East Gaffney, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Gaffney, South Carolina had a total population of 2,824, the 157th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $25,227, which is 64% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 64% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
East Gaffney Quick Facts
How East Gaffney 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 | 3,169 | 2,824 | -10.9% |
| Median household income | $26,314 | $25,227 | -4.1% |
| Median home value | $78,900 | $77,600 | -1.6% |
How East Gaffney 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+)
East Gaffney Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Cherokee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaffney | 12,596 | $41,089 | 29.1% | $137,700 |
| Blacksburg | 2,063 | $32,092 | 31.4% | $157,400 |
| Cherokee Falls | 36 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to East Gaffney
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allendale | 2,653 | $23,529 | $86,500 | 20.1% | 45.1% |
| Kingstree | 3,132 | $26,322 | $177,000 | 18.9% | 33.9% |
| Denmark | 3,117 | $27,451 | $63,900 | 18.1% | 35.1% |
| Arthurtown | 3,272 | $21,046 | $120,100 | 11.7% | 63.2% |
| Williston | 2,870 | $39,484 | $105,100 | 18.6% | 30.5% |
Population Overview
East Gaffney is a small community located in South Carolina, within Cherokee County. The total population is 2,824. It ranks as the 157th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Gaffney is 46.1 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Gaffney is $25,227. This is 64% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 69% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.8%. This is 140% 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 2.8%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $77,600. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 78.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in East Gaffney is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 32.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
10.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 84.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Gaffney, 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 East Gaffney, South Carolina?
East Gaffney, South Carolina has a population of 2,824 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Gaffney, SC?
The median household income in East Gaffney is $25,227, which is 69% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Gaffney, SC?
The poverty rate in East Gaffney is 33.8%. This means approximately 955 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Gaffney, South Carolina?
East Gaffney's population is 62.3% White, 32.9% Black, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Gaffney, SC?
The median home value in East Gaffney is $77,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is East Gaffney, South Carolina?
10.5% of adults (25+) in East Gaffney hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.