Cowpens, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cowpens, South Carolina had a total population of 1,840, the 209th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $39,094, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Cowpens Quick Facts
How Cowpens 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 | 2,031 | 1,840 | -9.4% |
| Median household income | $37,168 | $39,094 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $152,700 | $160,300 | +5.0% |
How Cowpens 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+)
Cowpens Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Spartanburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg | 38,910 | $51,964 | 23.8% | $203,700 |
| Boiling Springs | 12,936 | $72,068 | 9.9% | $244,400 |
| Valley Falls | 8,239 | $55,661 | 22.2% | $256,600 |
| Lyman | 6,547 | $75,653 | 6.1% | $277,600 |
| Woodruff | 4,538 | $70,959 | 14.2% | $204,800 |
| Duncan | 4,310 | $52,500 | 12.4% | $211,400 |
| Saxon | 4,085 | $32,292 | 45.8% | $90,000 |
| Southern Shops | 3,797 | $37,754 | 43.3% | $109,600 |
| Whitney | 3,685 | $51,275 | 17.6% | $157,400 |
| Wellford | 3,515 | $57,338 | 16.2% | $223,000 |
Cities Similar to Cowpens
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monarch Mill | 1,822 | $39,350 | $82,600 | 6.0% | 21.0% |
| Tigerville | 1,880 | N/A | N/A | 65.3% | 13.4% |
| Jackson | 1,870 | $39,634 | $199,800 | 16.1% | 11.1% |
| Eureka Mill | 1,813 | $36,486 | $180,300 | 9.1% | 40.5% |
| Estill | 1,886 | $36,111 | $94,100 | 5.5% | 24.4% |
Population Overview
Cowpens is a small community located in South Carolina, within Spartanburg County. The total population is 1,840. It ranks as the 209th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cowpens is 54.3 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 13.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cowpens is $39,094. This is 44% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.1%. This is 107% 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 1.9%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $160,300. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 68.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cowpens is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.8% vs 7.4%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
15.1% 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 91.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cowpens, 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 Cowpens, South Carolina?
Cowpens, South Carolina has a population of 1,840 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cowpens, SC?
The median household income in Cowpens is $39,094, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cowpens, SC?
The poverty rate in Cowpens is 29.1%. This means approximately 529 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cowpens, South Carolina?
Cowpens's population is 71.0% White, 12.3% Black, 12.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cowpens, SC?
The median home value in Cowpens is $160,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Cowpens, South Carolina?
15.1% of adults (25+) in Cowpens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.