Buford, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buford, South Carolina had a total population of 346, the 368th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $81,583, which is 18% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.9% — among the lowest in South Carolina.
Buford Quick Facts
How Buford 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 | 283 | 346 | +22.3% |
| Median household income | $77,639 | $81,583 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $188,800 | $210,700 | +11.6% |
How Buford 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buford Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 8,921 | $46,311 | 21.2% | $239,100 |
| Elgin | 2,360 | $77,994 | 2.9% | $191,700 |
| Kershaw | 2,259 | $68,693 | 15.0% | $168,200 |
| Springdale | 2,198 | $41,398 | 30.0% | $114,700 |
| Irwin | 1,919 | $55,885 | 26.1% | $176,900 |
| Heath Springs | 955 | $52,569 | 16.0% | $109,100 |
| Van Wyck | 951 | $38,250 | 5.4% | $279,200 |
| Unity | 244 | $48,194 | 3.3% | $193,100 |
| Tradesville | 174 | $59,625 | 5.2% | $172,500 |
Cities Similar to Buford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grover | 345 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 51.2% |
| Finklea | 340 | N/A | $110,100 | 0.0% | 4.7% |
| Enoree | 370 | N/A | $95,500 | 3.2% | 19.5% |
| Gillisonville | 378 | N/A | N/A | 6.3% | 6.1% |
| Luray | 311 | N/A | $158,600 | 4.0% | 23.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 346, Buford's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Buford is a small community located in South Carolina, within Lancaster County. The total population is 346. It ranks as the 368th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buford is 37.1 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buford is $81,583. This is 18% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 1% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.9%. This is 79% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Buford, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $210,700. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Buford is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Buford was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
20.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 77.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buford, 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 Buford, South Carolina?
Buford, South Carolina has a population of 346 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buford, SC?
The median household income in Buford is $81,583, which is 1% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buford, SC?
The poverty rate in Buford is 2.9%. This means approximately 10 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buford, South Carolina?
Buford's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buford, SC?
The median home value in Buford is $210,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Buford, South Carolina?
20.7% of adults (25+) in Buford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.