Saluda County Demographics

A map of Saluda County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	10,931	11,264	57.1%	59.7%
Black	4,063	4,028	21.2%	21.4%
Hispanic	3,275	3,012	17.1%	16.0%
Multiracial	581	441	3.0%	2.3%
Native American/Other	210	82	1.1%	0.4%
Asian	71	35	0.4%	0.2%

Saluda County, South Carolina has an estimated population of 19,131, a slight increase from the 18,862 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 57.1% White, 21.2% Black, 17.1% Hispanic, 3.0% Multiracial, 1.1% Native American/Other, and 0.4% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Saluda County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Saluda has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more 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 Saluda County, that probability was 57.2% in 2020 and 59.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Saluda County is ranked the 40th most populous county in South Carolina, out of 46 counties. Saluda County was ranked the 40th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Saluda County's White Population

10,931 residents of Saluda County, or 57.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Saluda County is slightly lower than in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. Saluda County ranks 22nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 46 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Saluda County's White population has declined by an estimated 3.0%. White residents' share of Saluda County's population has decreased from 59.7% to 57.1%.

Saluda County is more White than neighboring Edgefield County (56.5% White). Saluda County is less White than neighboring Newberry County (59.7% White), Greenwood County (57.7% White), Lexington County (70.3% White), and Aiken County (63.5% White).

Saluda County's Black Population

4,063 residents of Saluda County, or 21.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Saluda County is slightly lower than in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. Saluda County ranks 35th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 46 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Saluda County's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Saluda County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 21.2%.

Saluda County is more Black than neighboring Lexington County (15.1% Black). Saluda County is less Black than neighboring Newberry County (28.7% Black), Edgefield County (30.1% Black), Greenwood County (31.2% Black), and Aiken County (23.7% Black).

Saluda County's Asian Population

71 residents of Saluda County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Saluda County is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Saluda County ranks 46th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 46 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Saluda County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 102.9%. Asian residents' share of Saluda County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Saluda County is more Asian than neighboring Edgefield County (0.3% Asian). Saluda County is less Asian than neighboring Newberry County (0.5% Asian), Greenwood County (0.9% Asian), Lexington County (2.2% Asian), and Aiken County (0.9% Asian).

Saluda County's Hispanic Population

3,275 residents of Saluda County, or 17.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Saluda County is higher than in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Saluda County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 46 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Saluda County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Saluda County's population has increased from 16.0% to 17.1%.

Saluda County is more Hispanic than neighboring Newberry County (9.2% Hispanic), Edgefield County (7.2% Hispanic), Greenwood County (7.2% Hispanic), Lexington County (7.9% Hispanic), and Aiken County (7.2% Hispanic).

Saluda County's Native American/Other Population

210 residents of Saluda County, or 1.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Saluda County is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Saluda County ranks 42nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 46 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Saluda County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 156.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Saluda County's population has increased from 0.4% to 1.1%.

Saluda County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Newberry County (0.4% Native American/Other), Edgefield County (0.8% Native American/Other), Greenwood County (0.8% Native American/Other), Lexington County (0.7% Native American/Other), and Aiken County (0.6% Native American/Other).

Saluda County's Multiracial Population

581 residents of Saluda County, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Saluda County is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Saluda County ranks 39th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 46 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Saluda County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 31.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Saluda County's population has increased from 2.3% to 3.0%.

Saluda County is more Multiracial than neighboring Newberry County (1.4% Multiracial), and Greenwood County (2.3% Multiracial). Saluda County is less Multiracial than neighboring Edgefield County (5% Multiracial), Lexington County (3.8% Multiracial), and Aiken County (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.