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Sumter County, SC growth snapshot

Sumter County had an estimated 105,067 residents in 2025, down 0.3% (342 fewer people) since 2020. That is slower than South Carolina as a whole (+8.5%), and the 125th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.

Data as of 2025 · updated

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Headline numbers

What the numbers say

Net domestic migration added 221 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.

Employers counted 35,348 jobs in 2025, −0.8% since 2020 (121st of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,048.

Unemployment averaged 5.4% in 2025, 2.1 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).

Builders were authorized to start 358 new homes in 2025, or 3.4 per 1,000 residents.

Median household income was $56,693 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +21.7% since 2016–20.

Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 1,984th.

Part of the Sumter, SC metro area.

Sumter County population by year

Resident population, July 1 estimate (Census Bureau)
YearPopulationChange
2025105,067+279
2024104,788+392
2023104,396+506
2022103,890−813
2021104,703−706
2020105,409–

Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.

What drove the change in Sumter County

Sumter County lost 342 people since 2020; the biggest drag was domestic migration (−744).

Components of population change, people (Census Bureau)
Component20252020–25Share
Natural changebirths minus deaths+9−135
International migrationfrom and to other countries+35+505
Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties+221−744
Census adjustmentbalancing residual+14+32
Total change+279−342

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

MeasureIn South CarolinaAmong U.S. counties
Population growth35th of 461,984th of 3,107
Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents35th of 461,537th of 3,108
Private-sector job growth38th of 462,711th of 3,092
Median household income24th of 462,335th of 3,107
Average weekly wage23rd of 46–
Lowest unemployment rate32nd of 462,726th of 3,108
New homes permitted per 1,000 residents31st of 46990th 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, Sumter County's population change (−0.3%) was ahead of 1 of its 6 neighbouring counties and behind 5.

4 of its 6 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Sumter County's $56,693 (2020–24).

Sumter County, SC and its 6 neighbouring counties: public federal figures
CountyPopulation2025Population change2020–25Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025Median household income2020–24
Sumter County, SC This county105,067−0.3%2.13.4$56,693
Clarendon County, SC31,043+0.7%4.83.7$52,401
Lee County, SC15,730−5.0%−5.71.4$44,760
Kershaw County, SC73,166+11.6%17.77.0$68,231
Calhoun County, SC14,188+0.5%8.62.7$58,682
Richland County, SC434,956+4.6%3.87.8$63,784
Florence County, SC138,504+1.2%1.35.0$58,305

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 Sumter County?

About 105,067 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.

Is Sumter County growing?

No. Its population fell 0.3% between 2020 and 2025, about 342 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates). South Carolina as a whole changed +8.5% over the same years. That ranks 125th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.

How many people moved to Sumter County?

On net, about 221 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 Sumter County?

Employers there reported 35,348 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, −0.8% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,048 in 2025.

What is the unemployment rate in Sumter County?

It averaged 5.4% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).

How many new homes are being built in Sumter County?

Building permits authorized 358 new housing units in 2025, 3.4 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.

What is the median household income in Sumter County?

$56,693 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.

How does Sumter County compare with other South Carolina counties?

Among South Carolina counties it ranks 35th of 46 for population growth; 35th of 46 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 38th of 46 for private-sector job growth; 24th of 46 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 1,984th of 3,107 counties for population growth.

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Sources and method

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.