Great Falls, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Great Falls, South Carolina had a total population of 1,690, the 220th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $30,458, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.7% 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 2.0x.
Great Falls Quick Facts
How Great Falls 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 | 1,741 | 1,690 | -2.9% |
| Median household income | $30,475 | $30,458 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $59,400 | $60,400 | +1.7% |
How Great Falls 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+)
Great Falls 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 |
| Fort Lawn | 1,388 | $60,288 | 13.2% | $185,300 |
| 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 Great Falls
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigerville | 1,880 | N/A | N/A | 65.3% | 13.4% |
| Beech Island | 1,578 | $36,027 | $116,800 | 14.4% | 34.3% |
| Eureka Mill | 1,813 | $36,486 | $180,300 | 9.1% | 40.5% |
| Winnsboro Mills | 1,535 | $34,708 | $99,100 | 2.6% | 38.8% |
| Estill | 1,886 | $36,111 | $94,100 | 5.5% | 24.4% |
Population Overview
Great Falls is a small community located in South Carolina, within Chester County. The total population is 1,690. It ranks as the 220th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Great Falls is 41.3 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 10.8% 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 Great Falls is $30,458. This is 56% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 62% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.1%. This is 121% 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 3.6%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $60,400. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Great Falls is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Great Falls is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 25.4%.
Education
9.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 84.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, South Carolina?
Great Falls, South Carolina has a population of 1,690 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Great Falls, SC?
The median household income in Great Falls is $30,458, which is 62% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Great Falls, SC?
The poverty rate in Great Falls is 31.1%. This means approximately 526 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Great Falls, South Carolina?
Great Falls's population is 60.4% White, 25.4% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Great Falls, SC?
The median home value in Great Falls is $60,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Great Falls, South Carolina?
9.7% of adults (25+) in Great Falls hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.