Catawba, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Catawba, South Carolina had a total population of 1,071, the 262nd largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $59,632, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 13.8% is notably above the national average.
Catawba Quick Facts
How Catawba 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 | 1,225 | 1,071 | -12.6% |
| Median household income | $55,385 | $59,632 | +7.7% |
| Median home value | $198,100 | $216,200 | +9.1% |
How Catawba 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+)
Catawba Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in York County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hill | 75,259 | $68,771 | 12.6% | $295,100 |
| Fort Mill | 30,775 | $121,823 | 4.8% | $487,500 |
| Lake Wylie | 16,006 | $112,097 | 9.1% | $485,600 |
| Tega Cay | 13,615 | $142,000 | 1.5% | $529,200 |
| York | 8,969 | $56,176 | 15.9% | $198,600 |
| Clover | 7,234 | $85,450 | 8.3% | $295,700 |
| Baxter Village | 4,542 | $151,629 | 9.2% | $670,500 |
| Newport | 4,121 | $110,417 | 14.1% | $342,000 |
| India Hook | 3,960 | $106,667 | 1.2% | $348,300 |
| Lesslie | 3,077 | $100,618 | 3.3% | $258,400 |
Cities Similar to Catawba
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamer | 1,042 | $64,300 | $163,000 | 22.3% | 16.2% |
| Oakland | 1,060 | $68,778 | $123,200 | 28.7% | 22.8% |
| Warrenville | 1,042 | $53,418 | $75,500 | 14.4% | 6.0% |
| Pelion | 985 | $59,455 | $156,700 | 27.6% | 12.9% |
| Sandy Springs | 1,105 | $70,833 | $309,700 | 22.8% | 32.7% |
Population Overview
Catawba is a small community located in South Carolina, within York County. The total population is 1,071. It ranks as the 262nd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Catawba is 35.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 33.2% of the population under 18, Catawba has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Catawba is $59,632. This is 14% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 13.8%. This is 182% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $216,200. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 62.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Catawba has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 10.5%. The Black or African American population (10.5%) is well below the state average of 24.6%.
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Catawba, 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 Catawba, South Carolina?
Catawba, South Carolina has a population of 1,071 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Catawba, SC?
The median household income in Catawba is $59,632, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Catawba, SC?
The poverty rate in Catawba is 11.5%. This means approximately 123 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Catawba, South Carolina?
Catawba's population is 85.1% White, 10.5% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Catawba, SC?
The median home value in Catawba is $216,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Catawba, South Carolina?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Catawba hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.