Coward, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Coward, South Carolina had a total population of 853, the 284th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $35,375, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Coward Quick Facts
How Coward 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 | 668 | 853 | +27.7% |
| Median household income | $36,250 | $35,375 | -2.4% |
| Median home value | $104,200 | $154,700 | +48.5% |
How Coward 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+)
Coward Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Florence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | 40,408 | $56,143 | 18.9% | $211,400 |
| Lake City | 5,988 | $33,600 | 25.7% | $144,300 |
| Timmonsville | 2,045 | $34,630 | 31.3% | $104,300 |
| Johnsonville | 1,251 | $44,830 | 20.9% | $167,100 |
| Pamplico | 1,134 | $34,545 | 31.7% | $142,500 |
| Quinby | 858 | $66,458 | 16.6% | $164,800 |
| Olanta | 806 | $54,464 | 15.3% | $115,000 |
| Scranton | 733 | $27,344 | 33.9% | $102,300 |
| Danwood | 392 | $100,278 | 14.5% | $168,200 |
Cities Similar to Coward
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cateechee | 850 | N/A | $171,900 | 9.1% | 1.8% |
| Clio | 840 | $36,359 | $106,600 | 10.5% | 29.2% |
| Ridge Spring | 842 | $39,167 | $69,600 | 25.9% | 24.8% |
| Chesnee | 896 | $37,708 | $103,700 | 9.4% | 32.4% |
| East Sumter | 943 | N/A | $72,900 | 9.8% | 19.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 853, Coward'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
Coward is a small community located in South Carolina, within Florence County. The total population is 853. It ranks as the 284th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Coward is 38.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Coward is $35,375. This is 49% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.4%. This is 144% 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 8.6%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $154,700. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 63.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Coward is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 38.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (38.5% vs 24.6%).
Education
15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 64.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Coward, 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 Coward, South Carolina?
Coward, South Carolina has a population of 853 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Coward, SC?
The median household income in Coward is $35,375, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Coward, SC?
The poverty rate in Coward is 34.4%. This means approximately 293 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Coward, South Carolina?
Coward's population is 55.1% White, 38.5% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Coward, SC?
The median home value in Coward is $154,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Coward, South Carolina?
15.0% of adults (25+) in Coward hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.