Blythewood: Demographics & People
5,731 people call Blythewood home, in 2,274 households. Population grew 8.0% from 5,309 (2022) to 5,731 (2024). Median age 46.1 years. (11.7y older than Richland County; 9.2y older than South Carolina). Children under 18 are 22% of the population. Population is 47% White (non-Hispanic) and 41% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.59). 74% of households are family-led. County is gaining 349 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 41% adult obesity, 22% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs South Carolina avg 2.5).
- 26% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs South Carolina 38%).
- 65 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs South Carolina 68).
Population & Trend
Population grew 8.0% from 5,309 (2022) to 5,731 (2024) — about 13.2× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~6,195 (extrapolated at 4.0%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 6,851.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 20,948 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 8.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 5,309 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 5,731 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 5,731 people (vs South Carolina 24,505) |
| Population Estimate | 6,851 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 46.1y is 7.2 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 22% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 46.1 years (vs South Carolina 36.9y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 22.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 5,731 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 1,277 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 887.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 2,584.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 983 |
| Population under 18 | 1,277 |
| Median age | 46.1 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 5,731 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.59 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 2,441 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 2,142 |
| Asian residents | 361 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 159 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 58.9% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 47.8% |
| Asian population | 5.1% (vs South Carolina 1.8%) |
| Black population | 40.8% (vs South Carolina 21.3%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 3.2% (vs South Carolina 6.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 46.6% (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). 1.4% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 6% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 2,108 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 3,190 |
| Share born in this state | 36.8% |
| Share born in another state | 63.2% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 55.7% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.4% |
| Naturalized citizens | 6.1% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 427 |
| From Europe | 85 |
| From Africa | 158 |
Households & Family Composition
2,274 households. Averaging 2.6 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 74% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 1,412 families, 28% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 1,247 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 1,412 |
| Married couples with children | 399 |
| Single-parent households | 25 |
| Average household size | 2.56 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 5.6% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 403 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 64 |
| Family households | 1,686 households (vs South Carolina 5,968) |
| Households that are families | 74.1% (vs South Carolina 61.8%) |
| Total households | 2,274 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. 11.7% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 349 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 11.7% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 18,036 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 17,687 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 349 |
| 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 | 344 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.1% |
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. 7 residents live in group quarters (0.1% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 7 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 45039 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 45 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 039 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Fairfield |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 23.6% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 18.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 29.60 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 45039 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Fairfield County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 778 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 45039 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Fairfield County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 80.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 67.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 48.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 22,347 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 7.40 |
| Family Score · Schools | 10 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 3 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 22.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 5,731, booming, established, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 5,731 people (vs South Carolina 24,505) |
| Town Summary · County | Fairfield County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade