County · South Carolina
Colleton County, South Carolina
Colleton County, South Carolina. Colleton County had 39,382 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.0% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). It holds 8 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 14 census tracts. GEOID 45029.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
39,382
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 38,604 · ACS 2020-2024: 38,783
Median household income
$51,114
±$2,869 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$162,500
±$8,694 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$949
±$72 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Colleton County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 38,604 residents in Colleton County. The Census Bureau estimates 39,382 for July 1, 2025, up 2.0% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 38,783 over 1,056 square miles of land.
| Measure | Colleton County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 38,783 | 5,296,225 | +1,198 |
| Households | 16,408±399 | 2,117,989 | +1,333 |
| Average household size | 2.33±0.06 | 2.44 | −0.12 |
| Housing units | 20,083±71 | 2,443,039 | no clear change |
Colleton County's population since 2000
From 38,264 in 2000 to 39,382 in 2025: up 2.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Colleton County?
Colleton County holds 8 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Walterboro with 5,485 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Walterboro | 5,544 | $56,457 |
|---|---|---|
| Edisto Beach | 1,033 | $85,521 |
| Cottageville | 701 | $80,938 |
| JacksonboroGEOID 4536250 | 412 | $113,242 |
| WilliamsGEOID 4577785 | 98 | not published |
| SmoaksGEOID 4567165 | 98 | $84,583 |
| LodgeGEOID 4542280 | 82 | $36,750 |
| IslandtonGEOID 4536070 | 58 | $26,458 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Colleton County?
The median resident of Colleton County is 42.0 years old; 22.7% are under 18 and 20.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 56.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 33.6%. 3.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Colleton County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0±0.6 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.7%±0.1 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.4%±0.2 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.6% | 7.4% | +1.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 56.5%±0.5 pts | 61.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 33.6%±1.1 pts | 24.6% | −4.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 1.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3%±1.2 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.4%±0.7 pts | 5.8% | +1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.2%±1.5 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.0%±1.4 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 20.5%±2.0 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.0%±2.2 pts | 9.6% | +3.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.7%±1.9 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.4%±1.8 pts | 32.1% | +2.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.8%±1.0 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 3.7% | – |
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 Colleton County earn?
Half of Colleton County's 16,408 households earn less than $51,114 a year (±$2,869), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $44,704 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,410 after inflation. 19.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Colleton County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,114±$2,869 | $69,324 | +$6,410 |
| Mean household income | $70,687±$4,272 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,122±$1,502 | $39,236 | +$2,813 |
| People below the poverty line | 19.6%±3.0 pts | 14.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.1%±6.7 pts | 19.4% | −11.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 23.4%±2.8 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.8%±2.3 pts | 88.8% | – |
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 Colleton County?
Owners occupy 73.3% of Colleton County's occupied homes and renters 26.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $162,500 by its owner (±$8,694). The median renter pays $949 a month including utilities, and 44.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Colleton County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $162,500±$8,694 | $259,000 | +$51,245 |
| Median gross rent | $949±$72 | $1,180 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.5%±8.5 pts | 42.8% | +16.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,364±$77 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.3%±3.1 pts | 71.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 20,083±71 | 2,443,039 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 14.3%±3.9 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 56.0%±2.7 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 35.8%±2.7 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.5 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.4%±1.1 pts | 3.6% | – |
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 Colleton County building?
Builders took permits for 73 new housing units across Colleton County in 2025 (71 single-family), 1.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Colleton County get to work?
78.9% of Colleton County's workers drive alone and 6.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 34.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.9%.
| Measure | Colleton County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.4%±2.2 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.9%±1.9 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.9%±2.5 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.6%±2.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.3%±1.7 pts | 11.5% | +4.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 34.9 min±1.9 | 25.6 min | +2.8 min |
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 are Colleton County's census tracts?
Colleton County is divided into 14 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $32,465 (Tract 9703.01) to $79,833 (Tract 9708).
| Tract 970145029970100 | 1,875±500 | $53,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970245029970200 | 1,675±353 | $56,154 |
| Tract 9703.0145029970301 | 4,283±522 | $32,465 |
| Tract 9703.0245029970302 | 1,476±474 | $39,335 |
| Tract 9704.0145029970401 | 4,029±722 | $36,352 |
| Tract 9704.0245029970402 | 3,959±578 | $57,796 |
| Tract 9705.0145029970501 | 2,632±361 | $51,944 |
| Tract 9705.0245029970502 | 2,525±292 | $73,157 |
| Tract 9706.0145029970601 | 4,084±451 | $33,988 |
| Tract 9706.0245029970602 | 3,687±633 | $75,353 |
| Tract 9707.0145029970701 | 3,455±576 | $72,150 |
| Tract 9707.0245029970702 | 2,713±500 | $46,923 |
| Tract 970845029970800 | 2,390±393 | $79,833 |
| Tract 990145029990100 | 0±14 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Colleton County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 26th of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 28th of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 40th of 46 |
| Median household income | 30th of 46 |
| Median home value | 28th of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 21st of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 14th of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th of 46 |
| Median age | 20th of 46 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Colleton County 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' school search.