Clemson: Demographics & People
Census counts 18,072 people in Clemson, in 7,868 households. Population grew 1.8% from 17,759 (2022) to 18,072 (2024). Median age 24.8 years. (11.4y younger than Pickens County; 12.1y younger than South Carolina). Children under 18 are 11% of the population. Population is 77% White (non-Hispanic) and 8% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.31). 33% of households are family-led. County is gaining 8,427 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 38% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs South Carolina avg 2.5).
- 67% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs South Carolina 38%).
- 32 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs South Carolina 68).
Population & Trend
Population grew 1.8% from 17,759 (2022) to 18,072 (2024) — about 2.9× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~18,391 (extrapolated at 0.9%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 18,822.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 203,718 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 1.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 17,759 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 18,072 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 18,072 people (vs South Carolina 24,505) |
| Population Estimate | 18,822 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 24.8y is 14.1 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 11% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 24.8 years (vs South Carolina 36.9y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 11.1% |
| Age Summary · Character | young community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 18,072 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 2,012 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 9,691.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 3,966.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 2,403 |
| Population under 18 | 2,012 |
| Median age | 24.8 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 18,072 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.31 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 13,939 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 1,542 |
| Asian residents | 887 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 600 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 31.3% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 82.1% |
| Asian population | 5.3% (vs South Carolina 1.8%) |
| Black population | 8.1% (vs South Carolina 21.3%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 3.0% (vs South Carolina 6.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 76.9% (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). 0.8% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 7% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 7,768 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 8,918 |
| Share born in this state | 43.0% |
| Share born in another state | 57.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 49.3% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.8% |
| Naturalized citizens | 6.9% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 1,360 |
| From Europe | 179 |
| From Africa | 1,039 |
| Census Foreign Born · Caribbean | 38 |
Households & Family Composition
7,868 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 33% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 2,503 families, 34% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 1,869 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 2,503 |
| Married couples with children | 863 |
| Single-parent households | 87 |
| Average household size | 2.33 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 8.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 34 |
| Family households | 2,598 households (vs South Carolina 5,968) |
| Households that are families | 33.0% (vs South Carolina 61.8%) |
| Total households | 7,868 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. 30.5% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 8,427 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 30.5% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 197,830 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 189,403 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 8,427 |
| 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 | 700 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 4.0% |
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. 206 residents live in group quarters (1.1% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 206 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 45007 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 45 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 007 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Anderson |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 22.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 21.10 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 24.90 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 45007 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Anderson County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 9,753 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 45007 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Anderson County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 47.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 41.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 46.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 202,558 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 3.30 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 6 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 11.1% |
| Family Score · Rating | fair |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 18,072, growing, young community, working-class, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 18,072 people (vs South Carolina 24,505) |
| Town Summary · County | Anderson County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade