Gayle Mill, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gayle Mill, South Carolina had a total population of 974, the 270th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $41,274, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 3.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x.
Gayle Mill Quick Facts
How Gayle Mill 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 | 1,119 | 974 | -13.0% |
| Median home value | $26,800 | $31,200 | +16.4% |
How Gayle Mill 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+)
Gayle Mill 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 |
| Fort Lawn | 1,388 | $60,288 | 13.2% | $185,300 |
| Richburg | 397 | N/A | 41.8% | $179,800 |
| Lowrys | 303 | $80,781 | 8.9% | $197,500 |
Cities Similar to Gayle Mill
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newtown | 972 | $42,857 | $60,600 | 28.1% | 33.3% |
| East Sumter | 943 | N/A | $72,900 | 9.8% | 19.7% |
| Van Wyck | 951 | $38,250 | $279,200 | 13.1% | 5.4% |
| Lincolnville | 1,064 | $40,417 | $245,100 | 14.6% | 23.5% |
| Chesnee | 896 | $37,708 | $103,700 | 9.4% | 32.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 974, Gayle Mill's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Gayle Mill is a small community located in South Carolina, within Chester County. The total population is 974. It ranks as the 270th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gayle Mill is 36.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gayle Mill is $41,274. This is 40% 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 27.4%. This is 95% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Gayle Mill, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $31,200. Housing costs are 88% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x, Gayle Mill is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 43.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gayle Mill is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 35.1%.
Education
3.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 89% 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 66.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gayle Mill, 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 Gayle Mill, South Carolina?
Gayle Mill, South Carolina has a population of 974 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gayle Mill, SC?
The median household income in Gayle Mill is $41,274, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gayle Mill, SC?
The poverty rate in Gayle Mill is 27.4%. This means approximately 267 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gayle Mill, South Carolina?
Gayle Mill's population is 60.0% White, 35.1% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gayle Mill, SC?
The median home value in Gayle Mill is $31,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.8x.
How educated is Gayle Mill, South Carolina?
3.5% of adults (25+) in Gayle Mill hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.