Sumter, South Carolina Income Statistics
Sumter Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
Sumter Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Sumter | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $53,685 | $69,383 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,489 | $52,934 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.9% | 5.0% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.2% | 10.5% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 6.3% | 8.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Sumter is about 23% lower than in South Carolina. Income has been growing slower in Sumter (3.9%/yr) than in South Carolina (5.0%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Sumter earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the South Carolina average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Sumter, South Carolina grew by 52.9% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $53,685 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.9% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Sumter
| Metric | Sumter | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.550 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $55,381 | $62,655 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $43,840 | $49,387 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.8% | 21.2% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Sumter, it is 0.550, about the same as South Carolina's 0.547, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and about the same as the US's 0.552, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 26% more than women's income in Sumter, South Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 26% wage gap accumulates to roughly $403,935 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sumter, South Carolina has narrowed from about 26% to 21% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 16% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,743 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Sumter | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.7% | 11.5% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 895 people are unemployed in Sumter, South Carolina.
The average commute time in Sumter is 16 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in South Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Sumter, South Carolina has fallen from 10.9% to 6.3% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 12.2% in 2014.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Sumter, South Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with South Carolina, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Sumter, South Carolina.
How Rich Is Sumter, South Carolina?
Sumter has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $53,685, about 23% lower than the South Carolina average of $69,383.
How has median household income changed in Sumter, South Carolina?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Sumter, South Carolina rose 53%, from $35,121 to $53,685. Over the same years, income here lagged behind South Carolina as a whole: +53% against +59%.
What was the median household income in Sumter in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Sumter, South Carolina was $51,354, up 6% from $48,421 in 2022. The South Carolina median that year was $66,973.
What was the median household income in Sumter in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Sumter, South Carolina was $42,198. By 2024 it had risen 27% to $53,685.
Is it hard to find a job in Sumter, South Carolina?
Unemployment in Sumter, South Carolina is 6.3%, well above the South Carolina rate of 4.8%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Sumter, South Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Sumter is 0.550. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Sumter, South Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sumter, South Carolina has narrowed from about 26% to 21% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 16% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,743 since 2009.
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