Population
19,680
2025
+4.0% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Saluda County, SC growth snapshot
Saluda County had an estimated 19,680 residents in 2025, up 4.0% (766 more people) since 2020. That is slower than South Carolina as a whole (+8.5%), and the 67th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+59
2025
3.0 per 1,000 residents
+391 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
4,537
2025
−9.1% 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
$962
2025
+42.2% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2025
+1.4 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
61
2025
−48.3% since 2021
3.1 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
$51,009
2020–24
+17.5% 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
4,210
2023
+8.7% 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 59 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 4,537 jobs in 2025, −9.1% since 2020 (142nd of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $962.
Unemployment averaged 3.9% in 2025, 1.4 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 61 new homes in 2025, or 3.1 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $51,009 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +17.5% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 769th.
Part of the Columbia, SC metro area.
Saluda County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19,680 | +111 |
| 2024 | 19,569 | +242 |
| 2023 | 19,327 | +225 |
| 2022 | 19,102 | +188 |
| 2021 | 18,914 | +0 |
| 2020 | 18,914 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Saluda County
Saluda County grew by 766 people since 2020; the largest part came from international migration (+520).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −8 | −162 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +58 | +520 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +59 | +391 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +2 | +17 | |
| Total change | +111 | +766 |
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 | 22nd of 46 | 769th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 33rd of 46 | 1,391st of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 15th of 46 | 807th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 31st of 46 | 2,687th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 37th of 46 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 6th of 46 | 1,475th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 33rd of 46 | 1,085th 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, Saluda County's population change (+4.0%) was ahead of 1 of its 5 neighbouring counties and behind 4.
Its median household income ($51,009, 2020–24) is lower than in all 5 of its neighbouring counties.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saluda County, SC This county | 19,680 | +4.0% | 3.0 | 3.1 | $51,009 |
| Edgefield County, SC | 29,808 | +16.1% | 17.3 | 6.5 | $73,029 |
| Newberry County, SC | 39,561 | +4.8% | 5.8 | 4.0 | $61,780 |
| Greenwood County, SC | 70,379 | +1.5% | 3.7 | 4.4 | $52,830 |
| Lexington County, SC | 317,588 | +7.7% | 8.4 | 6.3 | $77,408 |
| Aiken County, SC | 181,515 | +7.3% | 14.7 | 10.8 | $70,609 |
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 Saluda County?
About 19,680 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Saluda County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 4.0% between 2020 and 2025, about 766 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). South Carolina as a whole changed +8.5% over the same years. That ranks 67th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Saluda County?
On net, about 59 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 Saluda County?
Employers there reported 4,537 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, −9.1% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $962 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Saluda County?
It averaged 3.9% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Saluda County?
Building permits authorized 61 new housing units in 2025, 3.1 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Saluda County?
$51,009 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Saluda County compare with other South Carolina counties?
Among South Carolina counties it ranks 22nd of 46 for population growth; 33rd of 46 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 15th of 46 for private-sector job growth; 31st of 46 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 769th 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.