779 (Tract 112.07).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 112.05Pickens County | 5,168 | $34,044 |
| Tract 112.06Pickens County | 4,467 | $78,051 |
| Tract 112.07Pickens County | 3,588 | $89,779 |
| Tract 112.04Pickens County | 4,673 | $33,348 |
| Tract 112.02Pickens County | 6,112 | not published |
| Tract 111.04Pickens County | 4,753 | $50,717 |
| Tract 107.02Anderson County | 4,343 | $71,759 |
| Tract 111.01Pickens County | 3,097 | $91,250 |
| Tract 107.01Anderson County | 2,879 | $72,792 |
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 Clemson) · Census block assignment files
How does Clemson compare with other places in South Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Clemson is the 2,030th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 29th-most populous of 271 in South Carolina.
Clemson ranks 155th 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 | 29th | 271 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 46th | 149 |
| Residents per square mile | 20th | 261 |
| Median household income | 155th | 248 |
| Per capita income | 75th | 259 |
| Median home value | 29th | 248 |
| Median gross rent | 118th | 235 |
| Poverty rate | 21st | 214 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14th | 226 |
| Median age | 253rd | 261 |
| Owner-occupied share | 250th | 258 |
| Work from home | 82nd | 119 |
| Travel time to work | 236th | 261 |
Clemson's figures with every place in South Carolina (CSV)
Every place in South Carolina, sortable · Compare Clemson 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 Clemson?
8 of the 57 figures for Clemson 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 Clemson 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 Clemson.