Living in Sumter, South Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sumter · Census data 2020–2024
Sumter has 43,053 residents with a median age of 33.6. The median household income is $55,592 (20% lower than the South Carolina median), the median home value is $199,100, the median rent is $1,076/month.
Sumter at a glance
- Population
- 43,053
- Median age
- 33.6State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $55,592State: $69,324
- Median home value
- $199,100State: $259,000
- Median rent
- $1,076/moState: $1,180
- Homeowners
- 57.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28.7%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Sumter a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 23% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 20% lower than the South Carolina median; unemployment of 6.6%; a poverty rate of 16.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Sumter
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sumter the median home value is $199,100, 40% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,076 per month, which is 31.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,423 a month in housing costs.
Sumter median household income
The median household income in Sumter is $55,592 and the income per person is $29,338. 16.7% of residents live below the poverty line (South Carolina: 14.1%).
Housing in Sumter: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 18,739
- Owner-occupied
- 57.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 42.8%
- Vacant
- 14.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1986
- Average household size
- 2.56
Sumter demographics
- Population
- 43,053
- Median age
- 33.6
- Under 18
- 26%
- 65 and older
- 17.6%
- Households
- 16,081
- Foreign-born
- 4.9%
- Veterans
- 14.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sumter ›
Education in Sumter
28.7% of adults 25 and older in Sumter have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Carolina: 32.1%), and 10.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sumter
- Unemployment rate
- 6.6%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 6.1%
- Drive alone
- 82.3%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 1.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.2%
Sumter vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumter | 43,053 | $55,592 | $199,100 | $1,076 |
| Cherryvale | 2,611 | $40,428 | $90,500 | $809 |
| Cane Savannah | 1,551 | $131,705 | $265,500 | $990 |
| South Sumter | 1,626 | $46,406 | $69,900 | $917 |
| Dalzell | 2,946 | $47,354 | $157,500 | $1,067 |
| Oakland | 1,060 | $68,778 | $123,200 | $1,545 |
| Stateburg | 2,027 | $66,481 | $206,700 | — |
| Lakewood | 3,544 | $56,500 | $294,200 | $939 |
| Wedgefield | 1,968 | $44,410 | $26,500 | $1,094 |
More for people moving to Sumter
Sumter ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sumter: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sumter, SC?
The median household income in Sumter is $55,592, 20% lower than the South Carolina median of $69,324 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Sumter?
The median home value in Sumter is $199,100, compared with $259,000 in South Carolina.
How much is rent in Sumter?
The median gross rent in Sumter is $1,076 per month, about 31.8% of household income.
Is Sumter, SC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 23% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 20% lower than the South Carolina median; unemployment of 6.6%; a poverty rate of 16.7%.
What is the median age in Sumter?
The median age in Sumter is 33.6 years (South Carolina: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Sumter?
The average commute to work in Sumter is 20 minutes; 6.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sumter?
The unemployment rate in Sumter is 6.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sumter?
28.7% of adults in Sumter have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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