County · South Carolina
Pickens County, South Carolina
Pickens County, South Carolina. Pickens County had 139,198 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.9% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). It holds 12 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 37 census tracts. GEOID 45077.
Pickens County is one of the 4 counties of the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
139,198
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 131,404 · ACS 2020-2024: 134,629
Median household income
$61,064
±$1,855 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$231,900
±$4,875 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$972
±$30 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Pickens County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 131,404 residents in Pickens County. The Census Bureau estimates 139,198 for July 1, 2025, up 5.9% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 134,629 over 497 square miles of land.
| Measure | Pickens County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 134,629 | 5,296,225 | +10,600 |
| Households | 52,414±676 | 2,117,989 | +4,480 |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.03 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 58,677±134 | 2,443,039 | +4,413 |
Pickens County's population since 2000
From 110,757 in 2000 to 139,198 in 2025: up 25.7%. 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 Pickens County?
Pickens County holds 12 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Easley with 27,319 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Easley | 22,921 | $66,299 |
|---|---|---|
| Clemson | 17,681 | $49,520 |
| Clemson UniversityGEOID 4515040 | 7,311 | not published |
| Central | 5,247 | $60,258 |
| Pickens | 3,388 | $55,000 |
| Liberty | 3,366 | $42,206 |
| Arial | 2,729 | $54,286 |
| Six Mile | 759 | $96,250 |
| Norris | 741 | $50,750 |
| DacusvilleGEOID 4518250 | 399 | $51,000 |
| CateecheeGEOID 4512520 | 321 | not published |
| Pendleton | 3,489 | $61,901 |
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 Pickens County?
The median resident of Pickens County is 36.2 years old; 18.6% are under 18 and 17.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 82.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 5.7%. 3.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pickens County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.2±0.2 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.6% | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.3%±0.1 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.4% | 7.4% | +1.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 82.7%±0.4 pts | 61.9% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.7%±0.3 pts | 24.6% | −1.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | −0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 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 | 4.0%±0.5 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.5%±0.4 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.6%±0.5 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9%±0.5 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.4%±0.8 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.6%±0.8 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.8%±1.0 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.5%±1.4 pts | 32.1% | +2.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.5%±0.9 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.7%±0.6 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 Pickens County earn?
Half of Pickens County's 52,414 households earn less than $61,064 a year (±$1,855), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $61,009 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pickens County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,064±$1,855 | $69,324 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $86,979±$6,837 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,724±$2,628 | $39,236 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.2%±1.5 pts | 14.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.7%±3.3 pts | 19.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.3%±0.9 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.3%±1.3 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 Pickens County?
Owners occupy 70.9% of Pickens County's occupied homes and renters 29.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $231,900 by its owner (±$4,875). The median renter pays $972 a month including utilities, and 49.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pickens County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $231,900±$4,875 | $259,000 | +$50,127 |
| Median gross rent | $972±$30 | $1,180 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 49.3%±3.8 pts | 42.8% | +6.7 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,391±$46 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.9%±1.6 pts | 71.9% | +3.8 pts |
| Housing units | 58,677±134 | 2,443,039 | +4,413 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.0%±2.2 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.1%±1.7 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.2%±1.2 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.2%±0.5 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.1%±0.6 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 Pickens County building?
Builders took permits for 946 new housing units across Pickens County in 2025 (930 single-family), 6.8 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 Pickens County get to work?
78.6% of Pickens County's workers drive alone and 10.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Pickens County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.1%±1.2 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±0.6 pts | 4.9% | −1.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.6%±1.6 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8%±1.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.1%±1.2 pts | 11.5% | +5.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.4 min±0.8 | 25.6 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 are Pickens County's census tracts?
Pickens County is divided into 37 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $33,348 (Tract 112.04) to $139,145 (Tract 102.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Pickens County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 14th of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 19th of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 11th of 46 |
| Median household income | 20th of 46 |
| Median home value | 15th of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 17th of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 25th of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13th of 46 |
| Median age | 45th 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 Pickens 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.