Gaffney, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gaffney, South Carolina had a total population of 12,596, the 51st largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $41,089, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.5% is notably above the national average.
Gaffney Quick Facts
How 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 | 12,612 | 12,596 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $41,214 | $41,089 | -0.3% |
| Median home value | $141,100 | $137,700 | -2.4% |
How 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gaffney Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Cherokee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Gaffney | 2,824 | $25,227 | 33.8% | $77,600 |
| Blacksburg | 2,063 | $32,092 | 31.4% | $157,400 |
| Cherokee Falls | 36 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Gaffney
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parker | 12,898 | $40,043 | $150,400 | 15.9% | 29.6% |
| Orangeburg | 13,253 | $38,635 | $163,500 | 26.3% | 32.6% |
| Garden City | 11,591 | $47,249 | $217,400 | 22.2% | 17.7% |
| Dentsville | 15,209 | $45,473 | $163,700 | 19.8% | 15.7% |
| Newberry | 10,790 | $51,260 | $142,400 | 19.7% | 31.5% |
Population Overview
Gaffney is a small city located in South Carolina, within Cherokee County. The total population is 12,596. It ranks as the 51st most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gaffney is 31.9 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gaffney is $41,089. This is 41% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.1%. This is 107% 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 10.5%. This is 116% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $137,700. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 50.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gaffney 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 40.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (40.6% vs 24.6%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
23.1% 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 84.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for 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.
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 Gaffney, South Carolina?
Gaffney, South Carolina has a population of 12,596 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gaffney, SC?
The median household income in Gaffney is $41,089, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gaffney, SC?
The poverty rate in Gaffney is 29.1%. This means approximately 3,351 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gaffney, South Carolina?
Gaffney's population is 41.2% White, 40.6% Black, 8.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gaffney, SC?
The median home value in Gaffney is $137,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Gaffney, South Carolina?
23.1% of adults (25+) in Gaffney hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.