Beaufort, SC Demographics

A map of Beaufort's Population by Race

Beaufort, South Carolina has an estimated population of 13,747, a slight increase from the 13,607 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 62.6% White, 26.0% Black, 7.4% Hispanic, 2.8% Multiracial, 0.9% Asian, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Beaufort, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Beaufort has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than South Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Beaufort, that probability was 52.8% in 2020 and 53.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Beaufort is ranked the 45th most populous place in South Carolina, out of 475 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Beaufort was ranked the 45th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Beaufort's White Population

8,600 residents of Beaufort, or 62.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Beaufort is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. Beaufort ranks 209th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Beaufort's White population has declined by an estimated 2.8%. White residents' share of Beaufort's population has decreased from 65.0% to 62.6%.

Beaufort is more White than neighboring Burton (49.6% White), Laurel Bay (45.2% White), Seabrook (49.8% White), and Lobeco (0% White). Beaufort is less White than neighboring Shell Point (84.2% White).

Beaufort's Black Population

3,573 residents of Beaufort, or 26.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Beaufort is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. Beaufort ranks 272nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Beaufort's Black population has grown by an estimated 29.6%. Black residents' share of Beaufort's population has increased from 20.3% to 26.0%.

Beaufort is more Black than neighboring Shell Point (9.4% Black). Beaufort is less Black than neighboring Burton (37.8% Black), Laurel Bay (38.4% Black), Seabrook (44.8% Black), and Lobeco (100% Black).

Beaufort's Asian Population

127 residents of Beaufort, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Beaufort is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Beaufort ranks 83rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Beaufort's Asian population has declined by an estimated 50.0%. Asian residents' share of Beaufort's population has decreased from 1.9% to 0.9%.

Beaufort is more Asian than neighboring Laurel Bay (0.3% Asian), Seabrook (0% Asian), Shell Point (0% Asian), and Lobeco (0% Asian). Beaufort is less Asian than neighboring Burton (3.4% Asian).

Beaufort's Hispanic Population

1,013 residents of Beaufort, or 7.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Beaufort is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Beaufort ranks 92nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Beaufort's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 12.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Beaufort's population has decreased from 8.5% to 7.4%.

Beaufort is more Hispanic than neighboring Burton (3.4% Hispanic), Seabrook (0% Hispanic), Shell Point (4.2% Hispanic), and Lobeco (0% Hispanic). Beaufort is less Hispanic than neighboring Laurel Bay (13.8% Hispanic).

Beaufort's Native American/Other Population

52 residents of Beaufort, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Beaufort is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Beaufort ranks 141st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Beaufort's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 58.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Beaufort's population has decreased from 0.9% to 0.4%.

Beaufort is more Native American/Other than neighboring Burton (0.1% Native American/Other), Laurel Bay (0.2% Native American/Other), Seabrook (0% Native American/Other), Shell Point (0% Native American/Other), and Lobeco (0% Native American/Other).

Beaufort's Multiracial Population

382 residents of Beaufort, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Beaufort is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Beaufort ranks 238th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Beaufort's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 19.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Beaufort's population has decreased from 3.5% to 2.8%.

Beaufort is more Multiracial than neighboring Laurel Bay (2.1% Multiracial), Shell Point (2.2% Multiracial), and Lobeco (0% Multiracial). Beaufort is less Multiracial than neighboring Burton (5.7% Multiracial), and Seabrook (5.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.