Lancaster, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lancaster, South Carolina had a total population of 8,921, the 70th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $46,311, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.6% is notably above the national average.
Lancaster Quick Facts
How Lancaster 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 | 8,738 | 8,921 | +2.1% |
| Median household income | $43,234 | $46,311 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $226,300 | $239,100 | +5.7% |
How Lancaster 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+)
Lancaster Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elgin | 2,360 | $77,994 | 2.9% | $191,700 |
| Kershaw | 2,259 | $68,693 | 15.0% | $168,200 |
| 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 Lancaster
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca | 8,993 | $52,022 | $240,000 | 29.1% | 22.1% |
| Woodfield | 9,465 | $45,526 | $150,800 | 21.9% | 19.8% |
| Laurens | 9,336 | $49,246 | $180,700 | 13.9% | 25.4% |
| York | 8,969 | $56,176 | $198,600 | 18.6% | 15.9% |
| Georgetown | 8,565 | $56,981 | $168,100 | 22.1% | 21.9% |
Population Overview
Lancaster is a small city located in South Carolina, within Lancaster County. The total population is 8,921. It ranks as the 70th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lancaster is 40.4 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lancaster is $46,311. This is 33% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.2%. This is 50% 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 9.6%. This is 97% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $239,100. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 50.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lancaster is Black or African American, making up 45.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 40.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.9% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.4% vs 7.4%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
21.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 80.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, South Carolina?
Lancaster, South Carolina has a population of 8,921 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lancaster, SC?
The median household income in Lancaster is $46,311, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lancaster, SC?
The poverty rate in Lancaster is 21.2%. This means approximately 1,874 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lancaster, South Carolina?
Lancaster's population is 40.3% White, 45.9% Black, 11.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lancaster, SC?
The median home value in Lancaster is $239,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Lancaster, South Carolina?
21.1% of adults (25+) in Lancaster hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.