Sumter, SC Demographics

A map of Sumter's Population by Race

Sumter, South Carolina has an estimated population of 43,053, a less than 1% change from the 43,463 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 46.1% Black, 38.4% White, 7.1% Hispanic, 4.5% Multiracial, 2.8% Asian, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Sumter, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Sumter has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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 Sumter, that probability was 60.1% in 2020 and 63.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sumter is ranked the 9th 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). Sumter was ranked the 9th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Sumter's White Population

16,546 residents of Sumter, or 38.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sumter is significantly lower than in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. Sumter ranks 352nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sumter's White population has declined by an estimated 5.1%. White residents' share of Sumter's population has decreased from 40.1% to 38.4%.

Sumter is more White than neighboring Mulberry (26.2% White), and South Sumter (4.1% White). Sumter is less White than neighboring Cane Savannah (44.9% White), Cherryvale (39.6% White), and Dalzell (45.1% White).

Sumter's Black Population

19,850 residents of Sumter, or 46.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sumter is significantly higher than in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. Sumter ranks 119th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sumter's Black population has declined by an estimated 5.5%. Black residents' share of Sumter's population has decreased from 48.3% to 46.1%.

Sumter is more Black than neighboring Dalzell (41.6% Black). Sumter is less Black than neighboring Mulberry (73.8% Black), Cane Savannah (52.4% Black), Cherryvale (51.4% Black), and South Sumter (83.6% Black).

Sumter's Asian Population

1,206 residents of Sumter, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sumter is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Sumter ranks 71st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sumter's Asian population has grown by an estimated 35.4%. Asian residents' share of Sumter's population has increased from 2.1% to 2.8%.

Sumter is more Asian than neighboring Mulberry (0% Asian), Cane Savannah (0% Asian), Cherryvale (0.7% Asian), South Sumter (0% Asian), and Dalzell (0% Asian).

Sumter's Hispanic Population

3,076 residents of Sumter, or 7.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sumter is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Sumter ranks 190th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sumter's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 46.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Sumter's population has increased from 4.8% to 7.1%.

Sumter is more Hispanic than neighboring Mulberry (0% Hispanic), Cane Savannah (0% Hispanic), Cherryvale (3.6% Hispanic), and Dalzell (4.1% Hispanic). Sumter is less Hispanic than neighboring South Sumter (12.3% Hispanic).

Sumter's Native American/Other Population

422 residents of Sumter, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Sumter is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Sumter ranks 254th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sumter's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 56.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sumter's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Sumter is more Native American/Other than neighboring Mulberry (0% Native American/Other), Cane Savannah (0% Native American/Other), Cherryvale (0% Native American/Other), South Sumter (0% Native American/Other), and Dalzell (0.8% Native American/Other).

Sumter's Multiracial Population

1,953 residents of Sumter, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sumter is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Sumter ranks 164th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sumter's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 10.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Sumter's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.5%.

Sumter is more Multiracial than neighboring Mulberry (0% Multiracial), Cane Savannah (2.7% Multiracial), and South Sumter (0% Multiracial). Sumter is less Multiracial than neighboring Cherryvale (4.7% Multiracial), and Dalzell (8.4% 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.