Chester, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chester, South Carolina had a total population of 5,218, the 101st largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $46,138, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Chester Quick Facts
How Chester 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 | 5,241 | 5,218 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $41,231 | $46,138 | +11.9% |
| Median home value | $106,400 | $123,000 | +15.6% |
How Chester 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chester Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Chester County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka Mill | 1,813 | $36,486 | 40.5% | $180,300 |
| Great Falls | 1,690 | $30,458 | 31.1% | $60,400 |
| Fort Lawn | 1,388 | $60,288 | 13.2% | $185,300 |
| Gayle Mill | 974 | $41,274 | 27.4% | $31,200 |
| Richburg | 397 | N/A | 41.8% | $179,800 |
| Lowrys | 303 | $80,781 | 8.9% | $197,500 |
Cities Similar to Chester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belvedere | 5,180 | $53,021 | $143,500 | 22.4% | 16.8% |
| Batesburg-Leesville | 4,941 | $49,646 | $135,100 | 12.3% | 15.1% |
| Piedmont | 5,462 | $52,764 | $161,900 | 18.6% | 25.4% |
| Abbeville | 4,872 | $40,575 | $106,400 | 17.4% | 27.3% |
| Walterboro | 5,480 | $56,457 | $183,500 | 25.0% | 28.2% |
Population Overview
Chester is a small city located in South Carolina, within Chester County. The total population is 5,218. It ranks as the 101st most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chester is 38.8 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chester is $46,138. This is 33% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.4%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 7.6%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $123,000. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Chester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chester is Black or African American, making up 62.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 31.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (62.3% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
14.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 81.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chester, 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 Chester, South Carolina?
Chester, South Carolina has a population of 5,218 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chester, SC?
The median household income in Chester is $46,138, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chester, SC?
The poverty rate in Chester is 19.4%. This means approximately 1,001 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chester, South Carolina?
Chester's population is 31.6% White, 62.3% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chester, SC?
The median home value in Chester is $123,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Chester, South Carolina?
14.0% of adults (25+) in Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.