Kershaw, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kershaw, South Carolina had a total population of 2,259, the 182nd largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $68,693, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 15.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Kershaw Quick Facts
How Kershaw 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 | 2,220 | 2,259 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $58,077 | $68,693 | +18.3% |
| Median home value | $145,800 | $168,200 | +15.4% |
How Kershaw 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+)
Kershaw 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 |
| Springdale | 2,198 | $41,398 | 30.0% | $114,700 |
| Irwin | 1,919 | $55,885 | 26.1% | $176,900 |
| 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 Kershaw
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayo | 2,305 | $64,050 | $224,700 | 17.7% | 10.9% |
| Elgin | 2,360 | $77,994 | $191,700 | 23.0% | 2.9% |
| Stateburg | 2,027 | $66,481 | $206,700 | 34.7% | 11.2% |
| South Congaree | 2,075 | $59,539 | $192,500 | 20.4% | 14.6% |
| Tigerville | 1,880 | N/A | N/A | 65.3% | 13.4% |
Population Overview
Kershaw is a small community located in South Carolina, within Lancaster County. The total population is 2,259. It ranks as the 182nd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kershaw is 36.2 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 29.2% of the population under 18, Kershaw has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kershaw is $68,693. This is about the same as the state median of $69,324. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $168,200. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Kershaw is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kershaw is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
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 89.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kershaw, 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 Kershaw, South Carolina?
Kershaw, South Carolina has a population of 2,259 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kershaw, SC?
The median household income in Kershaw is $68,693, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kershaw, SC?
The poverty rate in Kershaw is 15.0%. This means approximately 339 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kershaw, South Carolina?
Kershaw's population is 66.5% White, 17.8% Black, 2.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kershaw, SC?
The median home value in Kershaw is $168,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Kershaw, South Carolina?
16.6% of adults (25+) in Kershaw hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.