Summerville: Demographics & People
About 51,654 people live in Summerville, in 21,228 households. Population grew 0.8% from 51,262 (2022) to 51,654 (2024). Median age 38.9 years. (0.9y older than Dorchester County; 2.0y older than South Carolina). Children under 18 are 23% of the population. Population is 64% White (non-Hispanic) and 19% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.47). 64% of households are family-led. County is gaining 17,858 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs South Carolina avg 2.5).
- 36% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs South Carolina 38%).
- 64 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs South Carolina 68).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.8% from 51,262 (2022) to 51,654 (2024) — about 1.3× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~52,047 (extrapolated at 0.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 52,572.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 229,861 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 51,262 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 51,654 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 51,654 people (vs South Carolina 24,505) |
| Population Estimate | 52,572 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 38.9y is 0.0 years matches the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 23% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 38.9 years (vs South Carolina 36.9y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 22.8% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 51,654 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 11,801 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 11,082.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 20,401.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 8,370 |
| Population under 18 | 11,801 |
| Median age | 38.9 years (vs South Carolina 36.9y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 51,654 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.47 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 34,892 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 10,529 |
| Asian residents | 724 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 4,232 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 46.9% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 69.3% |
| Asian population | 1.9% (vs South Carolina 1.8%) |
| Black population | 19.4% (vs South Carolina 21.3%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 9.1% (vs South Carolina 6.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 63.8% (vs South Carolina 60.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 2.1% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 6% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 22,856 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 24,698 |
| Share born in this state | 44.2% |
| Share born in another state | 55.8% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 47.8% |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.1% |
| Naturalized citizens | 5.9% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 2,419 |
| From Europe | 426 |
| From Asia | 28 |
| From Africa | 734 |
Households & Family Composition
21,228 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 64% are family households — near the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 13,666 families, 30% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 11,997 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 13,666 |
| Married couples with children | 4,101 |
| Single-parent households | 347 |
| Average household size | 2.46 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 14.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 790 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 284 |
| Family households | 13,677 households (vs South Carolina 5,968) |
| Households that are families | 64.4% (vs South Carolina 61.8%) |
| Total households | 21,228 households (vs South Carolina 9,745) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 15.4% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 17,858 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 15.4% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 256,834 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 238,976 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 17,858 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 3,661 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.3% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 470 residents live in group quarters (0.9% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 470 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 1 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 45015 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 45 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 015 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Berkeley |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 17.8% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 16.30 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 19.50 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 45015 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Berkeley County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 5,908 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 45015 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Berkeley County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 66.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 55.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 40.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 227,907 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 27 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 25 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 22.8% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 51,654, stable, family-oriented, upper-middle, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 51,654 people (vs South Carolina 24,505) |
| Town Summary · County | Berkeley County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade