Lancaster city, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Lancaster city, South Carolina has a total population of 8,738, the 69th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $43,234, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 14.1% is notably above the national average.
Lancaster city Quick Facts
How Lancaster city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 54 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lancaster city Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Lancaster city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York city | 8,697 | $47,315 | $161,000 | 15.9% | 16.1% |
| Sans Souci CDP | 8,199 | $46,276 | $199,100 | 26.0% | 12.9% |
| Seneca city | 8,910 | $52,207 | $223,100 | 29.2% | 18.8% |
| Travelers Rest city | 8,137 | $49,655 | $281,400 | 45.4% | 22.5% |
| Clinton city | 7,624 | $40,372 | $154,700 | 29.6% | 26.5% |
Population Overview
Lancaster city is a small city located in South Carolina. The total population is 8,738. It ranks as the 69th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lancaster city is 38.2 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lancaster city is $43,234. This is 35% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.5%. This is 94% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. 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 14.1%. This is 185% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $226,300. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 44.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 71.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lancaster city is Black or African American, making up 46.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (46.1% vs 25.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.3% vs 7.1%).
Education
17.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lancaster city, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in South Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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 Lancaster city, South Carolina?
Lancaster city, South Carolina has a population of 8,738 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lancaster city, SC?
The median household income in Lancaster city is $43,234, which is 45% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Lancaster city, SC?
The poverty rate in Lancaster city is 27.5%. This means approximately 2,383 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lancaster city, South Carolina?
Lancaster city's population is 35.7% White, 46.1% Black, 14.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lancaster city, SC?
The median home value in Lancaster city is $226,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Lancaster city, South Carolina?
17.3% of adults (25+) in Lancaster city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.