Clemson, SC Demographics

A map of Clemson's Population by Race

Clemson, South Carolina has an estimated population of 18,072, a slight increase from the 17,681 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 76.9% White, 8.1% Black, 6.0% Multiracial, 5.3% Asian, 3.0% Hispanic, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Clemson, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Clemson has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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 Clemson, that probability was 41.7% in 2020 and 39.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Clemson is ranked the 34th 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). Clemson was ranked the 34th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Clemson's White Population

13,892 residents of Clemson, or 76.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Clemson is significantly higher than in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. Clemson ranks 134th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clemson's White population has grown by an estimated 4.3%. White residents' share of Clemson's population has increased from 75.3% to 76.9%.

Clemson is more White than neighboring Pendleton (74% White), and Central (61.2% White). Clemson is less White than neighboring Clemson University (83% White), La France (100% White), and Cateechee (83.4% White).

Clemson's Black Population

1,456 residents of Clemson, or 8.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Clemson is significantly lower than in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. Clemson ranks 390th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clemson's Black population has grown by an estimated 11.5%. Black residents' share of Clemson's population has increased from 7.4% to 8.1%.

Clemson is more Black than neighboring La France (0% Black), and Cateechee (7.5% Black). Clemson is less Black than neighboring Clemson University (9.4% Black), Pendleton (19.1% Black), and Central (10.7% Black).

Clemson's Asian Population

965 residents of Clemson, or 5.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Clemson is slightly higher than in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Clemson ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clemson's Asian population has declined by an estimated 35.7%. Asian residents' share of Clemson's population has decreased from 8.5% to 5.3%.

Clemson is more Asian than neighboring Clemson University (1.3% Asian), Pendleton (1.5% Asian), La France (0% Asian), and Cateechee (0% Asian). Clemson is less Asian than neighboring Central (8.9% Asian).

Clemson's Hispanic Population

534 residents of Clemson, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Clemson is slightly lower than in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Clemson ranks 204th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clemson's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 32.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Clemson's population has decreased from 4.5% to 3.0%.

Clemson is more Hispanic than neighboring Pendleton (0% Hispanic), La France (0% Hispanic), and Cateechee (1.4% Hispanic). Clemson is less Hispanic than neighboring Clemson University (4.3% Hispanic), and Central (6.2% Hispanic).

Clemson's Native American/Other Population

143 residents of Clemson, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Clemson is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Clemson ranks 196th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clemson's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 5.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Clemson's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Clemson is more Native American/Other than neighboring Pendleton (0.4% Native American/Other), Central (0.2% Native American/Other), La France (0% Native American/Other), and Cateechee (0% Native American/Other). Clemson is less Native American/Other than neighboring Clemson University (0.9% Native American/Other).

Clemson's Multiracial Population

1,082 residents of Clemson, or 6.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Clemson is slightly higher than in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Clemson ranks 227th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clemson's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 72.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Clemson's population has increased from 3.6% to 6.0%.

Clemson is more Multiracial than neighboring Clemson University (1.2% Multiracial), Pendleton (5.1% Multiracial), and La France (0% Multiracial). Clemson is less Multiracial than neighboring Central (12.8% Multiracial), and Cateechee (7.6% 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.