2005 Summary Analysis of the South Carolina Homeless Population
Other Demographics of the Homeless Population in South Carolina
Race: Based on the reports of those homeless interviewed, 60% of the homeless are African American and 37% are White. These percentages applied statewide, translate to approximately 3,900 African Americans and over 2,400 Whites.
Asian and other races make up less than 3% or less than 150 other race persons statewide. A follow up survey item was asked regarding whether someone was of Hispanic, Latino or Chicano origin. Only 2% ( 40 of 1906) stated that they were of Hispanic, Latino or Chicano origin. The statewide number of Hispanic homeless is shown in Table 9.
Table 9: Race/Origin of Homeless Population
| Race or Origin | Number (In Survey) | Percent | Number in S.C. |
|---|---|---|---|
| African American | 1,205 | 60.1% | 3,899 |
| Asian | 8 | .4% | 26 |
| White | 748 | 37.3% | 2,419 |
| Other | 43 | 2.1% | 137 |
| Total | 2,004 | 100.0% | 6,481 |
| Hispanic, Latino, or Chicano* | 40 | 2.0% | 130 |
*This was a separate question on origin.
The racial make-up of sheltered versus unsheltered persons varies somewhat. African- Americans make-up 57% of the sheltered homeless population and 63% of the unsheltered homeless.
When compared to the state's 2000 Census population, the homeless population has a greater proportion of African Americans. While the Census Population showed that African Americans make-up approximately 30% of the population and whites make-up 67%; almost the inverse is true with the Homeless population. The homeless population was 60% African American and the white population was 37%. The other populations and the Hispanic origin population reflected the State's 2000 population.
Gender: The first table in this report noted there were 2,084 females (33.6%) and 4,397 males (66.4%) counted in the homeless population. The 2000 Census showed that South Carolina's population was 51% and 49% male. There are higher percentages of females in shelters than in the unsheltered locations. Thus, while females are underrepresented in the homeless population in general, they are slightly less underrepresented in shelters than in unsheltered locations.
Table 10: Gender - Sheltered Versus Unsheltered Numbers and Percentages
| Gender | Homeless Count Statewide | Sheltered | Unsheltered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 2,084 (34%) | 360 (38%) | 317 (30%) |
| Male | 4,397 (66%) | 579 (62%) | 759 (70%) |
Educational Attainment: Sixty-five percent of the homeless population have completed high school, some college, or have completed college. The sheltered and unsheltered populations do not show many differences on education other than a slight difference in the percent with less than 12th grade completed (31% sheltered, 39% unsheltered).
Table 11: Educational Attainment, Sheltered and Unsheltered
| Educational Attainment | Homeless Count (Interviewed) | Sheltered | Unsheltered | Statewide Homeless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less Than 6th | 32 (2%) | 10 (1%) | 22 (2%) | 110 |
| 6th-8th | 97 (5%) | 36 (4%) | 61 (6%) | 330 |
| 9th | 119 (7%) | 48 (5%) | 71 (8%) | 439 |
| 10th | 194 (11%) | 86 (10%) | 108 (12%) | 659 |
| 11th | 203 (11%) | 98 (11%) | 105 (11%) | 604 |
| 12th | 756 (42%) | 363 (42%) | 393 (42%) | 2,306 |
| Some College | 326 (18%) | 178 (20%) | 148 (16%) | 879 |
| College | 87 (5%) | 54 (6%) | 33 (4%) | 220 |
| Total | 1,814 (100%) | 873 (100%) | 941 (100%) | 5,491*, ** |
| Less Than 12th | 36% | 31% | 39% | 1,977 |
*The 5,491 is the number of adults out of the total of 6,481. Children were not included in this analysis of educational attainment.
** Column may not add correctly due to rounding.
While not entirely comparable to the 2000 Census information, it does appear that the homeless population has a higher proportion of persons who had less than 12 years of school (36% of the Homeless population compared with 20% from the 2000 Census).