Drayton, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Drayton, South Carolina had a total population of 1,452, the 231st largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $77,813, which is 12% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Drayton Quick Facts
How Drayton 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 | 1,043 | 1,452 | +39.2% |
| Median household income | $51,650 | $77,813 | +50.7% |
| Median home value | $82,500 | $131,300 | +59.2% |
How Drayton 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+)
Drayton 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 Drayton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Point | 1,439 | $81,630 | $293,300 | 27.2% | 3.1% |
| Chapin | 1,394 | $79,922 | $221,000 | 34.7% | 7.5% |
| St. Stephen | 1,462 | $65,370 | $100,000 | 15.5% | 16.5% |
| Bonneau Beach | 1,516 | $60,865 | $253,800 | 13.6% | 13.7% |
| Fort Lawn | 1,388 | $60,288 | $185,300 | 15.7% | 13.2% |
Population Overview
Drayton is a small community located in South Carolina, within Spartanburg County. The total population is 1,452. It ranks as the 231st most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Drayton is 30.3 years. This is 25% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Drayton is $77,813. This is 12% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 4% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.1%. This is 92% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Drayton, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $131,300. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Drayton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Drayton is Black or African American, making up 50.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.3% vs 24.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.9% vs 1.8%).
Education
8.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 85.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Drayton, 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 Drayton, South Carolina?
Drayton, South Carolina has a population of 1,452 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Drayton, SC?
The median household income in Drayton is $77,813, which is 4% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Drayton, SC?
The poverty rate in Drayton is 27.1%. This means approximately 379 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Drayton, South Carolina?
Drayton's population is 38.4% White, 50.3% Black, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Drayton, SC?
The median home value in Drayton is $131,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Drayton, South Carolina?
8.2% of adults (25+) in Drayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.