Lake Wylie, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Wylie, South Carolina had a total population of 16,006, the 38th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $112,097, which is 62% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 62% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in South Carolina.
- 47.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Carolina.
Lake Wylie Quick Facts
How Lake Wylie 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 | 15,177 | 16,006 | +5.5% |
| Median household income | $112,113 | $112,097 | -0.0% |
| Median home value | $464,200 | $485,600 | +4.6% |
How Lake Wylie 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 Wylie Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in York County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hill | 75,259 | $68,771 | 12.6% | $295,100 |
| Fort Mill | 30,775 | $121,823 | 4.8% | $487,500 |
| Tega Cay | 13,615 | $142,000 | 1.5% | $529,200 |
| York | 8,969 | $56,176 | 15.9% | $198,600 |
| Clover | 7,234 | $85,450 | 8.3% | $295,700 |
| Baxter Village | 4,542 | $151,629 | 9.2% | $670,500 |
| Newport | 4,121 | $110,417 | 14.1% | $342,000 |
| India Hook | 3,960 | $106,667 | 1.2% | $348,300 |
| Lesslie | 3,077 | $100,618 | 3.3% | $258,400 |
| Riverview | 2,121 | $135,782 | 4.8% | $458,000 |
Cities Similar to Lake Wylie
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moncks Corner | 15,485 | $91,500 | $333,200 | 29.7% | 8.3% |
| Ladson | 16,140 | $78,760 | $234,900 | 19.8% | 12.3% |
| Port Royal | 15,579 | $74,870 | $347,200 | 38.4% | 8.4% |
| Red Hill | 15,920 | $68,250 | $249,500 | 21.8% | 19.1% |
| Five Forks | 18,656 | $141,786 | $452,200 | 65.6% | 2.5% |
Population Overview
Lake Wylie is a small city located in South Carolina, within York County. The total population is 16,006. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Wylie is 38.2 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Wylie is $112,097. This is 62% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 39% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.1%. This is 36% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $485,600. Housing costs are 87% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 80.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Wylie is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.2%. The Black or African American population (10.2%) is well below the state average of 24.6%.
Education
47.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lake Wylie in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 48% higher 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 97.7%. Notably, 17.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Wylie, 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 Lake Wylie, South Carolina?
Lake Wylie, South Carolina has a population of 16,006 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Wylie, SC?
The median household income in Lake Wylie is $112,097, which is 39% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Wylie, SC?
The poverty rate in Lake Wylie is 9.1%. This means approximately 1,449 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Wylie, South Carolina?
Lake Wylie's population is 74.5% White, 10.2% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Wylie, SC?
The median home value in Lake Wylie is $485,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Lake Wylie, South Carolina?
47.5% of adults (25+) in Lake Wylie hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.