Population
12,796
2025
−3.5% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Bamberg County had an estimated 12,796 residents in 2025, down 3.5% (463 fewer people) since 2020. That is slower than South Carolina as a whole (+8.5%), and the 138th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
12,796
2025
−3.5% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
+30
2025
2.3 per 1,000 residents
−70 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.
3,560
2025
+4.0% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
$930
2025
+29.3% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
5.9%
2025
+1.0 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
24
2025
1.9 per 1,000 residents
Small base: the change swings on a few homes or people, so we don't show it.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
$44,370
2020–24
+3.6% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
2,387
2023
−21.8% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
Net domestic migration added 30 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 3,560 jobs in 2025, +4.0% since 2020 (93rd of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $930.
Unemployment averaged 5.9% in 2025, 1.0 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 24 new homes in 2025, or 1.9 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $44,370 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +3.6% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 2,750th.
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12,796 | −40 |
| 2024 | 12,836 | −128 |
| 2023 | 12,964 | +17 |
| 2022 | 12,947 | −177 |
| 2021 | 13,124 | −135 |
| 2020 | 13,259 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
Bamberg County lost 463 people since 2020; the biggest drag was natural change (−531).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −97 | −531 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +26 | +129 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +30 | −70 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +1 | +9 | |
| Total change | −40 | −463 |
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.
| Measure | In South Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 42nd of 46 | 2,750th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 34th of 46 | 1,500th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 45th of 46 | 3,044th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 42nd of 46 | 2,949th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 41st of 46 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 37th of 46 | 2,866th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 37th of 46 | 1,595th 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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Over 2020–25, Bamberg County's population change (−3.5%) was ahead of 1 of its 5 neighbouring counties and behind 4.
4 of its 5 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Bamberg County's $44,370 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bamberg County, SC This county | 12,796 | −3.5% | 2.3 | 1.9 | $44,370 |
| Orangeburg County, SC | 83,177 | −0.9% | 4.2 | 1.3 | $45,675 |
| Barnwell County, SC | 20,653 | +0.4% | 5.4 | 1.5 | $46,626 |
| Allendale County, SC | 7,355 | −7.4% | −17.5 | 0.5 | $32,328 |
| Hampton County, SC | 18,174 | −1.9% | 0.8 | 0.9 | $44,711 |
| Colleton County, SC | 39,382 | +2.2% | 0.0 | 1.9 | $51,114 |
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
About 12,796 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
No. Its population fell 3.5% between 2020 and 2025, about 463 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates). South Carolina as a whole changed +8.5% over the same years. That ranks 138th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
On net, about 30 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
Employers there reported 3,560 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +4.0% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $930 in 2025.
It averaged 5.9% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
Building permits authorized 24 new housing units in 2025, 1.9 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
$44,370 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Among South Carolina counties it ranks 42nd of 46 for population growth; 34th of 46 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 45th of 46 for private-sector job growth; 42nd of 46 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 2,750th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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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.