Elgin, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elgin, South Carolina had a total population of 2,360, the 179th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $77,994, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.9% — among the lowest in South Carolina.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
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 | 2,258 | 2,360 | +4.5% |
| Median household income | $74,167 | $77,994 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $177,700 | $191,700 | +7.9% |
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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elgin Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 8,921 | $46,311 | 21.2% | $239,100 |
| Kershaw | 2,259 | $68,693 | 15.0% | $168,200 |
| Springdale | 2,198 | $41,398 | 30.0% | $114,700 |
| Irwin | 1,919 | $55,885 | 26.1% | $176,900 |
| Heath Springs | 955 | $52,569 | 16.0% | $109,100 |
| Van Wyck | 951 | $38,250 | 5.4% | $279,200 |
| Buford | 346 | $81,583 | 2.9% | $210,700 |
| Unity | 244 | $48,194 | 3.3% | $193,100 |
| Tradesville | 174 | $59,625 | 5.2% | $172,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kershaw | 2,259 | $68,693 | $168,200 | 16.6% | 15.0% |
| Mayo | 2,305 | $64,050 | $224,700 | 17.7% | 10.9% |
| Ravenel | 2,615 | $82,738 | $238,700 | 26.9% | 19.0% |
| Springdale | 2,742 | $77,722 | $221,700 | 26.9% | 5.8% |
| Pine Ridge | 2,596 | $95,000 | $227,900 | 30.8% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Elgin is a small community located in South Carolina, within Lancaster County. The total population is 2,360. It ranks as the 179th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elgin is 54.1 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 15.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elgin is $77,994. This is 13% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.9%. This is 80% 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 1.0%. This is 80% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $191,700. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Elgin is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elgin has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.5% vs 61.9%). The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 24.6%.
Education
23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 78.2%.
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 2,360 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 $77,994, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elgin, SC?
The poverty rate in Elgin is 2.9%. This means approximately 67 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elgin, South Carolina?
Elgin's population is 96.5% White, 1.7% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elgin, SC?
The median home value in Elgin is $191,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Elgin, South Carolina?
23.0% of adults (25+) in Elgin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.