Fort Lawn, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Lawn, South Carolina had a total population of 1,388, the 235th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $60,288, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.9% is notably above the national average.
Fort Lawn Quick Facts
How Fort Lawn 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 | 1,144 | 1,388 | +21.3% |
| Median household income | $54,141 | $60,288 | +11.4% |
| Median home value | $189,000 | $185,300 | -2.0% |
How Fort Lawn 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+)
Fort Lawn Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Chester County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 5,218 | $46,138 | 19.4% | $123,000 |
| Eureka Mill | 1,813 | $36,486 | 40.5% | $180,300 |
| Great Falls | 1,690 | $30,458 | 31.1% | $60,400 |
| Gayle Mill | 974 | $41,274 | 27.4% | $31,200 |
| Richburg | 397 | N/A | 41.8% | $179,800 |
| Lowrys | 303 | $80,781 | 8.9% | $197,500 |
Cities Similar to Fort Lawn
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prosperity | 1,318 | $62,958 | $152,200 | 16.6% | 10.1% |
| Utica | 1,339 | $55,179 | $145,400 | 10.8% | 26.8% |
| St. Stephen | 1,462 | $65,370 | $100,000 | 15.5% | 16.5% |
| Bonneau Beach | 1,516 | $60,865 | $253,800 | 13.6% | 13.7% |
| Gadsden | 1,443 | $52,966 | $112,900 | 16.6% | 29.0% |
Population Overview
Fort Lawn is a small community located in South Carolina, within Chester County. The total population is 1,388. It ranks as the 235th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Lawn is 30.4 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 36.2% of the population under 18, Fort Lawn has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Lawn is $60,288. This is 13% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 10.9%. This is 122% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $185,300. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 70.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fort Lawn is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 41.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.3% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.5% vs 7.4%).
Education
15.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 75.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Lawn, 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 Fort Lawn, South Carolina?
Fort Lawn, South Carolina has a population of 1,388 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Lawn, SC?
The median household income in Fort Lawn is $60,288, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Lawn, SC?
The poverty rate in Fort Lawn is 13.2%. This means approximately 183 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Lawn, South Carolina?
Fort Lawn's population is 42.1% White, 41.3% Black, 12.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Lawn, SC?
The median home value in Fort Lawn is $185,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Fort Lawn, South Carolina?
15.7% of adults (25+) in Fort Lawn hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.