Lake City, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake City, South Carolina had a total population of 5,988, the 94th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $33,600, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.7% is notably above the national average.
Lake City Quick Facts
How Lake City 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 | 6,032 | 5,988 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $35,000 | $33,600 | -4.0% |
| Median home value | $133,700 | $144,300 | +7.9% |
How Lake City 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+)
Lake City Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Florence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | 40,408 | $56,143 | 18.9% | $211,400 |
| Timmonsville | 2,045 | $34,630 | 31.3% | $104,300 |
| Johnsonville | 1,251 | $44,830 | 20.9% | $167,100 |
| Pamplico | 1,134 | $34,545 | 31.7% | $142,500 |
| Quinby | 858 | $66,458 | 16.6% | $164,800 |
| Coward | 853 | $35,375 | 34.4% | $154,700 |
| Olanta | 806 | $54,464 | 15.3% | $115,000 |
| Scranton | 733 | $27,344 | 33.9% | $102,300 |
| Danwood | 392 | $100,278 | 14.5% | $168,200 |
Cities Similar to Lake City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darlington | 6,120 | $33,952 | $172,300 | 19.4% | 30.2% |
| Marion | 6,206 | $30,662 | $137,300 | 19.8% | 26.8% |
| Dillon | 6,354 | $35,891 | $115,500 | 12.4% | 32.8% |
| Clemson University | 7,015 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 74.7% |
| Homeland Park | 6,632 | $40,218 | $103,700 | 9.2% | 36.2% |
Population Overview
Lake City is a small city located in South Carolina, within Florence County. The total population is 5,988. It ranks as the 94th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake City is 43.7 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake City is $33,600. This is 52% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 58% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 83% 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 9.7%. This is 98% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $144,300. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 43.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake City is Black or African American, making up 69.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 22.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (22.6%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (69.4% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
19.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 81.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake City, 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 Lake City, South Carolina?
Lake City, South Carolina has a population of 5,988 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake City, SC?
The median household income in Lake City is $33,600, which is 58% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake City, SC?
The poverty rate in Lake City is 25.7%. This means approximately 1,527 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake City, South Carolina?
Lake City's population is 22.6% White, 69.4% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake City, SC?
The median home value in Lake City is $144,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Lake City, South Carolina?
19.6% of adults (25+) in Lake City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.