Elgin, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elgin, South Carolina had a total population of 2,080, the 191st largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $91,667, which is 32% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in South Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.2% — among the lowest in South Carolina.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Elgin Quick Facts
How Elgin 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 | 2,176 | 2,080 | -4.4% |
| Median household income | $84,219 | $91,667 | +8.8% |
| Median home value | $204,300 | $217,400 | +6.4% |
How Elgin 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+)
Elgin Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Kershaw County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lugoff | 9,786 | $69,485 | 8.1% | $223,900 |
| Camden | 8,267 | $63,576 | 13.2% | $265,300 |
| East Camden | 4,194 | $53,715 | 20.5% | $183,100 |
| Bethune | 438 | $44,000 | 34.0% | $106,800 |
| Abney Crossroads | 208 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Boykin | 122 | $136,576 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Elgin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigerville | 1,880 | N/A | N/A | 65.3% | 13.4% |
| Stateburg | 2,027 | $66,481 | $206,700 | 34.7% | 11.2% |
| Reidville | 2,194 | $120,700 | $331,000 | 35.0% | 3.3% |
| Elgin | 2,360 | $77,994 | $191,700 | 23.0% | 2.9% |
| Riverview | 2,121 | $135,782 | $458,000 | 25.8% | 4.8% |
Population Overview
Elgin is a small community located in South Carolina, within Kershaw County. The total population is 2,080. It ranks as the 191st most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elgin is 35.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 29.2% of the population under 18, Elgin has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elgin is $91,667. This is 32% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.2%. This is 70% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $217,400. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Elgin is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 93.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elgin is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.5%.
Education
27.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 93.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elgin, 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 Elgin, South Carolina?
Elgin, South Carolina has a population of 2,080 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elgin, SC?
The median household income in Elgin is $91,667, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elgin, SC?
The poverty rate in Elgin is 4.2%. This means approximately 87 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elgin, South Carolina?
Elgin's population is 73.6% White, 16.5% Black, 6.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elgin, SC?
The median home value in Elgin is $217,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Elgin, South Carolina?
27.1% of adults (25+) in Elgin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.