Irwin, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Irwin, South Carolina had a total population of 1,919, the 204th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $55,885, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.1%.
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 (26.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.7% is notably above the national average.
Irwin Quick Facts
How Irwin 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 | 1,801 | 1,919 | +6.6% |
| Median household income | $53,795 | $55,885 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $169,100 | $176,900 | +4.6% |
How Irwin 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+)
Irwin Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 8,921 | $46,311 | 21.2% | $239,100 |
| Elgin | 2,360 | $77,994 | 2.9% | $191,700 |
| Kershaw | 2,259 | $68,693 | 15.0% | $168,200 |
| Springdale | 2,198 | $41,398 | 30.0% | $114,700 |
| Heath Springs | 955 | $52,569 | 16.0% | $109,100 |
| Van Wyck | 951 | $38,250 | 5.4% | $279,200 |
| Buford | 346 | $81,583 | 2.9% | $210,700 |
| Unity | 244 | $48,194 | 3.3% | $193,100 |
| Tradesville | 174 | $59,625 | 5.2% | $172,500 |
Cities Similar to Irwin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arial | 1,919 | $54,286 | $181,300 | 15.3% | 7.9% |
| Tigerville | 1,880 | N/A | N/A | 65.3% | 13.4% |
| Watts Mills | 1,942 | $50,901 | $108,300 | 2.9% | 8.7% |
| Hopkins | 1,985 | $50,063 | $99,300 | 15.8% | 25.7% |
| Gaston | 1,803 | $60,000 | $120,000 | 11.3% | 18.0% |
Population Overview
Irwin is a small community located in South Carolina, within Lancaster County. The total population is 1,919. It ranks as the 204th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Irwin is 32.0 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. 11.6% 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 Irwin is $55,885. This is 19% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.1%. This is 86% 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 10.7%. This is 118% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $176,900. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 95.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Irwin is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 45.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.2% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 81.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Irwin, 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 Irwin, South Carolina?
Irwin, South Carolina has a population of 1,919 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Irwin, SC?
The median household income in Irwin is $55,885, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Irwin, SC?
The poverty rate in Irwin is 26.1%. This means approximately 488 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Irwin, South Carolina?
Irwin's population is 48.8% White, 45.2% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Irwin, SC?
The median home value in Irwin is $176,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Irwin, South Carolina?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Irwin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.