Cheraw, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cheraw, South Carolina had a total population of 4,960, the 103rd largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $26,689, which is 62% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 62% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.8% is notably above the national average.
Cheraw Quick Facts
How Cheraw 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 | 5,024 | 4,960 | -1.3% |
| Median household income | $27,275 | $26,689 | -2.1% |
| Median home value | $113,400 | $152,200 | +34.2% |
How Cheraw 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+)
Cheraw Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Chesterfield County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pageland | 2,489 | $42,679 | 20.0% | $186,600 |
| Chesterfield | 1,465 | $44,526 | 28.3% | $184,200 |
| McBee | 818 | $63,125 | 10.1% | $89,300 |
| Cash | 754 | $97,115 | 14.1% | $96,500 |
| Jefferson | 737 | $40,625 | 21.4% | $154,400 |
| Patrick | 331 | $34,773 | 30.5% | $51,900 |
| Ruby | 244 | $75,313 | 13.9% | $114,400 |
| Mount Croghan | 170 | $68,594 | 15.9% | $116,700 |
Cities Similar to Cheraw
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | 4,872 | $40,575 | $106,400 | 17.4% | 27.3% |
| Manning | 3,863 | $28,569 | $157,600 | 17.4% | 17.7% |
| Saxon | 4,085 | $32,292 | $90,000 | 13.9% | 45.8% |
| Marion | 6,206 | $30,662 | $137,300 | 19.8% | 26.8% |
| Lake City | 5,988 | $33,600 | $144,300 | 19.6% | 25.7% |
Population Overview
Cheraw is a small community located in South Carolina, within Chesterfield County. The total population is 4,960. It ranks as the 103rd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cheraw is 44.6 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cheraw is $26,689. This is 62% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 67% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.0%. This is 163% 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 11.8%. This is 141% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $152,200. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x. 47.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cheraw is Black or African American, making up 54.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (54.5% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 Cheraw, 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.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cheraw, South Carolina?
Cheraw, South Carolina has a population of 4,960 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cheraw, SC?
The median household income in Cheraw is $26,689, which is 67% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cheraw, SC?
The poverty rate in Cheraw is 37.0%. This means approximately 1,749 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cheraw, South Carolina?
Cheraw's population is 38.9% White, 54.5% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cheraw, SC?
The median home value in Cheraw is $152,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x.
How educated is Cheraw, South Carolina?
20.3% of adults (25+) in Cheraw hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.