Lakewood, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lakewood, South Carolina had a total population of 3,544, the 132nd largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $56,500, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Lakewood Quick Facts
How Lakewood 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 | 3,154 | 3,544 | +12.4% |
| Median household income | $49,255 | $56,500 | +14.7% |
| Median home value | $260,900 | $294,200 | +12.8% |
How Lakewood 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+)
Lakewood Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Sumter County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumter | 43,053 | $55,592 | 16.7% | $199,100 |
| Dalzell | 2,946 | $47,354 | 15.3% | $157,500 |
| Cherryvale | 2,611 | $40,428 | 23.0% | $90,500 |
| Privateer | 2,472 | $49,191 | 20.5% | $121,100 |
| Stateburg | 2,027 | $66,481 | 11.2% | $206,700 |
| Wedgefield | 1,968 | $44,410 | 9.6% | $26,500 |
| South Sumter | 1,626 | $46,406 | 29.8% | $69,900 |
| Cane Savannah | 1,551 | $131,705 | 4.6% | $265,500 |
| Oakland | 1,060 | $68,778 | 22.8% | $123,200 |
| East Sumter | 943 | N/A | 19.7% | $72,900 |
Cities Similar to Lakewood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellford | 3,515 | $57,338 | $223,000 | 13.4% | 16.2% |
| Andrews | 3,485 | $57,247 | $116,400 | 10.1% | 27.2% |
| Arcadia | 3,426 | $55,218 | $116,800 | 18.6% | 21.3% |
| Wyboo | 3,639 | $59,074 | $253,000 | 17.5% | 15.1% |
| Pendleton | 3,594 | $61,901 | $250,500 | 50.0% | 21.8% |
Population Overview
Lakewood is a small community located in South Carolina, within Sumter County. The total population is 3,544. It ranks as the 132nd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lakewood is 43.0 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lakewood is $56,500. This is 18% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 42% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 7.8%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $294,200. Housing costs are 14% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 70.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lakewood is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 35.2%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 89.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, South Carolina?
Lakewood, South Carolina has a population of 3,544 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lakewood, SC?
The median household income in Lakewood is $56,500, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lakewood, SC?
The poverty rate in Lakewood is 8.2%. This means approximately 290 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lakewood, South Carolina?
Lakewood's population is 48.6% White, 35.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lakewood, SC?
The median home value in Lakewood is $294,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Lakewood, South Carolina?
17.0% of adults (25+) in Lakewood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.