Arkwright, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Arkwright, South Carolina had a total population of 2,816, the 158th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $53,519, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.1% is notably above the national average.
Arkwright Quick Facts
How Arkwright Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,910 | 2,816 | -3.2% |
| Median household income | $51,458 | $53,519 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $111,400 | $164,100 | +47.3% |
How Arkwright Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Arkwright Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Spartanburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg | 38,910 | $51,964 | 23.8% | $203,700 |
| Boiling Springs | 12,936 | $72,068 | 9.9% | $244,400 |
| Valley Falls | 8,239 | $55,661 | 22.2% | $256,600 |
| Lyman | 6,547 | $75,653 | 6.1% | $277,600 |
| Woodruff | 4,538 | $70,959 | 14.2% | $204,800 |
| Duncan | 4,310 | $52,500 | 12.4% | $211,400 |
| Saxon | 4,085 | $32,292 | 45.8% | $90,000 |
| Southern Shops | 3,797 | $37,754 | 43.3% | $109,600 |
| Whitney | 3,685 | $51,275 | 17.6% | $157,400 |
| Wellford | 3,515 | $57,338 | 16.2% | $223,000 |
Cities Similar to Arkwright
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Ellenton | 2,837 | $58,476 | $174,200 | 22.4% | 17.3% |
| Roebuck | 2,902 | $51,204 | $211,600 | 25.1% | 11.2% |
| Bamberg | 2,996 | $49,531 | $157,900 | 24.4% | 31.8% |
| Dalzell | 2,946 | $47,354 | $157,500 | 12.4% | 15.3% |
| Varnville | 2,571 | $55,714 | $115,800 | 23.3% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
Arkwright is a small community located in South Carolina, within Spartanburg County. The total population is 2,816. It ranks as the 158th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Arkwright is 26.8 years. This is 33% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 31.0% of the population under 18, Arkwright has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Arkwright is $53,519. This is 23% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.6%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 11.1%. This is 127% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $164,100. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 49.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Arkwright is Black or African American, making up 48.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 24.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (24.3%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (48.7% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (21.2% vs 7.4%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
9.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Arkwright, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Arkwright, South Carolina?
Arkwright, South Carolina has a population of 2,816 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Arkwright, SC?
The median household income in Arkwright is $53,519, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Arkwright, SC?
The poverty rate in Arkwright is 23.6%. This means approximately 664 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Arkwright, South Carolina?
Arkwright's population is 24.3% White, 48.7% Black, 21.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Arkwright, SC?
The median home value in Arkwright is $164,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Arkwright, South Carolina?
9.2% of adults (25+) in Arkwright hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.