Population
181,515
2025
+7.3% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Aiken County, SC growth snapshot
Aiken County had an estimated 181,515 residents in 2025, up 7.3% (12,345 more people) since 2020. That is slower than South Carolina as a whole (+8.5%), and the 38th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+2,671
2025
14.7 per 1,000 residents
+11,923 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
66,800
2025
+14.6% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$1,268
2025
+21.9% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
4.3%
2025
+1.5 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
1,959
2025
+19.2% since 2021
10.8 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$70,609
2020–24
+32.3% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
54,369
2023
+13.9% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 2,671 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 66,800 jobs in 2025, +14.6% since 2020 (32nd of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,268.
Unemployment averaged 4.3% in 2025, 1.5 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 1,959 new homes in 2025, or 10.8 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $70,609 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +32.3% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 352nd.
Part of the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area.
Aiken County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 181,515 | +3,152 |
| 2024 | 178,363 | +2,027 |
| 2023 | 176,336 | +2,791 |
| 2022 | 173,545 | +2,519 |
| 2021 | 171,026 | +1,856 |
| 2020 | 169,170 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Aiken County
Aiken County grew by 12,345 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+11,923).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +415 | −871 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +81 | +1,198 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +2,671 | +11,923 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −15 | +95 | |
| Total change | +3,152 | +12,345 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In South Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 14th of 46 | 352nd of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 13th of 46 | 267th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 8th of 46 | 420th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 10th of 46 | 1,145th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 5th of 46 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 11th of 46 | 1,946th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 6th of 46 | 120th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Aiken County's population change (+7.3%) was ahead of 5 of its 7 neighbouring counties and behind 2 (Edgefield County and Lexington County).
2 of its 7 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Aiken County's $70,609 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken County, SC This county | 181,515 | +7.3% | 14.7 | 10.8 | $70,609 |
| Barnwell County, SC | 20,653 | +0.4% | 5.4 | 1.5 | $46,626 |
| Edgefield County, SC | 29,808 | +16.1% | 17.3 | 6.5 | $73,029 |
| Richmond County, GA | 206,559 | −0.0% | −3.2 | 2.6 | $55,637 |
| Saluda County, SC | 19,680 | +4.0% | 3.0 | 3.1 | $51,009 |
| Lexington County, SC | 317,588 | +7.7% | 8.4 | 6.3 | $77,408 |
| Burke County, GA | 24,408 | −0.9% | 4.0 | 4.1 | $53,014 |
| Orangeburg County, SC | 83,177 | −0.9% | 4.2 | 1.3 | $45,675 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 46 South Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Aiken County?
About 181,515 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Aiken County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 7.3% between 2020 and 2025, about 12,345 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). South Carolina as a whole changed +8.5% over the same years. That ranks 38th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Aiken County?
On net, about 2,671 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Aiken County?
Employers there reported 66,800 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +14.6% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,268 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Aiken County?
It averaged 4.3% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Aiken County?
Building permits authorized 1,959 new housing units in 2025, 10.8 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Aiken County?
$70,609 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Aiken County compare with other South Carolina counties?
Among South Carolina counties it ranks 14th of 46 for population growth; 13th of 46 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 8th of 46 for private-sector job growth; 10th of 46 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 352nd of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.