Gadsden, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gadsden, South Carolina had a total population of 1,443, the 232nd largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $52,966, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.0%.
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 (29.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 15.2% is notably above the national average.
Gadsden Quick Facts
How Gadsden 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 | 1,131 | 1,443 | +27.6% |
| Median household income | $54,464 | $52,966 | -2.8% |
| Median home value | $98,300 | $112,900 | +14.9% |
How Gadsden 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+)
Gadsden Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Richland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 139,643 | $55,529 | 24.0% | $264,300 |
| St. Andrews | 19,868 | $46,511 | 25.4% | $161,300 |
| Dentsville | 15,209 | $45,473 | 15.7% | $163,700 |
| Cayce | 13,741 | $62,045 | 13.7% | $166,800 |
| Irmo | 11,813 | $80,489 | 9.2% | $203,400 |
| Forest Acres | 10,530 | $78,306 | 8.2% | $279,300 |
| Woodfield | 9,465 | $45,526 | 19.8% | $150,800 |
| Lake Murray of Richland | 7,023 | $119,107 | 2.0% | $422,100 |
| Blythewood | 5,731 | $94,167 | 4.8% | $384,600 |
| Capitol View | 4,374 | $46,645 | 10.6% | $187,600 |
Cities Similar to Gadsden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latta | 1,455 | $47,985 | $108,500 | 27.9% | 22.4% |
| Utica | 1,339 | $55,179 | $145,400 | 10.8% | 26.8% |
| West Pelzer | 1,320 | $53,750 | $172,500 | 20.1% | 17.8% |
| Chesterfield | 1,465 | $44,526 | $184,200 | 18.4% | 28.3% |
| Langley | 1,310 | $53,646 | $99,100 | 13.0% | 27.9% |
Population Overview
Gadsden is a small community located in South Carolina, within Richland County. The total population is 1,443. It ranks as the 232nd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gadsden is 42.5 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 10.5% 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 Gadsden is $52,966. This is 24% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.0%. This is 106% 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 15.2%. This is 212% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $112,900. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Gadsden is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 89.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gadsden has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 89.2% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 7.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.9%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (89.2% vs 24.6%).
Education
16.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 84.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gadsden, 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 Gadsden, South Carolina?
Gadsden, South Carolina has a population of 1,443 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gadsden, SC?
The median household income in Gadsden is $52,966, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gadsden, SC?
The poverty rate in Gadsden is 29.0%. This means approximately 418 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gadsden, South Carolina?
Gadsden's population is 7.9% White, 89.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gadsden, SC?
The median home value in Gadsden is $112,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Gadsden, South Carolina?
16.6% of adults (25+) in Gadsden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.