Laurens city, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Laurens city is a small city located in South Carolina. The total population is 9,307. It ranks as the 66th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Laurens city is 42.2 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 13.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Laurens city is $55,207. This is 17% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.0%. This is 55% 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 2.5%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $139,800. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $236,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Laurens city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 45.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Laurens city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 34.6%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.

Education

15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 80.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Laurens 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.